Most of us have found humor in some pictures of dogs with signs proclaiming the specifics of their bad behavior, but that is largely because we can relate to the experience. Most of us have had a dog who did something similar, because so many of these behaviors are things that dogs do from time to time: urinating in an inappropriate spot, chewing something such as the remote control or the furniture, getting into the trash, jumping up on someone with muddy paws and drinking out of the toilet.
Laughing rather than crying over these little irritations of life with dogs has its proponents, but I’d rather people share stories without the photos, because dog shaming is not as harmless as many supporters of the practice claim. Many dogs are fearful and stressed in the pictures, perhaps because they are being scolded or are uncomfortable with the placement of the sign or the camera.
They sometimes exhibit submissive behavior that is misinterpreted as “looking guilty”. That is a problem because if people think that dogs look guilty, they are likely to think that the dogs know right from wrong in a moral sense or that the dogs really “know better” than to misbehave as they did. That can promote anger towards the dog, when what the dog most likely needs is more training and for the situation to be managed so the dog doesn’t have the opportunity to perform the undesirable behavior.
I was nervous when I saw the term “extreme dog shaming” in the title of this video from Late Night with Seth Meyers, but I largely enjoyed it once I realized that he had turned dog shaming around to poke fun at people. The confessions in the segment are examples of human behavior that other people generally frown upon. There is also a section in which Seth’s own dog mocks his famous guardian.
France’s first dog, Nemo, is a Labrador Retriever-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon mix that president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte adopted
There’s a new occupant in the French presidential palace — a Labrador Retriever-Wirehaired Pointing Griffon mix named Nemo.
The adorable pooch carries on the tradition of French presidents having a dog. Two-year-old Nemo was adopted by current president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, from the SPA animal refuge in Hermeray. Nemo was named for Captain Nemo, the submarine commander in the Jules Verne classic Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, reportedly one of Macron’s favorite books.
Nemo’s first diplomatic engagement was “helping” Macron welcome President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger. There’s a really cute video of the meeting on
the internet. I can’t wait to see more of Nemo’s First-Dog duties.
The holidays are right around the corner, but your dog is acting anything but jolly. He’s lost the jingle in his step. Gone is his ready-quick grin, the goofy barks and the jubilant dash to fetch a favorite tossed toy. Just like us, holiday stress in dogs can extend past the festive ushering of the new year.
Consider this: Your loyal canine pal is so tuned into you, your emotions and your schedule. But the comforting predictability of the household routine has been upended by your erratic comings and goings, the arrival of a large tree in the living room with don’t-touch ornaments, the smell of oh-so-tempting goodies from the oven and the not-so-welcomed appearance of strange and sometimes obnoxious people referred to as “relatives” by you. That’s a doggone lot to deal with, especially for your confused canine.
Look for these clues of holiday stress in dogs (although they could also be due to a health concern, so consult with your veterinarian):
Chewing up sofa pillows or comforters that he has left untouched before the holidays
Turning into a Velcro dog, shadowing your every step in the house
Piddling and pooping in the house after years of stellar potty habits
If you don’t address these behavioral changes, the doggie blues can continue after the holidays when you return back to work and the kids head back to school. This is especially true for highly social dogs who welcome the holidays because they know they will get more attention in the forms of petting, cuddling and, especially, treats from you and visitors. Suddenly, they find themselves home alone.
Whether you plan to take a holiday vacation sans your dog or intend to stay home and fill your house with lots of guests, Dogster offers these effective solutions to prevent Yule time from turning into yowl time.
How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re taking a vacation without your pup
If you plan to take a dog-free vacation, hire a professional pet sitter or take your dog to a reputable boarding facility. The choice depends on your dog’s health, age, temperament and experience with other dogs.
“Dogs who are shy, quiet and get intimidated by the presence of other dogs or loud barking will likely prefer to be at home,” says Leni Kaplan, D.V.M., a veterinarian at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “Dogs who can handle changes in their routines and environment, who are used to being around other dogs and especially those who go to doggie daycare are best candidates for boarding.”
In choosing a professional pet sitter, consider one who belongs to a professional pet sitting organization, such as the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Pet Sitters International. Members of these organizations must show proof of being licensed and bonded. This is not the time to save money by hiring the neighbor kid or an untrained house sitter.
“A professional pet sitter is prepared for emergencies and, in many ways, can be like Santa Claus to your dog,” says Joette White, president of Park Cities Pet Sitter in Dallas, voted the 2016 Business of the Year by NAPPS. “A pet sitter will feed, walk, play and love on your dog as well as pick up your mail, water the plants and take out the trash. We do all we can to let your dog know that he is loved and well-cared for during your absence. Plus, your dog gets to stay in his own home.” Boarding your dog — or taking him for doggie day care — are options if you have an energetic, social dog or one who acts up when there is a change in household routine.
