Doggone Etiquette —

Is It Okay?

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

We know that there are lots of words your people say that confuse you. One of them is “okay” because you hear it all the time and too many times it means something different from the last time. You know what I mean – “let’s go for walk, okay?” or “I can’t take you with me, okay?” or “I told you not to do that, okay?” All seem to ask if you agree, or do not agree with what the person is saying, and being dogs, sometimes you do and lots of times you don’t. The problem for you dogs is to figure out how you are supposed to respond to each question – to bark, cower, or jump up and down. It would be so easy if you were just able to say “okay” back!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

There are so many ways we make use of “okay” in everyday conversation – with our dogs or with people. “It’s okay” is possibly the most overused, misapplied and misunderstood phrase said to a dog. Here are a few examples. No doubt you could come up with many more.

Rufus is barking his head off because someone is at the door. You know it’s your pal, so you tell Rufus “It’s okay.” So is it okay for him to bark like crazy, or do you mean it’s okay to quit because you happen to know who’s there?

You drop a pot on the kitchen floor and Rufus puts his tail between his legs and scurries out of the room. You tell him, “It’s okay.” What is okay – the fact that you dropped the pot, or that you frightened the daylights out of him, or that he fled the scene?

That brings up the thing that almost all dogs are alarmed by, and that’s thunder. It is a basic animal reaction to seek out a place to hide safely when they sense a thunderstorm approaching, and stay put when the thunder hits. Some dogs are a nervous wreck over it and some merely find a spot in the house where they feel safe to ride it out. But how many times their very good people blow up the dog’s reaction with that very same phrase, “It’s okay, Rufus.” What – to be scared to death, or to forage under a pile of shoes in the closet, or to scramble under a bed? You are in fact telling the dog he has your approval to be afraid and to react in whatever way he chooses.

We’ve been over this one before. If the dog is mildly upset over thunder, use a distraction such as turning on the TV or involve him in a game he enjoys, or even practice an obedience routine he knows. If he’s really panic-stricken and you have a crate for him, that’s where he will be most comfortable. Cover it so he feels hidden. Calmly go about your normal day and remind yourself constantly NOT to tell him that it is okay!

Now there is one thing that is definitely okay this weekend – St. Patrick’s Day! There’s the Irish Wolfhound, also known as the Gentle Giant, and the curly-coated fun-loving Irish Water Spaniel. The Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier is a sweetheart with a tendency to jump up to greet everyone. Better known perhaps is the Irish Terrier with a shiny red wire coat and a personality that sparkles. There’s a lesser-known Irish Water Spaniel with a curly water-resistant coat. And, of course, the lovely red Irish Setter, perhaps best-known of all the dogs from Ireland because he is a true family dog (although maybe a bit boisterous for youngsters).

Every dog may have a bit of the Irish in him, so bring yours out and let him join the celebrations. It definitely IS okay to be Irish for a day!

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.