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The Rating Game

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Doggone Etiquette—

The Rating Game

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

How do you rate your VIPeople? Do they come to let you in when you give the bark (or scratch) signal at the door? Do they take you for a walk when you ask, or do they refuse even when you bring them the leash? Do they give you really special treats when you’ve done something very clever, or are you just offered the same old dog biscuits you’re given any old time? Do you rate one VIPerson in the family as the best-of-the-best? That’s okay, by the way, because most dogs do have a favorite who rates a “top ten” for everything. But keep working on the others in the family.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

On that scale of one to ten, where would you fit in on it if your dog is keeping score? Do you come when you’re called? Certainly you expect your dog to do so. Do you take Rufus for regular walks, or only when you happen to feel like it? And about meals — do you put down his dinner at the same time, in the same place, every day? As for the water bowl, do you keep it filled with fresh water so the poor dog doesn’t have to lick through a layer of dust to quench his thirst?   

It’s a good idea for us dog owners to sit back and rate ourselves once in a while, strictly from the dog’s point of view. We are apt to spend a lot of time evaluating the dog’s behavior and how it fits into our lives, not how we fit into his. Take the business of meals, for example. Rufus has no choice — he depends on you for what he eats as well as when and where he eats it. Keeping him uncertain can cause him to feel anxious and insecure. Fresh clean water is an obvious need for good health. It’s important to keep Rufus away from any puddles and all stagnant water, especially with all the rain and floods we’ve had.  

There are plenty of other things that need to be included in this rating game. For example, how’s your sense of humor? Do you laugh like crazy when you call the dog umpteen times only to discover he’s been sitting in back of you — with a big smile on his face? Are you amused or angry when Rufus moves his blanket (which is meant to keep his end of the couch clean) onto the floor nearer to the heat outlet? How about when he brings you a toy to throw — do you give in, or are you almost always too busy with something else?                        

Now, be honest about this one. Do you nag? Can you let it go at one “No!” or do you cuss him out for five minutes while you clean up whatever the dog has gotten into? Do you acknowledge the fact that the dog has tuned you out right after that first verbal correction? Or do you mistakenly think Rufus is ashamed and is being apologetic as he cringes away from you? Dogs don’t apologize, but after you calm down they will try to worm their way back into your good graces, which works to everyone’s benefit.

Stop and give it some serious thought. As a dog owner, where would you rate yourself on that scale of one to ten?

Until next time — BE GOOD!

—Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.

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