“We get requests from people who know that the in-laws coming for the holidays don’t want dogs in the house or may be allergic to dogs or insist on bringing their dog who does not get along with your dog,” says Ash Vaughan, owner of Canine Republic Resort in Plano, Texas. His company was recently voted best boarding facilities by Plano Magazine. “We also get a lot of requests for doggie day care when people need a staycation at home or want their dogs in a safe place while they get the house ready for holiday guests.”
He advises that you scout out local boarding/day care facilities in advance and give your dog a “trial run” before the holiday to gauge his level of acceptance. His company offers a free day of day care during non-holiday seasons and encourages people to tour his center before booking a reservation.
How to ease holiday stress in dogs if you’re celebrating at home
If you plan to stay home for the holidays with your dog, here are some ways to save the sanity and fend off stress for you both:
Power walk with your pooch. Book time each day to take a daily brisk walk or run with your dog to stave off some of the holiday stress bubbling inside you both. Use the walk to mentally map out your holiday gift list or holiday dinner game plan — or as a good excuse to escape irritating or demanding relatives who are visiting.
Schedule canine cuddle time. Calmly call your dog over and cuddle with him on the sofa for five to 10 minutes each day. Enjoy being in the moment with your four-legged pal. You will be amazed how this daily ritual will help you and your dog survive, perhaps even thrive, this holiday season.
Dish up a holiday treat. Show your dog how much you love him by baking him a special batch of canine cookies or snacks. (See the sidebar for Marvelous Mutt Meatballs recipe).
Book an activity that your dog can join you in. Take your leashed dog on a walk through a neighborhood all decked out in holiday lights and decorations. (Bring a stash of his favorite treats and poop bags.) Or check online for any special dog holiday parties or events in your area.
Keep tabs on your dog through technology
Whether you are gone from home for the day or the entire holiday, you can keep tabs on your home-alone dog 24/7. There are lots of high-tech monitoring devices that enable you to see, speak and even dole out a treat to your dog with the click of a button. Some gadgets even allow you to remotely play fetch or have your dog chase a laser toy from apps on your smartphone.
Nix holiday stress in dogs by making these New Year’s resolutions:
Be ready for the next round of holidays by creating and embracing some New Year’s resolutions to benefit your dog. Here are a few to consider:
Become a label reader. Select quality commercial products that list a real meat (such as beef, chicken or salmon) as the first ingredient. Choose food made in North America to ensure quality compliance.
Schedule daily mini-play sessions indoors, especially during inclement weather. Mix and match different types of dog toys to maintain interest. Toss a tennis ball down the hallway or engage in a friendly game of tug-of-war with a durable rope toy, or praise him for stalking and “capturing” a plush toy with a squeaker inside.
Invest five minutes every day to brush your dog’s coat. Select the right brush or comb that fits his coat — short-haired, long-haired or nearly hairless like the Chinese Crested Dog or Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintli). Or use grooming gloves designed for use on dogs.
Have pet safety hotlines on hand
Keep your dog safe year-round by posting the contact information of your veterinarian, after-hours emergency veterinary clinic and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in a visible place, like the refrigerator. The APSCA’s 24-hour hotline can be reached by calling 888-426-4435 or you can visit its website at www.aspca.org/apcc.
Arden Moore, The Pet Health and Safety Coach™, is a pet behavior consultant, master certified pet first aid instructor, author and host of the Oh Behave Show on Pet Life Radio. Learn more at ardenmoore.com.
We’ve all been there! Your guests’ arrival is imminent, and there’s no time to put your dog away. The bell rings, your dog goes wild, and as soon as your guests come through the door, they’re flattened against the wall by an exuberant greeting from a highly excitable and energetic bundle of fur. How do you train your dog to stop jumping on your guests? Having been on the receiving end of much dog jumping, I know what it’s like. I’ve been pushed over, bruised and slobbered on. One time, I nearly had my arm broken by an 80-pound Bulldog who jumped up on me as I came through the door, grabbed my wrist, and led me hastily to his dog bed. “Don’t worry,” said his person, “he does that to everyone he likes!” I’m pretty sure she meant it as a compliment, but I was in too much pain to feel very flattered.
Teach your dog to keep four paws on the floor with every person he greets, including you. Photography by Shutterstock)
I love dogs who say hello with energy, and it’s always a relief as a trainer to be greeted by a dog who is pleased to see me. Still, not all dogs who jump are eager for attention or social contact. Sometimes dog jumping behavior can be a dog’s way of coping with a change in the environment that makes him nervous. It’s pretty easy to recognize an uncomfortable jumper, especially if you know how your dog reacts to new people.
A nervous jumper exhibits much stiffer body language than a dog who is excited to see you and may eye guests warily as they enter his space. Regardless of why your dog is jumping, the aim is pretty much the same: Teach your dog that four on the floor is better than two on you.
