ADVICE: The Common-sense dog

Dogs fill many roles in our lives.

In some circumstances, they are our companions. In others, they are our protectors. Sometimes they do a service to help us when we have a disability, or even aid us in our adventures like hunting or herding.

If we fit the job with the right dog, they enjoy it very much.

But what about when the dog is not ready for the job or task or station we assign to them? We see behavioral problems.

Not all dogs are equipped mentally, physically or emotionally to do the things we need them to do at the time we need them to do it.

Let’s look at some examples together.

Sometimes people buy, adopt, or rescue a dog and attempt to make it into a service dog despite the dog’s genetics or temperament. It’s not ideal for a fearful, anxious or aggressive dog to be a service dog. As a service dog, they need to be focused on their handler 100 percent of the time, and that is challenging for the most balanced of dogs.

When the task is too much for a dog, you might see more fear or anxiety in the long run. It’s best to work with a stable dog or make sure the fearful or anxious dog has been fully rehabilitated and made strong.

Sometimes people buy or adopt a dog for emotional support, but we don’t always take into consideration the mental health of the dog. If the dog is struggling with its own issues like fear or anxiety, is it really fair to press our own emotional insecurities onto them? Not all dogs can carry that emotional weight, and behavioral issues often start to develop.

Sometimes people buy or adopt a dog for protection, but not all dogs are prepared to be protective, and in order to activate the dog’s defense drive, we push the dog into fear or anxiety to create a response.

When dealing with behavioral dogs, it’s best to look at things through their eyes and decide what is truly a good fit for them. An anxious dog should not be an emotional support animal until their anxiety no longer exists. THEY need just as much support and guidance as the person they attempt to help. In that circumstance, they need a calm and confident leader to fully reach their potential.

A fearful dog should not be a service dog, at least not without rehabilitation first. THEY need help before they can help others.

I often teach my clients that we cannot continue to build levels of a house on a cracked foundation. We must first make sure the foundation is solid, and then we can move forward.

Always take the time to fill the mental and physical cracks in your dog before asking it to do any sort of job. You’ll both be happier in the long run.

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Stephanie Vichinsky is the owner/head trainer of Method K9 in Post Falls.

208-964-4806