Dogs Are So Adaptable

I suppose this post will upset some people. I do not mean it to. My observations in this case are not scientific but rather just based on my experience, so I hope you will just take it as an interesting read…

So what? Dogs are adaptable. Why would that upset me?

We take in board and train dogs as part of our training programs here in Austin. We only take in one maybe two dogs at a time because it is not about the boarding but about the training. The dogs we take in for training live with us just like they were one of our personal dogs so they are really a part of our family.

Every time we take in a dog, I am impressed and a little amazed how quickly they adapt to our personal dogs; our [small] house; and our routines. I think we all try to think our dog is our dog and he would be miserable without us. – yes, this is the part that will upset some people- However, my observations show this not to be the case. This upsets me a little too because I would be miserable without my dogs. I believe that over the centuries dogs have learned to adapt to changes in their human’s world. They live in the moment, and if they feel safe, fed, and maybe a little love and/or attention a dog usually adapts very quickly.

This is not to say that dogs don’t get stressed with change. Many do! Especially if the change is too dramatic. An example would be going from an inside dog that is part of the family to going to an outside dog. Or going from getting lots of attention to getting very little. Or going from not sleeping in a crate to being forced into a crate (or going from a crate where he feels safe to going without). But if the change is only in location and human and much of the rest remains similar then most dogs really do take it in stride.

Within one, maybe two nights, the dog has selected their new sleeping place, a sleeping schedule, feeding schedule and accepted and often embraced the hectic life of living with two dog trainers where the hours at the new home and in the car and at parks, etc are different every day. They don’t mope around the house, but rather they usually embrace their training and new playmates and humans and, well, act like dogs! It is too bad some of us are not as comfortable with change and with living in the moment.

On of the things I love about being a dog trainer is I get to learn from dogs every day!