What Does Your Dog Do?
 Have you ever seen the New Yorker cartoon by Sam Gross that has a dog coming into his home with a briefcase under his arm? In the background his owner is sitting having tea with company and the caption reads, "He's a working dog, but I don't know what he does."
We love this depiction, it is very funny, but unfortunately it is also true for so many owners. What does your dog do for a living? Or rather, what was he or she bred to do? Even dogs of mixed heritage are of a certain breed-type such as collie mix, or terrier cross and therefore possess a propensity for one activity or another. And in today's society most dogs are unemployed. With all that unharnessed energy sometimes the things that get dogs in the most trouble are natural inclinations with no appropriate outlet. Think of the Border Collie herding children in the back yard, or the Corgi nipping at people's heels, or chasing bicycles. Without the opportunity to do this, some dogs resort to this instead.
Chances are you could find an activity more fetching than fetch to pass the time with Fido. Providing an appropriate outlet for your dog's natural skills will help her to be calm at home because she's fully satisfied from a hard day's work and it will also increase your bond in a unique and challenging way.
Even a monthly activity will likely take the edge off of your dog's working desires. The rest of the time be sure to give your dog a job before going off to yours each day so your unemployed canine keeps busy and productive in a healthy way in your absence.
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Forget A Bone, Give Your Dog a Job!
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