Dogs Don't Drive

Sundance: Why do people treat dogs like humans, feeding their excited dominant mindsets? We dogs don't know how to read books, wear dresses, drive cars, make dinner, or perform surgery. These activities would make us MAD! Yet this past week we were called on to help alleviate dog problem behaviors and I see the same typical symptoms and signs: treating us like we're human. 

James: Some people do not know know how to differentiate from emotion and need. There is a whole generation of humans with unstable minds. Humanizing can come from a nurturing behavior and it's sometimes difficult to break the emotional chains. Dogs live moment-to-moment and are  ten times likelier to change than humans.  Lots of people shut down and create an environment where they do not block negative energy properly. You are my grounding device, Sundance. You have taught me to become a better leader and use my senses, rather than conducting myself with an agenda or following my whims. 

Sundance: I know this! BUT why do humans insist on anthropomorphizing us? We are not the teenage anthropomorphizing ninja turtles.

James: Okay! Here where the problem lies. Humans coddle their dogs TOO MUCH! Humans want what is best for them and if they accomplish this through putting clothes on a dog then treating the dog's mind likewise, then the human feels fulfilled. This is not necessarily what the dog needs. Many of the pictures I take of you are evidence of humans fulfilling their own needs. As if you needed a froggy and ducky doll to nap with and wake up next to.  

Sundance: I have learned through you and Mama that dogs need to remove physical energy before they can remove mental energy. This is done with exercise. Why do some owners feel they can provide exercise with only the use of a backyard or dog-park?

James: The nature of an animal is to walk with his master or with a pack of other dogs. And this particular problem involves a lack of identification with a dog, not over-identification. If the human imagined living life with the physical limits they put on the dog (never leaving the property) the human would realize how frustrating that is. If dogs are not allowed to pack-migrate, they will become frustrated. When a dog is not given substantial daily exercise, problems arise that can be costly. 

Sundance: Costly problems? 

James: Dogs are emotional animals, but not in the way we think of humans as emotional. They read energy and observe mother nature constantly. When they come to us at eight weeks or as adult dogs they still need rules, boundaries, and limitations. The position of your leadership must be greater than the position of a downward dog yoga pose. The greatest problem I see regularly is not the behavior of the dog, but that of the owner. Owners only want what is best, and this is a kind, humane trait. However, the best thing for the psychology of a dog is to give him a solid foundation with daily exercise, discipline and affection. Always in this order. If not, you get a dog who is bashful and covers her face with her paws at picture taking. 

Sundance: There have to be more reasons people humanize us.


James: There are. It can come from mothering-needs, empty-nests, loneliness, imbalance, psychological problems, immaturity, or selfishness. But most of the time it comes from simply not knowing. People don't see where they are breaking Mother Nature's patterns; they do not see when they are denying the dog by providing for themselves. They do not see when they are spoiling a dog to its own detriment and creating a monster. But they want to learn, so you are here to teach them. Thank you Sundance!

Because Dog Loves You.

There's a reason that Dog is the backwards of God: it has everything to do with unconditional love. All the other animals have conditions. Especially cats. But dogs are faithful to a fault. They love the bad masters, the selfish owners, the lazy owners, the immature owners, the ignorant owners. They don't just love them, they adore them. Even when it hurts. 

Dogs are happy with their owners all the time, every day, every moment. If the owner is feeling self-pity, dog still loves. If the owner is mourning, dog still loves. If the owner made a huge mistake, dog is still there wagging and laughing at life. If owner failed miserably, dog says, "let's play!" 

Yet dogs are still sensitive. They respond to tears with love, no matter who is crying or why. 

Dogs know love. Love, that thing that sees imperfections and loves the imperfections. Your dog will tell you when your being an idiot, one way or another, but Dog won't judge you harshly or love you less. Dog never gets angry. All those annoying selfish habits you have that other people just can't stand, Dog sees through them to the real you. That's love.

Dog never says, "Let's take a break." Dog never says, "You're too much. Go away." Even when you are too much, even when you're doing everything wrong. Yes, if you're imbalanced, Dog will be imbalanced, but Dog never loves you less or ceases to love the good parts of you because of the bad parts.

