DOGS NEED UNDERSTANDING BECAUSE THEY DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH NOR DO THEY HAVE A PRE PROGRAMMED SIM CARD Revelation : Dogs do not speak English or have Sim Cards for pre-programming!
I receive this call about every 3rd adoption, so I thought I would jot down a few notes. When a dog is adopted from us the expectation should be that the dog has been checked by us (really me) for sociability and temperament. The dog likely met one or more of my personal dogs who function as neutral animals for sociability testing. If they can meet and greet a new dog and new people, then I feel they have the temperament to be accepted into rescue. These are the basic facts I know about the dog besides his shots, chip number and neuter/spay status. Note, I do not ask the dog questions, (I have a don’t ask, because dogs don’t tell me, approach) I don’t make him perform the tasks and tricks he may or may not know and I surely can’t ask him how he feels about being in this rehoming predicament. The assessment that I do, like many other evaluators, is to determine the basic personality of the dog. I can see if he is food motivated, has a high ball or play drive, if he is hand shy or has any obvious quirks, but I can’t know what he knows, nor if he stable and able to be adopted out to a particular type of family. I base my family assessment on the dogs temperament being compatible with his new owners. This includes their age (of both the adopters and dog) and the activity level they have. I ask the owners about their experience but I don’t base adoption on the fact that they have had GSD’s or not in their past. I try and give them insight into the breed so that they are not blind sided by the dog being smart, clever, energetic, affectionate or even somewhat aloof. Once a dog leaves here, he may become a completely different animal because he is now going to get far more comfortable in his new home with loving parents. He will test boundaries. He will try and see how far he can push you to give hm what he wants, but he will also be able show you who he really is. By observing him for the first days of being home you will begin to see his personality emerge. During this initial time period you must begin immediately to establish rules and boundaries such that he has the direction from you (the alpha’s) to start off his life with the ‘rules of the road’ (your road). Your rules have to become what he adheres to, and not setting rules gives him the opportunity to make up his own rules, and then, as they become self rewarding, he will keep doing these behaviors whether or not you like them or hate them. Training establishes boundaries in your home and family and also is the key ingredient to bond with your dog. Training establishes an alpha bond so he wants to please you all of the time rather than being forced to comply. So the bottom like here is from the time you bring your pet home, provide training and guidance for him. Do not expect this dog to be Rin Tin Tin or Lassie from the moment he enters your life because you have not trained him to be those types of dogs. Be tolerant of his needs and allow the transition to happen slowly. Don’t expect that the dog can do things like, ask to go out, or, not bark or go to his place. Don’t expect him to know where he is, who your friends are, to accept the chaos in your home that he is unaccustomed to. Don’t think he will your address, your homes location or your back yard perimeter. Don’t expect him to know his name, because I probably just gave it to him a few days ago…or you named him in the car on the way home. Don’t create expectations for your pet that will disappoint you. Some basic cautions: Just because I vetted and evaluated your new pet, don’t have your family members or friends get into his face and or cuddle him, unless he comes to you for that. Don’t overwhelm him because he doesn’t know or trust you yet. Don’t attribute human traits to a dog because he is a dog not a human! Try to understand that a little training and affection (combined with some treats), barely 15 minutes in the morning and evening, will be the best ½ hr you ever spend. Get the dog into socialized training, as you agreed in the adoption agreement. Don’t wait to get your dog into the vet on a positive note to get him accustomed to the vets office and how he handles him. GSD’s are a super smart breed. They have the brains and intellect of a 4 year old child, and are at times smarter than their new owners. If you learn together and grow together, these dogs will be the best pets you have every experienced. If you don’t have a shop vac, get one. If you spend the time and give him love, direction and great care, you will have a fabulous experience learning and growing closer to your pet.
