On needing comfort
Beau has started this strange habit lately where he will pick up a little stuffed dog (or a rawhide, but it’s cuter when I talk about the stuffed puppy that my mom gave him) and he carries it around the house, without setting it down and without chewing on it. He walks around, looking forlorn and lost, and cries. It’s a very strange behavior and I honestly don’t know what to make of it. I think, though, that it has to do with the fact that he a) wants attention an b) needs comforting, especially on a day like today where the weather was weird all morning and then the storms came in torrential waves. He seems to becoming both more doglike every day, as well as more sensitive and bonded to me.
In Correlates this afternoon Dr. Beaver gave a wonderful lecture on animal behavior, particularly on the topic of socialization. Socialization is not, imprinting, however, the two serve similar purposes in that they are stages within the animal’s life in which they learn to behave like their own species (imprinting) and to get along with members of other species (socialization). In dogs, this critical stage occurs between 5-12 weeks of age, and it is the only point in a dogs life in which they can learn to make generalizations about members of their own and differing species. From that point onward, adjustment to a stranger occurs on an individual basis, which explains a lot about Beau. Dogs like him (considering his background is an important factor in his behavior) tend to bond strongly to one person, and all their time and energy is spent seeking the companionship of the “best friend.” It was an excellent lecture, and I took away some important points that all dogs owners should remember to keep in mind in the care of their canine companions.
First, dogs are social animals. In studies done in wolves, more than 85% of their time (about 20.4 hours) each day is spent in the company of their pack. For our domesticated canines, the humans (and other dogs in the household) are its packmates. Therefore, to isolate the animal from its pack is to change what it genetically and biologically expects, and this can cause unwanted behavioral problems. Why does a dog chew up your shoes? Not because it wants “revenge” on you for leaving it alone, or even because it thinks shoes taste good, but rather because when left alone, the dog must find a way to soothe its anxiety and fears about being isolated for longer periods of time - and its does this by chewing and entertaining itself however it must. Dogs with separation anxiety almost always have the common denominator of being left alone for unpredictable amounts of time. Which brings me to the point of how you can still have a dog and have an academic career (or other career for that matter) - by being predictable and habitual. The dog should know what to expect and by sticking to a set schedule, it knows you will come back for it, that it will not be isolated forever, that its needs will be met and that is a good thing for them. It’s a good thing for me, because my extreme habitualness actually helps keep my dog happy when I am away at school for 8 hours each day (although I do come home for lunch). Exercise and mental stimulation also play into the keeping-the-dog-from-boredom factor, and I will say that I also believe that good, consistent training and using the “nothing in life is free” school of thought also help the dog know its place in the hierarchy of the family and keep it happy and healthy.
Secondly, that dogs can overcome poor socialization with time and care. This is important for dogs like Beau because I have no idea where he came from, although in the state he came to me it is safe to say that even if he was socialized properly (doubtful), due to traumatic and repeated bad experiences, he became de-socialized and extremely sensitive in both an environmental and social context. I find it interesting that in the dog park, humans are to be approached, and he is openly curious about everyone he meets. He also often ignores most dogs here (he was taught by me to do this when on a leash, and inside the house), although a few will certainly pique his interest. This is an environment where he feels safe (requirement number 1 for his normal behavior) and therefore he feels safe to approach enemy No. 1. I also find it interesting that at my parents house, he will often approach my mother (although not regularly and not without some level of apprehension and fear), but that my father is completely off-limits. It goes to show that the old saying that dogs hate black people is technically true. Black people and not the same as white people in a dog’s eyes, just as fat people are different from thin people are different from thin people wearing hats or that walk with a limp. Dogs do not generalize well, and what they perceive to be normal is only what they are used to being around. Which explains Beau’s fear of men (although not all men, oddly enough) and of obese people. I swear, at the dog park, if an obese person comes in, Beau will bark his head off at them. It’s quite embarrassing. On this note, I would be interested to hear a scientific explanation behind the reason for Beau’s acceptance of my father when on the leash (although it is a reserved acceptance) and his complete non-tolerance when off the leash. I think it has something to do with my father’s threatening body postures (from a dog’s perspective) and Beau’s inability to realize my daddy is the biggest softie I know.
