Don't anthropomorphize your canine!
For example, reaching down from above to pat your dog on the head could be perceived as a very scary thing by your dog. Now, probably all of us do that, don't we? But if you think about it, it makes sense that a huge creature (you, as viewed by your puppy) reaching down toward the puppy could be scary from the puppy's perspective. If not scary, then at least something that makes its heart race a little. So no wonder some dogs get excited and pee all over the place when that happens!
We as humans place a lot of emphasis on making eye contact. To your dog, direct eye contact is something to avoid. Dogs consider direct eye contact a challenge. It's really not fair for your dog for you to insist upon it. Respect your dog's hesitance to make eye contact, and understand where he is coming from. Who wants to constantly feel challenged or threatened?
Always try to take your puppy's viewpoint into consideration when it comes to your own actions. Soothing a puppy that is crying in her crate will teach her to cry in her crate. Same goes for a dog that is afraid of thunderstorms or of riding in the car. Indulging a puppy by letting it take over the house and do whatever it wants will lead to a puppy that "sasses" back, by growling.
Sometimes maybe we try too hard to make them fit into our world when what we should be doing is understanding theirs. A lot of the doggy behaviors that we don't like have a very understandable purpose in their world. Obviously you can't let your furkid run amuck, but try to understand that some things that we may consider bad manners or perplexing behavior have roots in survival instinct for the dogs with whom we choose to share our lives. Co-exisiting shouldn't be a one-sided denial of all things dog; there exists a happy medium where both man and canine may be fulfilled. For the sake of your dog's emotional health and development, please make an effort to find that middle ground!
Way to go, Dakota!
Dear Dixie, Just a note to say how thrilled & proud we are of Dakota!! I know Michelle was going to call you, so by now you know that he's been matched with a family and is going to be best buddies with his very own 12-yr-old boy. Dakota and this boy, Ben, had instant chemistry! I'm SO happy...you would've loved seeing them together, I'm sure. Ben was amazed that Dakota would obey commands from him and just spent the whole time playing with him while Mom & Dad asked questions & talked. Honestly, knowing what I do now about Type 1 diabetes & diabetes alert dogs, I have to say that I think Dakota is almost custom-made for this job...great nose, super smart, a nice size for a young child to handle, extremely people-focused...and that's just for starters! :-) If that were my child I would definitely want the safety net of a dog trained to look out for him. I am especially pleased that GDTx is providing training (the diabetes part they're contracting out, but a lot of it they're doing themselves), for the people as well as Duckie, and will provide ongoing 24/7 aftercare like they do for all their guide dog teams. This is what they do so well, and why I love volunteering for them...I know they'll take good care of that puppy we've worked so hard on, and ensure he's successful & happy. Perhaps one of the most special things about Dakota, that makes him such fun to work with, is the way he tunes in and seems to almost know what I'm going to do before I know it myself. I think that sort of empathy will really be a big key to his success. ANYWAY, I could just talk about him forever but I'll let you go... :-) Just had to share our excitement!! This family will be so blessed with him, I just know it! Thanks for being willing to do what you do. It's definitely making a difference in people's lives! Beth
I'm so proud of Dakota! As you can tell from above, he will be a diabetes alert dog for a 12 year old boy. I love it when these guys get to do what the breed was created to do, service dogs. Dakota was from the final litter of Alice and George (born May, 2008) and was selected by Guide Dogs of Texas for training as a service dog. I was honored to be asked to name him. Dakota, meaning "friend", is the name of my grandson. I am proud of them both!
Here is a photo of Dakota as a baby. This is the first thing I saw when I came downstairs one morning...Dakota, standing in the water bowl!
Here is Dakota's picture painted on the side of the Guide Dogs of Texas van. I love the puppy training vest!
Finally, here he is all grown up, looking sedate and beautiful.