When you have three rescued male dogs over 70 lbs each, you pick up a few things about dog behavior, not the least of which is getting along in a competitive (dare I say, dog-eat-dog) environment.
Allow me to introduce my teachers, Obie, Morgan and Willy. Maybe you'll pick up a few useful kibbles of wisdom.
Sniff First, Then Growl
I live on a country road with a lot of "nature" around, like bunnies, fox, deer, skunk, frogs, cats and woodchuck. I can tell when one these critters is outside because Willy, who has deemed himself my personal bodyguard, will get up with his ears perked and run to a door or window to check it out.
Most of the time, he decides the threat is low and he goes back to laying on his bed. Bunnies are a low threat. Once in a while though, a backyard intruder warrants a low growl. When I hear that growl, I know something is up. It's usually deer or skunk. Once, it was someone on the property.
The point is that Willy doesn't just growl for anyone or anything. He checks it out first - who is it, what are they doing and are they any danger?
You all know those agents (or people in general) - they're the little yappy dogs of the human world always looking for a fight. You don't call an agent within 5 minutes of your showing for feedback (the horror!) or you bring them an offer based on comparables (but they're still insulted!).
When Someone Bites You, Don't Hold a Grudge
Morgan is the best at this. Despite being bitten by Willy (for entering Willy's crate when he was guarding a bone) and other such abuses, Morgan always shakes it off. Literally - he just does a quick shake and he forgives Willy for any growl, bark or bite as evidenced by taking every opportunity to sit next to or play with Willy.
And he must have forgiven people, too, for leaving him locked up in a tiny crate for the first 10 months of his life because he is a very sweet dog to people.
I need to follow this advice more often. It's so easy to hold a grudge against someone for some slight (for example a family member who used another agent or another agent who insulted you). Morgan says, "Move on, people."
Praise and Treat Often
Every time my dogs go to do their business, I give them a biscuit. I'm so consistent that just opening the cabinet brings my dogs to the back door. They love treats - who doesn't.
For people (and pets) that help us or just make life a little easier, we need to remember to say "thanks."
I've written thank you letters to:
-A police officer who was investigating a crime near my home.
-An installer from the water company who took the time to explain my new water meter to me and who found a problem that I didn't even know I had.
-A woman who consistently greeted me at dog day care every day, ensuring that I was in and out very quickly.
-My hairdresser for changing my hair color to a color I didn't know I would like but she knew I would.
Heck, I feel great writing those letters and typing about them now so I can just imagine that the people who received them felt pretty good, too.
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