An Exceptional Read

I just finished a very interesting book. I use the word interesting because it was not a story, but a scientifically based education on dog physiology, psychology, biology, other ologies, behavior etc… it is called Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz. She has a very clever way of explaining scientific study, research, theory and conclusion in a non technical way and weaving it into story like prose. She uses examples from her own relationship with her dog, Pumpernickel. She shares with us how to relate the information to our own dogs. I found myself connecting with what she was explaining and at times exclaiming “my dog does that”! She goes into careful detail regarding the physical make up of a dog, how they see, smell and hear. She explains how their senses are similar and different to ours. There is no way I am going to do justice to this book trying to explain it. What I can tell you is that I feel a deeper connection and understanding of my dogs by having read this.
I believe this to be the reason she wrote the book. The book centers around the idea of seeing the world through a dogs perspective. Only a dog can really do this, we can only infer, just as any other person cannot really see the world as we do. Consider when someone says to you “I know how you feel” and you think, how can they know how I feel? Sometimes it is even upsetting that someone “thinks” they understand your feelings when you know they really do not. Now consider when your dog does something you are unhappy with. We often jump to human like reasons the dog got into the garbage or destroyed an object. Many feel their dog is upset with them or being vindictive. Did they consider that maybe the garbage just smelled really good and it is in a dogs nature to find and eat the source of the really good smell? Did they consider that the texture and taste of the leather shoe was highly appealing to an animal who naturally chews? The book will make you stop and think before you create an anthropomorphic reason for every action your dog makes. I can now think a little more about what something is like from my dogs perspective and tailor my actions or reactions for my dogs benefit.
This book will not be for every one or even every dog lover. While she has written a much easier and much more fun read than the dry and technical dog behavior text book I am struggling through, she does include much study and research. If you are not one to find the nitty gritty of behavioral science interesting, dog related or not, you will probably not find this book as enjoyable. Or if you do not want to know that there may be other reasons your dog licks you other than the equivalent of a human kiss, you will not want to read this.
The author however, is clearly a dog lover before a scientist. She readily admits that she still applies some human like traits to her dog, scientifically based or not. She is offering a new, better way of looking at our dog, not trying to spoil all of our fun.

http://insideofadog.com/index.php

The Name Game

Since we are on the subject of names, let’s talk a little bit about what your dogs name means to you and to him/her. Think about how often you say your dogs name and for how many reasons you say your dogs name. Sometimes it is a greeting upon entering the house. You say your dogs name to call them to you, to stop them from doing something, to get them to do something and I am sure there are other times. Now let’s think about how many different tones and cadences we use. We can say their name in a high pitched excited voice, we can drag it out, we can sing and we can shout it. Do you find there are times when you say your dogs name and you instantly have their attention (you are probably in the kitchen or have something they want. And there are those times you call your dogs name and they ignore you completely (they are playing with another dog, happily munching on a bone or understand from your tone that you are not happy. Have you ever thought about all this name calling from the dogs point of view? They are hearing a sound that they understand to relate to themselves, but sometimes they hear it before you give them a treat and sometimes they hear it just before you give them a smack. How confusing and frustrating this must be. How is this affecting the relationship you have with your dog?
In my basic obedience classes, I teach all of my students the name game. This is where you say your dogs name and when they look at you, they get a treat. It is that simple. (I recently attended a seminar with a very highly regarded trainer and she too emphasized her version of the name game. This helped reaffirm to me that this is an important exercise). The point of the game is to be able to always get your dogs attention. If they think they are getting a treat, they are very likely to look at you, no matter what they are doing. The second part of this however, is once you have your dogs attention, let them know what you want from them. If your dog is doing something you do not want them to do, simply saying their name may get them to stop, but it was luck and your dog learned nothing from it. You need to say what you want. Luey… stop. Bailey… come. You will only hurt your relationship with your dog if you say their name in a mean voice (because you want them to stop, but fail to say so) and then continue to say their name in a mean voice and then use some type of physical touch to make them stop. From the dogs point of view, you said their name harshly and then did something unpleasant. What a dog takes from that is to fear their name. If you are trying to get your dog to “come” by only saying their name, they are going to tune you out after about the third repetition of their name.
An alternative scenario is giving your dog a command without getting their attention first. If the dog does not perform and you do not consider the fact that maybe they did not hear you, once again, you are going to speak harshly to the dog and physically manipulate them in an unpleasant way and they will not understand why. This does serious damage to your dogs ability to trust and want to be with you. Without this foundation of trust, everything you try to do with your dog will be that much more difficult. So grab some treats and get started on the name game. You gave your dog that name for a reason, you want them to love it. Such a simple and rewarding exercise will make your dogs day and keep that trust in your relationship. You can play this anytime you or your dog needs a little boost. It is an instant connection with your dog.

What's In A Name?

Dogism is obviously all about the uniqueness of your relationship with your dog. A name can be a large part of that relationship. There are times when you do not choose your dogs name, especially in rescue or foster cases. Usually though, you find the name is well suited. For those names that we do choose, there are defining factors that usually relate to what we are passionate about. My brother named his dog Lotus, a definite clue about his love for sports cars. Luey is partly a tribute to his mother’s name, Lu Lu. It is also a tribute to a favorite Tampa Bay Lightning player, Martin St. Louis (pronounce it like the French do, not the city in Missouri). When St. Louis scores, the classic “Louie Louie” by Richard Berry is played. Jason will tell you that is only part of the story. Yes, St. Louis is an excellent hockey player. Can I help it that he is a hotty as well?
Bailey is a tribute to my mother. She had chosen the name Bailey (after the irish cream, one her favorite special treats) for the Cavalier King Charles puppy she decided on after the death of her beloved Sheltie. She was never able to have her Bailey, so I believe she sent me one.

Sometimes, your dog chooses their name for you. We had a chow chow named Kodiak because he resembled a bear. My Aunt and Uncle once had a Ryder after finding their puppy was a “good rider” in the car. You never know where inspiration will strike.
This is clear by the top dog names of 2010. It is not a surprise that people would name there furry friend “Buddy” or after the King himself, Elvis. I must admit, I did not see “Oprah” as a top dog name. 15 years from now, you can use this list to remember the pop culture of the time. Maybe it is just me, but Lady Gaga does seem a more fitting name for a dog than a person…

There are no rules or judgments (shame on me) when it comes to naming your dog, as long as it is all part of your dogism.

See the top dog names of 2010 at dogchannel.com