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As Jon Katz noted in his book, The New Work of Dogs, the role dogs play in our lives has changed dramatically over the last century. They used to guard us and our property, herd our livestock, hunt with us, carry our belongings, and rescue us from danger. Now the majority of owners get a dog primarily to serve as a companion.
This species which is still far closer related to wolves than to us is still expected to play with our children without biting them, and discern friends from strangers and “bad guys” on sight. We also expect them to understand every word and follow every command, whether actually taught it at all, and spend large amounts of time alone in confinement without complaining. Dog owners of today want their dogs to “be there” for them as emotional scapegoats, and fortunately for us some of them handle this duty very well.
However, some dogs don’t manage this “new work” very well at all. Differences in human expectations and canines’ needs can result in frustration, anxiety, aggression, and a host of other issues on both sides. For example, dogs’ needs for exercise and mental stimulation are often neglected by people who don’t understand the requirements of the canine body and mind. The result is often found in destructive, aggressive dogs, or dogs with a variety of other behavioral issues. Owners can then become more frustrated and even give up on their dogs. This is where the “New Work of Canine Professionals” comes into play.
Our new work as canine professionals is to do our best to clean up the mess that our society supplies us with. Trainers have perhaps the biggest responsibility in reaching people, but all canine professionals must educate dog owners so they can understand the needs of dogs and learn how to care for and manage them appropriately. Behavior “problems” dissipate when owners remember to treat their dogs not as furry humans, but as the creatures they are designed to be.
This is, in fact, what we love most about dogs-- that they are so very much like us, yet still retain a bit of wildness in their character. They join our worlds-- the current, fast-paced modern world with the old, natural, quiet place that we all wish we could have more of. They do so in a way which makes us feel more complete and whole, and we owe it to them to provide homes where they can feel the same way every day. Our duty is to help people learn how to do just this-- allow their dogs to be justly rewarded for their service and sacrifice as our companion animals. It is truly the least we can do in return for all that they have done, and continue to do, for humans every day.
Our latest public ally in this “new work” is Cesar Millan, who is also a professional member of the IACP. Cesar understands how to effectively communicate with dog owners and their dogs, and through his television show, book, and DVD’s, he is doing so on a mass scale. Fortunately for many canine professionals, Cesar’s work has opened doors to let more of us into homes in our local communities, where the need for this education is great.
We need to take advantage of this time in the history of our relationship with dogs. Together we can take back what was once lost, and make things better for our friends. While we may not be able to change this “new work of dogs” altogether, we have the opportunity, the ability, and the duty to help make the lives of these companion animals better by reminding people of the true nature of dogs, and by educating them in how to properly respect, care for, and train their dogs.
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