1 Think Like a Dog When people meet, they exchange handshakes. When two dogs meet, they sniff each other. Same idea - totally different approach.
Person-to-person or dog-to-dog, different communication styles are used. We rely on the spoken word; dogs depend on scents and body posture cues. To bridge this communication gap and truly talk to dogs, you need to learn Dogspeak. That means you need to start thinking - even five minutes a day - like a dog. Put yourself in their paws for a moment. This is one of the best ways to pamper your dog.
Learning Dogspeak
Use these translation tips to keep yourself from committing a canine faux pas.
Dogs need to know where they rank in the family. They can be content to rank dead last as long as you consistently act like the leader of the pack. Few want to be pack leaders. Most want to feel safe.
Dogs "speak" in a rich vocabulary that consists of body language, vocal sounds, eye contact, and behavior. So, don't just listen to your dog's bark. You'll get his true message when you factor in body cues.
Pay attention to your tone more than your words. Dogs respond to intonations and body language. "Good boy" spoken in a harsh, low tone will be mistaken as a scolding by your dog.
Become a better "listener" by recognizing your dog's usual habits and expressions. Circular tail wagging is a friendly, let's-play signal among
Things We Can Learn from Our Dogs
We fill our days meeting work deadlines, maneuvering in traffic, and grocery shopping. What are priorities among canines? Let me illustrate with this anonymous gem found floating on the Internet:
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- If you want what lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Take naps and stretch before rising.
2 Bone Up on Your Bonding
Survey says . . . 90 percent of people consider their dogs to be full-fledged members of their families. Seventy-six percent feel guilty about leaving their dogs at home while they go to work, and 64 percent mention news about their dogs in their holiday cards. These statistics are encouraging, but we can improve the percentages by tightening the bonds we have with our dogs.
Bonding Like a Pro
Dogs are attracted to people who act in charge. Display an air of confidence. They look to you for clear direction and guidance. Don't be wishy-washy or deliver conflicting commands.
Practice unconditional love for your dog. Pamper her with lots of cuddling, friendly chatting, and playing. Give your dog your undivided attention in 5-minute spurts throughout the day.
Create a dog scrapbook starting with the first day your dog arrived at your home. Include photos, paw prints (my, how big you've grown!), and fun memories of adventures and events you shared. Sit down with your dog and paw through the pages together. He may not understand your words, but he will certainly know you're praising him.
Deliver plenty of verbal praise in an upbeat voice: "You're a great dog, a truly great dog." And don't forget to grin.
Stick to a routine as much as possible. Dogs are creatures of habit. Feed your dog at the same time each day. Try to take her on walks at scheduled times. A household routine helps make dogs feel more secure.
Did your dog win best of show for her looks or abilities? Why not spend that prize money by showering your winner with treats or toys? Or donate the prize money to your local animal shelter or favorite nonprofit animal organization.
Stage an event in your community that spotlights dogs. Arrange an annual Bark in the Park day in which dogs can be treated to pet massages, dog portraits, and fun games, such as musical chairs. Solicit participation from area animal shelters and pet product vendors.
For the TV-viewing dog, rent tail-wagging favorites from your video store. Not sure? Try these canine classics: 101 Dalmatians, The Adventures of Milo and Otis, Beethoven, Benji, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, and My Dog Skip. Also record pet shows on television. Animal Planet is my pal Mollie's favorite show - paws down!
Wear a lot of bright green or red clothes. These Christmas colors are the most visible hues to dogs.
Give you dog a pet name or two, or three. A friend of mine calls her Beagle (formally known as Daisy) "Boo Boo Bear," "Daisy Mae," and "Sweetie Pie." Daisy answers to all these affectionate terms.
3 A Home Fit for a Dog
Your home can also be your dog's castle - without a lot of renovation or expense. When you think about it, most dogs spend more time inside the house than you do, so they deserve some pleasing decor perks.
Play Decorator
Strategically place some comfy rugs on hardwood or tile floors to cushion the pressure points of napping dogs.
Open the blinds to allow warm sunshine to pour in and to give your dogs a good lookout spot for watching what's going on outside.
Why should cats get indoor bathroom facilities and not dogs? Some dog-conscious folks have created clever options for doggie bathrooms. There are doggie litter boxes available that are ideal for house training a puppy or providing relief for a senior dog with a weak bladder. One of my favorite inventions is a nifty portable toilet for the balcony - or anywhere inside the house - called the Patio Park. It features a 2- by 4-foot base, two strips of real grass sod, and a 22-inch-high splash guard that is easy to clean. Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to assemble, and the sod for this self-irrigating device can be replaced monthly. Inventor Joni MacLaine created this portable potty for her aging dog Sugar, who has bladder problems. For more information, contact the Patio Park company toll free at (877) 600-7429 or tap into its Web site: www.patiopark.com.
Drape throw blankets or cotton sheets over sofas and recliners so that your dog can snooze without depositing a mountain of hair on your upholstery.
Take away temptation by stashing kitchen garbage in heavy-lidded containers or inside a latched cabinet.
Keep a toy chest for all your dog's playthings. Bring out a few at a time to keep your dog occupied but not overwhelmed by the selection.
Place a dog bed in a busy area of the home, such as a corner of the kitchen or living room. The bed is your dog's refuge, but it also keeps her within sight of family activities inside the home. Dogs are social animals and don't like isolation.
Invest in a vacuum cleaner that has beater bars. This feature effectively sucks up fleas and fur. If you suspect you have a flea problem, always take the vacuum cleaner outside and discard the bag in an outdoor container (with a lid) after each sweep through the house.
Keep loose change in narrow-necked bottles to prevent accidental swallowing and choking episodes. Stash earrings, rings, cuff links, and necklaces in fastened jewelry boxes out of paw's reach.
Place window stickers indicating the number of dogs you have to alert police or firefighters in case of an emergency, such as a house fire.
