Am I Boring My Dog

by Ph. d. Edie Jarolim

  Luckily for them, however, dogs don’t have to worry about taking dead-end jobs to pay the bills. Give them enough—and suitable—exercise,69 and they’ll embrace the freeloading lifestyle.

  But meaningful work or a facsimile thereof isn’t the only thing dogs need to stave off boredom. If anything, dogs are more social than we are, and hate being left alone for long periods of time. It doesn’t help that they’re barred from getting library cards and accessing the Internet. See questions 75 and 76 for some absentee entertainment suggestions.

  72. HOW MUCH EXERCISE IS ENOUGH FOR MY DOG?

  It depends. The goal is to tire your dog out or at least take the edge off her restlessness, as well as keep her trim and fit. Some breeds have far more energy than others—you checked before you got your dog, right?70—and all have different exercise needs at different life stages. Ask your vet about the best fitness regimen for your dog.

  Your pooch will also let you know, one way or the other, if she’s getting enough exercise—perhaps by acting out, or by putting on so much weight that you’ll have to keep loosening the straps on her waist-hugging halter.

  She’ll also let you know if she’s getting too much of a work-out. Panting excessively is one sign (be sure to bring along enough water on your outings). Civil disobedience is another. Having decided that a brisk walk we were taking with my friend Kate and her dog, Kukula, was going on a bit too long, Frankie parked his little butt down in a stolid “I prefer not” pose in the middle of the path. Much to my relief—carrying even 11 pounds can be hard after a couple of miles, especially when they’re squirming—Frankie was perfectly fine to walk back on his own four legs. He just wanted to let us know that if we were to proceed any farther, he couldn’t guarantee his continuing participation. I wish I were as good at enforcing my limits.

  73. WHAT IF I’M NOT FIT ENOUGH TO EXERCISE MY DOG SUFFICIENTLY?

  Few humans are capable of keeping up with large, high-energy dogs. This is where props—everything from Frisbees and treadmills to tennis-ball pitching machines—come in. Again, every dog has different interests and capabilities; some like to fetch, others to swim, still others to run with a dog park pack. You just need to figure out what works with your dog’s drives, social skills—and size. For example, some large dogs may swallow, rather than retrieve, tennis balls.71

  Let physics be your friend, too. If you stand or sit at the top of an incline and toss a stick down it, your dog will burn more calories than if you perform the same ritual on a flat surface.

  And don’t forget that, in an off-leash area (or with a very long leash), dog hikes and walks are far longer than human walks. A key theorem of dog math is that for every mile you walk, your dog will cover three or four. This includes the constant returns to show you something disgusting she’s picked up or to check that you’re still around and on the move before ambling off again to continue her investigations.

  Mental exercise is also essential for most breeds—and you don’t have to be in shape to provide it. All you need is patience, a sense of fun, and intelligence equal to or above that of your dog.72 There are training sessions, for one thing; you might try to teach your dog a new word or trick every day in two or three five-minute sessions. And there are simple games. My friend Jennifer plays hide and seek with her Pit Bull, Beau, and other people I know make their dogs search for treats strategically placed around the house.

  And, naturally, you can buy educational toys. In addition to the playthings mentioned in the “Toys” section of question 75, which can safely occupy your dogs while you’re away, toys that challenge your dog’s mind but require supervision include the soft Puzzle Plush playthings made by Kyjen (www.kyjen.com) and the (mostly) wooden toys in the Zoo Active line by Nina Ottosson (www.nina-ottosson.com).

  74. SHOULD I GET A SECOND DOG TO KEEP MY DOG COMPANY IF I WORK LONG HOURS?

  Only if you want a second dog. Another dog math theorem is that taking care of two dogs requires more than twice the effort of taking care of one, not half. After that, the amount of labor involved increases exponentially, requiring advanced canine algebra to calculate.