Here’s how:
1. Be consistent when training your dog not to jump
Four on the floor, or in this case eight on the floor. Photography by Shutterstock.
Teach your dog to keep four on the floor at all times with every person he greets, including you. Sometimes pet parents reinforce jumping behavior by allowing their dogs to jump on them, but telling them “off” when they jump on other people. There needs to be one rule for all.
2. Find alternatives to your dog’s jumping
Harness the power of giving your dog something else to do, especially during times when he is most likely to jump, such as when people come to the door. The energy and adrenaline that drives jumping behavior has to find another outlet.
Teach your dog a different activity for when people first arrive. For example, he could go to fetch a toy or run to a mat or bed and stay there until cued to come off. This requires a certain amount of impulse control and can be difficult for excitable dogs. But if you make learning fun and reinforce success with motivating rewards, you will get the behavior you desire.
Prevent dog jumping by training your dog to go to a certain spot when guests arrive. Photography by Shutterstock.
3. Redirect your dog to avoid jumping
Teaching your dog cues to find alternate behaviors is key. A sitting dog cannot jump, so utilize family members, friends, and neighbors to help you practice his sitting on greeting.
Here are a few tips:  Line up your volunteers, and approach each one with your dog on leash. If your dog jumps, simply turn in the other direction, walk away a few steps, turn around, and approach again. If he walks up to a person and sits, give attention and a secondary reward such as food or a toy for complying.
Start by teaching these basics in a quiet environment and with calm volunteers. Later, you can take it to where the jumping behavior usually happens, which in most cases is by the front door.
Once your dog is sitting consistently as a person walks through the door, introduce auditory triggers that get your dog excited, such as a knock or bell ring. Wait for your dog to calm down before opening the door and letting someone in to greet. If he jumps up, your “guest” will turn around and leave, and the secondary reward goes away. If he sits, he gets attention and a reward.
Make sure your dog is calm before opening the door. Photography by Shutterstock.
Only practice off-leash when your dog is consistently performing what you need him to do, and always expect failures — they’re a normal part of the learning process.
4. Give your dog some space
If your dog is wary of strangers, keep everyone safe and comfortable by keeping him behind a baby gate, or in another room or “safe zone,” until your guests are settled. If he is wary but social, allow him to greet calmly; if he prefers his own space, give him an activity toy and leave him in his safe zone.
5. Ignore the bad behaviors, reward the good
Sometimes dogs forget what they have been taught and jump on their owners or guests. If this happens, ignore your dog and turn your back, or keep turning around until he gets off. Wait for four seconds of paws on the floor before giving attention. If your dog jumps again when he has attention, repeat your behavior until he realizes that jumping gets nothing, but four on the floor gets him all the attention he desires.
Teach your dog a different activity when people first arrive at your house, such as running to a mat or bed. .Photography by Shutterstock.
6. Don’t be cruel
Don’t knee your dog in the chest, yank his collar, shout, shock or physically reprimand him for jumping. Even though these actions might “fix” things for that moment, they don’t actually teach a dog anything. Also, you will usually find your dog continues to jump when a similar situation arises. Teaching him what to do instead will encourage him to make better choices the next time he feels the need to jump up.
Thumbnail: Photography by mikeledray/Shutterstock.
Read more Dogster articles that feature the methods of Victoria Stilwell:
About the author: Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer, TV personality, author, and public speaker best known as the star of the international hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog, through which she reaches audiences in over 100 countries. Appearing frequently in the worldwide media, Stilwell is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior, is the editor-in-chief of Positively.com, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training — the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers. Connect with her on Facebook and on Twitter.
Editor’s note: Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? This article appeared in our magazine, and we’re thrilled to have Victoria Stilwell as a contributor. Subscribe to Dogster and get the bimonthly magazine delivered to your home. Read an interview with Stilwell on Dogster.
I love petting my dogs, and I love it when I know my dogs want some petting. Sometimes, they’re so eager for affection that they shove their bodies against me, waiting for their pets. Not all dogs start out eagerly seeking affection, pets or otherwise. When I first adopted my German Shepherd Dog, River, she didn’t like if I tried to pet the top of her head, and it took a long time before she would let me hug her. (With Forest, I’ve had him since he was a puppy, so it was normal to be touched, hugged and petted.) It took a long time to build that with River, and it helped that I know how to pet a dog properly.
Wait — there it is again. How to pet a dog properly? Yes, there is a right and wrong way to pet a dog. Unfortunately, many of us just dive right into petting dogs we just met or don’t even know. Or, we fail to read our own dogs’ body language when they’re telling us “please stop.”
So, how do you pet a dog and learn to read his body language to see if he’s OK with petting? And how do you pet a dog you don’t know? Let’s find out.
