Leader Of The Pack

The American dream. For many folks this means a fruitful job…a loving husband or wife…2.5 kids…a lovely home with a white picket fence and, the cherry on the cake, the family dog. Even Norman Rockwell, who painted many a pretty picture of the American ideal, often included a dog in his images. We take good care of our dogs. We walk them…feed them…bathe them…groom them…and much more…all in the name of love. But the ultimate in puppy pampering is doggy day care. A place where your little fur ball can run and play with other little fur balls under the watchful eye of a professional so at day’s end your best friend is returned to you happy, healthy and stress free. While you are at work…he/she is at play. Sounds great, yes? Here is the problem: Doggy day care may be more stressful than being apart from their owners.

I’ve been working with dogs and running day-cares a long time. Over a decade. (Wow! Has it been that long?) And during that time I’ve noticed a few things. Most day cares accept that dogs will hurt each other at times. Fights will break out. Perhaps over a toy or a treat. Sometimes for what seems like no reason at all. It’s why you normally have to sign a waiver. Vet bills (if they pay them) are expected costs of business. You cannot predict a dog’s behavior, right? You never know when Fido may snap, right? Yes…and no. 

Although you may not be able to foresee every action you CAN greatly reduce the probability of aggression. You can do this by having an understanding of pack mentality. Dogs are pack animals. They require that there be a pack leader or chaos ensues. They feel so strongly about this that when no clear pack leader exists they will step into the role. Once a dog steps into the role of pack leader he/she is no longer care-free. How do you feel when you have to solve work issues on your day off? Is a vacation truly a vacation if you spend all your time working on a power point presentation for when you return? A dog who is no longer care-free often exhibits anti-social behavior or other signs of stress. Excessive barking…aggression when on a leash…licking of the paws…crying…and when in a group setting such as doggy day care…may fight for the title “Alpha.” An Alpha is in charge of the entire pack and does not have the luxury of relaxing because the safety of all rests on him/her. That dog now has a job and cannot relax. A true canine vacation is only possible and injury free when the day care staff is schooled in “Alpha” techniques. It’s the first thing I train a new employee at Canine Club NYC. That training is what ensures an injury free day care experience. Without it we would be paying as many vet bills as everyone else in the doggy day care business.