And the silly things you do? The things that don't make sense to other people? The ticks you have, the disorders, the tendencies, the "issues," Dog doesn't let them get in the way of life: Fun, Food, and Sleep. 

See, that's the thing. Dog knows what life is, even when you don't. Life is fun, food, and sleep. It's not parties or drinks or FB friends, it's moving your body the way it was meant to move. It's not the cost of your car, it's where it takes you. It's not your a job or not having a job, it's about living every moment and having fun with whatever the moment brings us. 

And then sleep. There's always sleep. Dog knows that those hours of re-charge are a huge part of life. Humans treat sleep like the enemy, seeing how much they can avoid it, purging and bingeing on sleep. But dogs know that tiredness is a sign: sleep. And that sleep is an ally. All the good things come after sleep: exercise and fun and food. Dogs know that waking up is the other best part of the day! Then the fun begins!

Silliness: People forget that it's okay. They're embarrassed. Partly because everyone has a different definition of silly. But Dog knows that "silly" is whatever you do that doesn't make logical sense. And they embrace it completely. 

Then there's service. Dog is self-sacrificing, but in a way that doesn't feel life sacrifice at all. They don't play the martyr role. When Dog has to do something for you, Dog does it whole heartedly. Dog sees how fun your idea was! Dog is happy and eager to do whatever pointless drudgery you have set out upon. And Dog WANTS to. Because Dog Loves You. 

And that's the beauty of it. That's why humans have to live ten times longer than dogs: it takes us that much longer to learn how to love. We love you, Dogs, thanks for teaching us how to love unconditionally. 

Kids and Canines

Topic: Child-Dog Psychology

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how children relate to dogs.

Ethan & Sundance

Sundance: These small humanoids running around, what are they? Why are some so good at understanding dogs, and some are terrible at relating to dogs?  

Ethan & Skuzum

James: These are children. The puppy version of humans. Some are more in-touch with nature, and others, despite their young age, have already been de-natured: they've been re-programmed to think that animals are quite foreign and unnatural to humans. 

Sundance: That's the silliest thing I've ever heard. Humans would be extinct without animals. And it's been a very long time since humans haven't had domesticated animals, well, besides the last few confused decades. So that's why some children approach me without any common creaturely courtesy?

James: Yes. It is sad, and dangerous. 

Sundance: I saw a child putting her hands in a dog's face, and the dog looked very uncomfortable. 

James: I would too! That's as close to slapping a person upside their head, instead of giving a proper handshake. There is an etiquette to everything we do, but unfortunately this has been lost somewhere like a child in the woods.

Sundance: And one time I saw two boys grabbing a dog from behind, and the dog thought they were other dogs mounting, and the dog was so uncomfortable. The boys didn't respond to normal dog-language, so the dog had to growl. How is it that these puppy-humans don't know about polite behavior?

James: It is because their parents don't know about polite behavior. The parents are afraid to preform natural human-child versions of the growl-and-snap; they are afraid of hurting the child. What they don't know is that love still shares consequences. 

Skuzum and Sundance

Sundance: Of course love shares consequences! Who would ever think it doesn't? My dog-mama taught me from as far back as I can remember not to nurse too harshly, and my puppy-siblings yelped terribly loud when I played too rough, so I learned fast. And Skuzum, my cat brother, didn't hesitate to share his boundaries with me. I learned cat-language very quickly: a hiss does not mean play, it means go away. All my dog friends and I have boundaries, and we help teach each other what's out of line through simple communication. 

Lesson learned!

James: But you dogs stay in the moment. You don't hold on to the uncomfortable moment, you let it go. That makes confrontation easier for you. You live in the moment, so there are never hard feelings, grudges, or fear. You move on. Humans on the other hand dwell on the discomfort, nurture it, punish themselves with it, and then what was once simple communication turns into an ordeal and ends up on the internet, where it becomes viral for all to see and comment on.

Next day.

Sundance: I'm so glad I'm a dog. What should people do to make human-puppies that know dog language? 