I think mostly, dogs just need the comfort of their pack. And then again, what human doesn’t need some comfort and companionship from time to time? Even reclusive and asocial people such as myself need a little interaction from time to time (notice I said asocial, not antisocial, which I also learned today are two very different things). Dr. Beaver also mentioned in her lecture that personality matching is a very important aspect of a good human-canine bond, and I think Beau and I are very well matched. We are both fastidious, anal-retentive and have a few quirky and abnormal fears that we just can’t seem to get over. I wonder how all this will change come June, and if it will really change at all? Undoubtedly so, but I am hoping that I chose another excellent companion who will fit well into the habitual and scheduled life that Beau and I have together. There is comfort in the habitualness of it all, both Beau and I seem to need a lot of that.
old stuff | Comment (0)Now seeking Oscar nominations
My first foray into making movies. Not really, just kidding. I was simply playing with the movie recording feature of my new Leica camera. Pretty fun. And iMove is not quite the devil I previously thought it to be.
Did I mention how much I love my dog?
I can’t wait until Fayette comes home. Ninety-one days!
old stuff | Comment (0)“You’re insane, but OK.”
I love my mother. Especially when she says things like that. And super especially when they are in reference to adding another dog to my life. As I am incapable of lying or being sneaky, I asked permission if I could adopt another physiology dog like Beau. And my mother said yes. My mother knows my nature because I am just like her, and she knows that even though the responsibility of having another dog is very great - especially with the special needs dog I have now - but she also knows that I can handle it because she handled having two dogs when she was younger. Even if they were smaller.
So I adopted another dog retiree from the physiology department at school. She is a sweet girl, about Beau’s size (70lbs) and a gorgeous example of a Bluetick Coonhound. She gave me kissed when I first met her and I was sold. I wanted a smaller dog, I wanted a quiet shy dog, but Fayette (perhaps to be renamed later) is a good mix between hyper and withdrawn. I know Beau will be fine because no matter what we are very deeply bonded and I don’t see that changing in the future.
Every night I have been reading to Beau from James Herriot’s Dog Stories, because Herriot is a man after my own heart who understands what true dog ownership is. In that it is not ownership, but rather a mutual agreement of happiness and loyalty, a deep trustworthy bond and enduring friendship. I know it’s sappy, but really I don’t think I have ever loved anyone or anything (other than my family) as much as I love Beau. He drives me nuts, he irritates the heck out of me sometimes - but every time I look at him, every time he curls up to sleep next to me with his head on my stomach, every time I come home and he just can’t contain himself - I can’t help but smile and feel wonderful inside for being able to cause another living thing such joy and contentment. I just don’t understand people who get dogs and don’t want to do anything with them, that they just want them to say they have a dog, to occasionally go for a walk and that expect a dog to be perfect with no work or time. The joy of the relationship with canines is in working with them, is in learning how to speak their language as they learn to speak ours and in learning what it really means to be responsible and trustworthy. Beau is never anxious or in need of anything because he knows that he will be undoubtedly rewarded for the things he does well, instructed to try again when he doesn’t quite do it right, and that I will always, always, always come back for him when I leave him alone. There is nothing more simple than that.
And now I will have two hounds running loose around the house, although not until I return from Germany in June. I am anxious and excited about the challenge that having two dogs will be, and I am looking forward to training and working with another dog that’s had a rough start and is only looking for some extra love in life. I can’t wait to hear what her voice sounds like (oh please be a deep aroo like Beau’s!) and I can’t wait to teach her that around me, she will always be loved and she will always be safe.
I see relationships with dogs in one way - that I give them my whole heart with no expectation of anything in return, and yet I get more and more each day. I just wish I could be a dog-only doctor for the rest of my life.
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