  And there’s no guarantee that the two dogs will get along, your matchmaking efforts notwithstanding. Even if they seem well suited initially, things change. My friend Barbara’s two dogs were great friends until Lucy got sick and couldn’t play with her pal Halo for a while. After Lucy recovered, Halo declined to resume their relationship, perhaps on the once-snubbed principle. And two dogs in my neighborhood that are left out in their yard all day bark in a cacophony of distress, their misery unmitigated by company.

  If you crave canine diversity or want to rescue another dog, more power to you. And your first dog may well be grateful. But if you’re primarily motivated by guilt (always tops on my motivation list), divert the extra money you’d spend on food, vet care, and training to some of the pet entertainment possibilities described in the next two questions.

  75. HOW CAN I KEEP MY DOG FROM GETTING BORED AT HOME WHILE I’M AT WORK?

  Avoiding boredom is crucial for both your dog’s well-being and yours. Ennui—not to mention existential angst—might make a dog run around the house chewing stuff up, or it might inspire him to try to escape, convinced you’re out there somewhere, ready to entertain him, if only he could find you.

  Alternatively, boredom could cause your dog to sleep excessively and mope. Although depression doesn’t cost nearly as much as destruction, it is more heart-wrenching. When you’re not angry at your pup for wrecking the house, you’re open to feeling really, really bad that he’s unhappy.

  Give your pooch as much exercise as possible before you leave for the day, and avoid making a big exit scene. If you act as though going to work is no big deal, your dog will often respond in kind.

  Some possibilities for keeping your dog happy include the following.

  AUDIOVISUALS

  Leaving the radio, TV, DVD, or CD player on all day may not be energy efficient but if it cheers up your destructive pup, it will definitely be cost effective.

  TV/DVD

  Dogs are never asked to take part in Nielson media surveys and, as far as I know, no studies have been conducted to determine canine TV preferences. Nor has cable or network programming been geared toward dogs. Animal Planet would seem an obvious channel choice but many dogs, including Frankie, are simply not interested in the shows.73 Others try to attack the TV to get at the creatures inside. And still others take a moral stand, preferring only commercial-free broadcasting.

  No worries. Several DVDs have been geared toward your pup’s viewing pleasure. They include While You Are Gone, compiled by Bradley Joseph,74 featuring deer, ducks, geese, and wolves. It’s well reviewed on its distributor’s site, Amazon.com. Doggy Daycare DVD, put out by Off the Wall Entertainment (O.T.W.E.; www.otwe.biz), highlights the Puppy Cup, a soccer match between two teams of Golden Retrievers. Go Dog’s Dog Sitter II—the sequel, of course, to the ever-popular Dog Sitter—includes some obedience training clips and sequences of dogs doing incredible tricks to inspire (or shame) your pup.

  CDs

  Based on observations at many animal shelters and clinics, music does indeed soothe the savage breast. What kind? According to Susan Wagner, a veterinary neurologist, dogs like slow tempos and not a lot of complexity in their compositions. Because they hear at such high frequencies, they also prefer quiet sounds, so Through a Dog’s Ear (www.throughadogsear.com), the CD that Wagner produced and sells in conjunction with her book on the topic, should be played at a low volume. Of course, no one would blast Canine Lullabies (www.caninelullabies.com), created by former songwriter and record producer Terry Woodford, who discovered that what was effective for calming human babies also worked on the furry variety. The reverse holds true, too, according to assertions on Amazon that Dog Gone Classical Music: Mozart makes babies mellow out. Also favorably reviewed are the Music Dogs Love: While You Are Gone CD, a companion to the DVD (see the previous section); and Music My Pet, a classica
l mix created by Tom Nazziola, the principal performer on Baby Einstein CDs and DVDs.

  Radio

  I’m not sure that DogCat Radio (www.dogcatradio.com),75 a Los Angeles-based Internet streaming station for pets and their owners, can be considered soothing. The play list ranges from disco to Top 40 and Spanish pop, and there’s a lot of pet-oriented chat that’s useful to owners but not aimed at calming their four-legged charges. That said, if your pup likes an upbeat sound, leave your computer tuned in to the station.