James: One solution that was brilliantly recommended to me was to conduct puppy-human/puppy classes. A sort of human-kinder-canine course for children. Since parents either weren't taught themselves or are too busy to recognize when a child may be a bit rough with a puppy or adult dog, you and I can offer some assistance and consultation.  

Alexia, Sundance and infant

Oranges or Apples?

Topic: Choices and Decisions: Need and Desire

In this week's dialogue, James, Alexia, and Sundance will discuss how to find the right match for you and your loved ones.

Stewart

Sundance: How do you know when a match between an owner and a pet is the right match? I've noticed many dog owners with concerns about their pet's behavioral patterns.  This seems to be a recurring problem with a lot of first-time owners. Are there some early signs that can offer humans valuable information about which pet not to choose? 

James: I am so glad you asked the previous questions, Sundance. Finding the right match-dog for a household is important. But there's a difference between need and desire. A slower, older owner needs a slower, low-energy dog, to match the dog's needs. A marathoner needs a high-endurance dog (and the dog needs that owner). But when an owner stands before an array of puppy-dog eyes in cages, they forget about needs, and revert to desire.  When you, Sundance, are presented with foods that won't benefit you, you don't choose them. If I offered you a selection of lettuce, oranges, milk, soy, or steak, you would sniff it all and choose the option that would nourish your body for it's individual needs--steak, because you are balanced. Imbalanced dogs (or labs) would eat it all, feeling only desire, urge, and longing. Knowing this about you, I am certain your ability to read what suits your needs is much better than a human's. Your ability to meet your needs far exceeds a human's ability to make a sound choice.


Sundance: So people shouldn't just walk into a shelter and pick what they fancy like it's a candy store?

Shelter Dog

James: Choosing a puppy or adult dog takes a little know-how. The best sign to look for is a dog's energy. Not his size! Not his  cuteness! Not his independent nature! And definitely NOT his pedigree! A new owner must learn to read the spirit-energy as well as the physical energy requirements and output of the dog, and match that with their own needs. And an owner should never select a dog for these reasons:

"I want this dog because he is so big and he can protect me." 

"I want this dog because he is so cute and he hides in the corner and bothers no one."

"I want this dog because I think he will help me loose weight."

"I want this dog because he can fit in my Gucci bag."

"Look at his eyes! He needs me to rescue him!"

You see, Sundance, I want a dog to succeed! I want an owner to succeed! While it's sad to see a dog and know it will be put down, it is more sad to adopt a dog and then have to give it up a month later. I want a dog to be with the right owner. I would never try to squeeze a square block into a triangular hole. Unfortunately, there is a handful of new dog owners who think un-matching dogs is the new cool trend. Like the little old lady with the Rottweiler, or the hipster with the pitbull. If you want contrast and to throw off expectations, get a contrasting vehicle or tattoo. Don't subject another living being to your trend-following. 

Sundance: So humans really need to be ready to fulfill a dog's needs? Not just give every dog the same food, water, bone, and backyard to play in plus a quick walk every few days?


James: Right. Dogs are the animals with the most diverse breeds. Not only do they need different foods, and different amounts of water at different times, but they need different activities.

Kobe

Sundance: So, kind of like humans need variety? But so many humans are so happy to just be in front of the TV.


James: Dogs are not human, and humans need to begin by understanding the psychology of a dog. It takes time, persistence, and a consistent investment to train a dog. 
I have worked with many dog owners who have unfortunately adopted or purchased a dog based on emotion. Oftentimes this approach has ended with the owner spending lots of time and money on training, and then questioning their choice. 


Sundance: But some dogs, like me, are just so cute, it seems like nothing else matters. Anyone would want me, even if they couldn't give me the three to four miles of running I need every day.

Skuzum, James and Sundance

James: Well, a person shouldn't choose a spouse based only on looks. A person shouldn't marry someone to rescue them. A person shouldn't marry, adopt, or move in with someone without checking up on the person's background and traits first. And adopting a dog is like marrying: it's painful to end such a relationship. Our choices matter. 


Sundance: Wow, that's some heavy stuff.


James: Are you referring to what I just said, or the poopie-bag in my hand?