Dogs typically accept being petted by their owners, but strangers are a different story
Thankfully, dogs are pretty accepting of our pets and hugs … but won’t necessarily want the same affection from a stranger. “It’s just like us,” explains Susan Newell, owner and lead trainer of Animal Minds Behavior and Training in Rancho Cordova, California. “A friend giving you a hug is much different than a stranger coming up and giving you a hug.”
However, if you’re like me, sometimes you don’t want a hug, even from your friends. Your dog could be the same way. So how do you know if your dog wants some pets? Let him tell you. “If your dog is initiating the interaction, or licks your hand, that’s typically a good starting place to begin petting,” Newell says.
How to pet a dog starts with how you approach a dog
When it comes to another dog you don’t know, definitely don’t try to start petting him until he hints that he’s OK with it. And don’t offer him your hand to sniff — despite what a lot of us were taught, it’s not a good idea, Newell says.
“I can’t tell you how many dogs I run into that have learned to start biting hands because of that,” she says. Instead, she adds, “The best thing you can do is let a dog come up to you and you not do anything that’s not invited.”
Your body language matters when petting a dog
You also need to watch your body’s position and language, Newell says. Specifically, we shouldn’t hover over dogs, as they might perceive it as a threat. We also need to watch the amount of eye contact we make while petting dogs. While it’s natural for us to want to lovingly stare into a dog’s eyes, a dog might not interpret it the same way. “It’d be like if someone came up to you, shook your hand and stared at you,” Newell says. “You’d be creeped out.”
The general rule of thumb is not to make too much eye contact, specifically any hard stares, when you meet a dog you don’t know. Just glancing at a dog, or keeping your eyes averted are best practices when petting dogs you don’t know.
A lot of dogs don’t like hugs. It depends on the individual dog, but to be safe, don’t hug a dog you don’t know. Your own dog might learn to tolerate hugs or even like them. However, it’s best to not let a stranger hug him or for you to hug any dogs you just met.
Where should you pet a dog?
There are specific areas dogs that dogs usually don’t like to to be pet: Their legs, paws, muzzles, tails and ears. (But behind their ears they tend to love). Another place dogs don’t like being touched? Their heads. Ironically, it’s almost instinctual for us to go right for the head. And while many dogs learn to tolerate it, why do it? There are plenty of better places to pet dogs that they seem to universally love.
Instead of the head, pet your dog under his chin or stroke his neck. Come in from the sides to scratch behind his ears, or wait until he rolls over so you can rub his belly. A dog who’s really into petting will often start moving his leg like he’s trying to scratch himself. The back of the neck, and the rump also seem to be popular spots for petting.
Training your dog to be pet by strangers
It’s not a bad idea to teach your dog to tolerate being touched and petted in places he doesn’t like — both by you and a stranger. The American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen exam specifically states that a well-trained dog should permit being petted by a stranger, as well as having his ears and legs examined.
The best way to do that is to ease your dog into it. I play with my dogs’ paws and ears here and there so they learn to tolerate it. I also taught them to let me hold their muzzles and examine their teeth and eyes, much like a veterinarian or groomer might.
While teaching them these things, I liberally rewarded them with treats so they learned to associate uncomfortable actions with their favorite foods. I did the same thing with strangers — my dogs learned that treats are close at hand when they accept a pet on the head from a stranger.
Read your dog’s body language
It’s good practice to teach your dog to tolerate petting he might not like. That’s especially true when you run into that person who swoops in and pets your dog without asking you, let alone establishing any kind of permission with your dog. It’s in those moments that you’ll be glad you taught your dog to put up with people.
That being said, you need to read your dog’s body language so you know if he doesn’t like something or when he’s had enough. This is especially important around other people: You don’t want to push your dog so far that he reacts negatively, Newell says. “Not every dog knows to take himself away when he’s done,” she explains. “You need to take him away from a situation. Most of the time, I’ll back up and encourage the dog to come with me.”
Backing up is key, because it not only gets your dog away from a person, it doesn’t bring him closer to a person like it would if you walked forward. This move is good for another reason: You don’t have to rely on a stranger to stop what they’re doing. Most people will become offended or ask why if you request that they stop petting your dog. Instead, just move backward and bring your dog with you.
What are the signs that a dog doesn’t like being petted?
“Body stiffness is huge,” Newells says. “If your dog holds his breath or his whole body goes stiff, that’s your first clue that it’s time to stop. If your dog’s ears go down, or his tail tucks under him, [these] are other important signs.”
Tell us: Where does your dog like to be pet? Where does he hate getting petted? What advice do you have for others on how to pet a dog?
Jessica Pineda is a freelance writer who lives in Northern California with her two German Shepherds, Forest and River. Check out her dogs’ Instagram page at @gsd_riverandforest.