  When in doubt, leave your dog tuned in to your local long-hair music station. And lay off the heavy metal. In studies of audio preferences, many hounds howled in protest when they were subjected to it.

  TOYS

  Not all toys that can keep dogs occupied for long periods76 are suited to serve as distractions while you’re away. Especially dangerous are those with parts that can be swallowed, from rawhides to toys with squeakers, and anything that can shred or splinter.

  The safest picks as doggie distractions (all available in virtual and real pet emporia) include the following toys.

  Nonedible chew toys

  These toys should be made from material durable enough to stand up to long periods of your dog’s attempts to ingest them and be large enough that your dog can’t swallow them whole. Popular brands include Dogzilla, Nylabone, Hurley, and Huck. Some have nontoxic flavorings and smells that make them appealing. Be sure to supervise your dog with these products before leaving her alone with them. Some dogs are super-chewers, capable of decimating most products placed in front of them, and you need to know that in advance.

  Interactive treat toys

  These take the will-work-for-food drive down to its most basic level. The best known—and still tops in its category—are those made by Kong, hard rubber cones that can be stuffed with anything from peanut butter to soaked kibble; many people put half of their dog’s morning meal in them. Geared toward dog size, age, and chewing strength, Kongs and Kongstyle toys require some coordination—your dog has to hold on to them to get at the food—and lots of tongue agility, but not Einsteinian intellect.

  More challenging are toys like the Buster Cube and other “busy-boxes,” designed so that the treats inside come out of the openings when your dog pokes, paws, and noses them at the right angle. You can adjust their difficulty level when your dog progresses (or regresses). That’s true, too, of the Busy Buddy line made by Premier,77 which includes the Twist ‘n’ Treat, a spaceship-style toy that Frankie likes (and has offered to endorse, if the price is right).

  76. AUDIOVISUALS AND TOYS DON’T KEEP MY DOG HAPPY. WHAT ELSE CAN I DO FOR HIM WHILE I’M AWAY?

  When in-home entertainment isn’t entertaining enough for your restless pup, it’s time to consider outsourcing his diversion. Dog walkers and doggie daycare are the top options, but play dates and other informal exchanges through networks of local dog owners are getting increasingly popular, too.

  Keep in mind that you need to screen potential candidates for dog care as thoroughly as you would candidates for child or elder care—perhaps more thoroughly, because licenses aren’t required for canine caregivers in most states and there’s little official oversight. Any professional you’re thinking of leaving your pup with must love dogs, yes, but they must also know how to handle them—and how to conduct a business. Among other things, that means being bonded and insured and providing you with a service contract.

  Nor is every dog a good candidate for dog walking or daycare—and I’m not just talking about bullies who don’t play well with others. Frankie, for example, refuses to walk anywhere with strangers (a better attribute in a child than it is in a dog). Hanging out with unknown dogs away from home? Not my shy guy.

  If you think your dog could benefit, start your search by asking people you regularly see with well-behaved charges at the dog park, dog path, or around the neighborhood. Check with your vet, groomer, pet supply stores, and local shelters. Websites such as Pet Sitters International (www.petsit.com) are good resources, too. And then do your own screening, based on the criteria outlined in the following sections.

  DOG WALKER

  Dog walkers—who will often have an associated pet sitting business—typically come to your house once a day and take your dog out for 15 minutes to an hour. Usually it’s for a group stroll, but some—with your permission—take dogs to a park (see question 78). They operate differently in compact cities than they do in more spread-out towns or suburbs. Dog walkers in Manhattan, for example, stroll from building to building to pick up and drop off dogs. Here in Tucson they have to drive to collect their walkees, so the number of dogs is limited by the size of the vehicle—and the ability of the dog walker to keep them calm while in transit.

  In Manhattan, prices for dog walking might range from $14 per dog for a quick 15-minute piddle to $28 for one hour of exercise; in Tucson, on average, it’s $25 for 40 minutes for up to two dogs in the same family; shorter stints are rare.

