Is your dog fine? When clients tell me their dog was FINE at the groomer, FINE at the vet, FINE when accompanying them to a busy park, FINE when children are running and screaming…my question to them is, “What does FINE look like in that context?”
FINE can look like lots of things. It can represent so many different behaviors and emotions. And it can be interpreted and visualized differently by different people. Often though, when people tell me their dog was FINE, their dog was actually not FINE – okay, my interpretation of FINE anyway.
Here are a few ways I may define fine in dogs:
The dog had relaxed, loose body muscles, and was breathing normally.
The dog was actively engaging with those around him.
The dog could think clearly and focus on learning.
The dog could eat and take treats with the same soft mouth as he does at home.
Here are a few descriptions I have heard from other people:
My dog will allow people to approach him and pick him up.
My dog did not bark or lunge in the large event.
My dog let me take food or an object from him and did not growl at me.
These are very different pictures. Very different behaviors and emotions occurring.
We all are doing the best that we can with the information that we have. If you are not recognizing what your dog is communicating, you are not alone. And I know you still care a lot about your companion. See this as an opportunity to grow and expand your knowledge, so that you can help your dog to feel better about situations in the future.
Keep in mind that agency, or the ability to have control of the environment, decisions and life is important to any living being’s quality of life. Having a sense of safety is also important.
I encourage you to practice identifying what your dog is communicating. What are contributing factors? What can you change about the environment? What can you change about your interaction? What can you change about your expectations? What skills can you teach your dog that will be useful?
A qualified professional dog trainer or certified veterinary behaviorist can be valuable. Please reach out if I can be of help!
