Dog people: student explores dog etiquette

During the pandemic, I had the same thought as everyone else: I should get a dog. 

It was the beginning of 2021 and I had just been laid off. I was living in isolation with a healthy severance package and plenty of time on my hands, so I started researching dogs. I’d been following dog trainers online for years and I knew I wanted a big dog that would encourage me to walk and be outside. I found a reputable breeder for the dog breed of my dreams, and luck was on my side – there was a puppy that would be available as soon as August. 

A fun road trip later, and I had my sweet girl, Salem.  

It’s been two years of lessons since I’ve started this journey. My dog Salem is a purebred Dalmatian – she was bred for temperament and companionship. While we’re still working on high arousal and impulse control, she is a very sweet dog to hang with. No dog is perfect and active dogs will always require work. 

But here’s the thing: people don’t know anything about dogs. Since owning Salem, I’ve realized that there is a difference between dog people and people who own dogs. Additionally, I can tell exactly what kind of person you are based on how you act around my dog.  

While I am always working on training with my dog, I will never be able to “control” her. She is an individual with complex social and emotional needs. This means that she will always need to be acknowledged and included, especially when you’re in her home. But people don’t often consider this for dogs, and when I advocate for her needs, people have very little basis for understanding. 

Many dog trainers today will attest to the fact that people don’t understand dog body language, even some long-time dog owners. Additionally, many people don’t understand dog etiquette, especially when it comes to leashing and dog-to-dog introductions. 

Dogs are a lot of work, and what I’ve learned is that some people don’t have the patience to put in that work. And that’s okay, I can respect that and work around it. 

I just wish that people understood and had more compassion for their needs. There are times when Salem’s excited nature is pushed away and ignored and reprimanded, and it’s hard to get people to accept her as she is.  

I love my dog’s excited personality. I love that she is so happy to meet every new person, often showing them more affection than she shows me. I just wish other people saw that for what it is, instead of a behavior correction they don’t want to deal with.

For information on how understanding your dog can benefit your bond with your pet and their health, visit this site! http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-read-dog-body-language