  Some things to think about when considering a dog walker:

  Affinity for the work

  Does this person seem to like dogs in general and yours in particular, or do you get the sense she’s just looking to make a quick buck with clients who can’t tattle if she goofs off? In turn, does your usually friendly dog cozy up to her—or slink off? Dogs are generally excellent judges of character.

  Credentials

  American Red Cross Certification in pet first aid and CPR are definite pluses, as is membership in a professional pet sitter’s organization. Having training credentials (see Chapter 6) is also an asset.

  References

  Although these are always important to check, it’s particularly crucial for a person who will be entering your home. There’s a certain irony to the fact that dog walkers are usually most popular in backyard-challenged urban areas, where trust is not at a premium. It’s not unreasonable for you to ask where your dog walker lives to even the playing field. Or to mention that you know someone who’s connected.

  General philosophy and dog knowledge

  Ask what your potential walker would do if your dog misbehaves. If he advocates an alpha roll—or a Tootsie Roll—reconsider.

  Logistic specifics

  Will your dog be staying on a leash the entire time? Will the route involve crossing lots of city streets or busy roads? How many other dogs will be coming along? What do you do with the rest of the group when you’re picking a dog up at an apartment building?78 The responses should help you figure out if your dog’s personality and the dog walker’s plans are in synch with each other, and if you feel comfortable about your dog’s safety.

  Formalities

  A professional should have you fill out a form with your emergency numbers (including that of your vet); provide you with his emergency contact information; ask you to confirm in writing that your dog has had all the required shots and identification/registration (in case she’s an escape artist), and has no history of serious aggression; and provide you with a contract that specifies which services will be rendered and when—and how much you’ll pay for them.

  Before you sign on, go for a test walk (with payment of course): just you, your dog, and the dog walker. See how your pup—and any poop she might produce—is handled. If your dog walker doesn’t scoop, she’s either not paying attention to your dog or she’s a bad global citizen.

  DAYCARE

  Forget sterile rooms with cramped cages. Today’s doggie daycare (a.k.a. doggie day camp) is likely to resemble nursery school more than it does a kennel, replete with organized play-, nap-, and snack periods and even webcams that let you see what your pup is up to. Organized activities often abound, with training filling in for coloring. Indeed, some doggie daycare centers outshine the kiddie versions; the latter are unlikely to have hairdressers or doctors on site.

  In spite of all these extras, daycare might be more cost effective than a dog walking service. For one thing, you don’t have to—in fact shouldn’t—send your dog every day. Limi
ting daycare to two or three times a week keeps your dog from getting overstimulated and from considering the experience mundane. And rates are not generally outrageous. A spot check of upscale facilities around the country showed costs ranging from $25 for a half day for dogs weighing under 25 pounds in Scottsdale to $55 for a full day for plus size pups (more than 85 pounds) in Manhattan. Membership or monthly passes lower the rates even more.

  How to find a good play center? The same way as you find dog walkers, many of whom may be affiliated with daycare centers. In some major metropolitan areas, daycare/boarding facilities are rated online, similar to hotels and restaurants.

  You should also have the same concerns, from treatment philosophy to poop-scooping. Ask questions in advance, and then observe the proceedings without your dog. If possible, arrange to go in during a play period, so you can see how the group is handled.

  The service contract that requires you to provide detailed information, including emergency contacts and authorization for emergency treatment, is even more crucial. Your dog, of course, has been neutered or spayed and has had all the required vaccinations, but if the center doesn’t insist on verification, it means they’re not confirming the data on all the other, less perfect, dogs.

  Staff

  Again, think dog walkers, multiplied: expect, at a minimum, to find people who like and know how to handle dogs. They should be able to gauge when dogs need a rest, and when they need to be separated from each other—and how to accomplish that. Knowledge of training is a bonus. If there’s no vet on staff—some places have them—there should be one on call.