 GUILTY ANYONE?
by Michael Chill
I went to the home of a young couple who had an 11-month-old
female golden retriever. Their complaint was that the dog was destructive - not
unusual for a dog her age and breed. We went over several solutions, all which
were doable and understood by the couple. Towards the end of the consult, the
man made the comment, "But she makes me so mad! She knows it's wrong, but she
still does it!"
I couldn't let a comment like that go. He was misinterpreting his dog's
reactions and then getting frustrated over it. I explained that "she doesn't
know she's done something wrong; she simply has an association with the trash
being torn up with your anger." That explanation didn't make sense to him.
"That's the same thing. And, yes, she DOES know that she has
done something wrong, and I can prove it to you. When I get home, if she is at
the front door, wagging her tail and happy to greet me, I know that everything
is fine. If, when I get home, she is not at the front door, I can be sure that
something is destroyed, usually the trash in the kitchen. That PROVES that she
knows she's done something wrong! She even acts guilty!"
I tried to explain again that she didn't really know she did
anything wrong, and that she merely had an association with his anger when the
trash was destroyed, and that anticipation of punishment was not the same thing
as guilt. I went on to explain
more of the behavior, but I obviously wasn't doing a good job of it. Although
both he and his wife appreciated the solutions I gave them for the destruction,
none of us were satisfied with my attempts to explain their dog's reactions. I
kept talking, trying to put it in different ways, but was still unable to
articulate what I knew was really occurring.
In cases like this one, the explanation of her behavior
wasn't important to the solutions for the problem, but I felt it was very
important for their understanding of their dog. I also know that, had I been
successful, he would have been much less frustrated. But I finally had to drop
it, feeling as frustrated over my inabilities in this instance as he was over
his dog's destruction.
A few weeks later, the man called my office and the first
words out of his mouth were, "Okay, you win!"
I was thrilled to hear this! Not only do I love being right,
I hoped that how he came to understand what I was trying to explain would help
me better illustrate this concept to others.
"A little while ago, my wife and I were in the kitchen. Our
dog was with us and everything was fine. I bent over to take the trash bag outside.
It broke open and the garbage fell onto the floor. My dog looked at the
garbage, looked up at me, tucked her tail and ran out of the kitchen! Right
then, what you were trying to say came into my head; she hadn't 'known she did
something wrong,' because she didn't do anything wrong in this case. All she
knows is that when there's garbage on the floor, she gets yelled at!"
By Jove, I think he got it.
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 DEAR BERNIE
Well it's finally happened. The kids are home for summer vacation and
I thought I would love it but THEY ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. Yack, yack,
yack...fetch, roll over, play ball, let's go for a walk. Bernie, I
need down time...HELP
~ Pooped in Pasadena
Dear Pooped,
Well that didn't take
long did it? Most dogs would be thrilled to get all that attention
but you know...I can understand where you are coming from. I live
with a pack of puppies who just won't take no for an answer.
What your people have to realize is that you need some alone time
just like they do. Hopefully, you have a crate where you can go and
chill out without anyone bothering you. Kids should never be allowed in
your crate...it's your private den. (All it takes is for one toddler
to crawl into a crate and wake up a tired, sleepy dog and WHAM! Someone is going to start crying.) If you don't have a crate, then
ask your people to give you a corner of their room, with a nice comfy
bed, where you can relax and dream doggie dreams without some kid
tugging on your ear.
And there's only a couple more weeks till school starts! Hang in
there.
Happy Summer,
Bernie
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 Jean and Vince quietly take in rescues and help at adoptions and well,
they are just wonderful people. They are presently fostering Gnocchi
and Plumber. On July 30th they decided spontaneously to hold Poker for
Puppies to help raise money for Dawg Squad and with the help of West LA
Poker, we had an amazing turn out and a wonderful time.
It's people like Jean and Vince and their daughters who make the
Squad successful. Thank you to this wonderful family!
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GET YOUR TICKETS NOW
Bowling for Collars
October 3, 2010
Join the leagues of Dawg Squad supporters as they lace up their bowling shoes to raise money to help homeless dogs. Win prizes for skill and style. Amazing raffle and silent auction items, fabulous gourmet lunch.
$25 for an individual bowler
$100 per Lane (up to 5 bowlers)
- includes bowling, shoe rental and two games
Purchase your tickets:
call 310-674-0477, or
email dawgsquad@rocketmail.com
Visit the dawg squad website or our Facebook page
for more information
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RALPH'S COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTION PROGRAM
It's that time again!
PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW TERM
BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2010.
Thank you for supporting Dawg Squad while
visiting Ralph's supermarkets. If you are currently enrolled in the
Ralphs Community
Contribution Program you will remain active until August 31, 2010 BUT
you will need to re-register for
the new term at www.Ralphs.com
or by using the scanbar letter at the register starting September
1, 2010.
To sign up, follow these easy steps:
Once you have completed this step, each time you swipe your card at
Ralphs they credit our account with a percentage of your purchase.
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DOG OF THE MONTH
Meet ISAAC
This is a great little dog who just entertained a retirement home in
Phoenix on a special road trip.
Isaac is great with other dogs and
totally ignores cats. Love to play fetch? Then this is the dog for
you. His personality is EVERYTHING!
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SPONSOR A PET
IN Need
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a furry friend in need?
Make a donation to the Squad.
Your monies will go
directly to the food,
housing and medical expenses of your
favorite pet!
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