My Year As A Dog. Part 3, in which I make a confession.

I had my 1st dog when I was 5. Suffice it to say, that was a very long time ago.

Every dog I've had since, has taught me some thing. Not the least of which is, how little I really know about dogs. I've done many silly, regretful things with dogs that I/we've had over the decades.

There was a time when our dogs didn't get walks every day because we thought a big yard was good enough. There was a time when we smacked our dogs [with rolled up newspapers - remember that?] for chewing things, not realising they wouldn't make the connection hours after the deed. There was a time when we depended wholly on commercial dog food and considered that a satisfactory diet. There was a time when we believed it was fine for dogs on leashes to say hello on the street. There was a time when we believed in de-sensitizing dogs to things they feared, rather than avoiding triggers. [Though I still believe de-sensitizing works in some instances.]

I did some of these Questionable Things decades ago. Some, in the last few months. Many changes in attitude were initiated by posts I'd read while dogblogging.

Here, as promised, are some of the fascinating things I've learnt this year. I've included the links so you can read them yourself, if you so wish.


*This is the post that most stands out for me. If you scroll down to the comments section of the post, you'll find out why.
http://kenzothehovawart.blogspot.com/2010/10/are-you-prepared-for-dog-fight.html

If you have a dog, you might want to read it. Even if YOUR dog is a pacifist, not all other dogs are.


*Some dogs love cars. Some dogs chuck up at the thought. Some dogs...well...they're like Georgia. Here's the desperation...
http://littledogsonlongleashes.blogspot.com/2010/08/things-i-am-learning-4.html

...that led to me sharing these posts with The Other Half...
http://willmydoghateme.com/pet-travel/auto-anxiety-part-1-canine-carsickness

http://willmydoghateme.com/pet-travel/calming-your-car-crazed-canine-part-2

...that led to this.
http://littledogsonlongleashes.blogspot.com/2010/08/rotund-ro-tund-adjective-1round-or.html

Aren't blogs da bomb?

I hasten to add that in the past month, Miss Pea has somehow managed to sneak into the front seat and is now QUIETLY learning how to drive. *sigh*


*I shared the story in this post with The Other Half as well. http://kenzothehovawart.blogspot.com/2010/11/small-fearful-dog-therapist.html

He promptly tried it out on a neighbourhood [in this case, XL] dog that has a habit of rushing out to the porch to lunge and bark at every passing dog [including Georgia]. What can I say? It worked. Both the XL dog and Georgia have calmed down.


*In late July or thereabouts, Georgia turned 2 and became a trigger-happy, angsty teenager.
http://littledogsonlongleashes.blogspot.com/2010/10/dogs-day-out.html

I was worried enough to seek advice from [who else] Group 1, and was directed to links such as these.
http://www.boulderdog.net/2010/10/07/how-do-you-help-a-reactive-dog/

http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/dog-dog-reactivity-ii-the-basics

Since then, Georgia has become much less reactive with dogs that bark and/or growl at her, and even with cats. She might give a little whine, but she mostly just walks by them. We're very proud of her!


*Thanks to posts like this one - 
http://www.dogspelledforward.com/on-leash-aggression-no-greetings

I no longer hesitate or feel bad about walking by or blocking a dog that "just wants to say hello". When I see such a dog approaching, I shorten Georgia's leash and make eye contact with the dog's owner so he/she knows I'm not interested in having the dogs meet. I find that shortening Georgia's leash often prompts the other dog owner to do the same. I now do this with all dogs that are not known to us. 


 *All of the links above gave useful and good advice. But I thought I'd share another one here that has nothing to do with that sort of education. You might already have discovered it on my blogroll. If you haven't, here it is.
http://indianpariahdog.blogspot.com/

Did YOU know there's a difference between a pariah and a mongrel? I didn't.

Here, at a site maintained by the same lady, you'll find other indigenous dogs from around the world. It's a fairly new site and still under construction.
http://www.indog.co.in/


*Finally, here's a current post that ISN'T really something I don't know [for a change]! But I think it's important to get the word out, especially if there are mums reading this blog. Yes, Ms Chapeuzinho. YOU would be one of them :)
http://www.boulderdog.net/2010/12/17/do-not-smooch-your-pooch/

You're not going to kiss me are you? Because I'm really NOT into that kind of stuff.You know that, right?

Oh yes! I mentioned in Part 2 that I'd learnt things, not only from Group 1, but also from being part of Group 4.

Here's what Group 4 has taught me.

Although it might sometimes feel that way [especially when we meet snarky people], Georgia isn't the only dog in the world that's a work-in-progress. Wherever we are in the world, the journey from ladette to lady is fraught with danger [and snarky people]. It may sometimes be frustrating and maddening, but it's always also exciting and interesting. Every baby step forward is something to be happy and proud about.

Best of all, it's a journey I now know I don't have to make alone.


Some lessons I've learnt from My 1st Year Of Blogging: THE SHORT VERSION.
1. All the above.