A recent tale from Karen B. London, PhD, columnist for The Bark and a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, was the basis for one of my recent City Paws newspaper columns.
London was working with Tucker, an eight-month-old German Shepherd puppy, who was totally enthralled with sniffing. Once she found that sniffing made Tucker happy, she designed opportunities for training and bonding that worked with a sniffer.
Remember Dash, Our Dashing South End Sunday Dog! He was a sniffer and was attending classes at the Animal Rescue League to follow his passion.
So, What’s Your Dog’s Bliss?
“For many dogs the fun and happiness is all about treats, and lots of exercise outside,” London wrote. “For others, it’s a tennis ball or nothing. Most love the opportunity to chew on bones and other dog-safe items intended for this purpose. A few simply want lots of loving—petting, massage and the opportunity to be up on the bed at nap time and at night.”
For Our Westie Poppy, bliss is playing with squeaky toys inside or sitting on a bench outside. Our little pup would squeak a toy non-stop for an hour if her human companions could stand it. Outside, if you ever see us swaying from side to side as we walk down Commonwealth Avenue Mall, it’s because Poppy is trying to encourage us to take a break and sit on a bench for a while. She loves bench time.
Diggers, Herders, and Retrievers
My terriers have not had a lot of opportunity to take up digging as a hobby because they’ve never had time alone outside. But, when we conduct pre-adoption home visits for Westies or Cairns, we warn prospective guardians with fenced yards that a terrier left alone out there will find a way under a fence. Digging is in their DNA and is a hobby they would love to explore.
From a harborside deck in Provincetown, I’ve watched people use a ball launcher to fling a target as far as possible for their relentless retrievers. The dogs have a merry chase. They gallop through the shallows and swim for yards to fetch their prize only to beg to do it again and again and again.
Follow Their Bliss!
As you think about fall adventures and holiday gifts for your dog, follow Dr. London’s example and figure out what you can do to really make your dog happy. Then, use that happiness to bond with and train your pal.
We'd love to hear about what your dog does for a hobby and what puts a wag in that tail and a grin on that face!
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2011-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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