A Dog With a Job

  Yesterday, I was out doing some back to school shopping with a friend and my trusty Service Dog in Training (SDiT). My SDiT is a coming 18 month old, Female Golden Retriever, the calmest dog I have ever had. She is perfect for her job. While shopping a cashier at one of the stores asked me, "How do you get her so calm? My Golden was crazy, and now I have a Heeler and he's crazy too.".  My response was, "You have to give them a job to do.". She asked for further clarification so, I explained it to her as I will here (but more in depth) .
 
  If we look at canine genetics we see that all dogs (no matter the breed), go back to one animal, the grey wolf or Canis Lupus if you want to sound super nerdy. From there we have domesticated them for very specific purposes. In hunting dogs for example, Setters are made to locate birds and flush (though the best setters retrieve too), Retrievers are built to retrieve, and Terriers hunt down small game.  They all where bred for the sole purpose of making it easier for a human companion to hunt and there for gain more access to food.

  When a dog is bred to do something so specific and they are cooped up in a house all day while your away, they use their natural instincts against you in a way. Your Scent Hound is bored, so he finds a scent in the wall where there was a mouse two years ago and decides to dig, chew and howl all at the same time until there is a mammoth sized hole in your kitchen drywall. Your soft mouthed  Labrador cant find any ducks to bring to you, so he eats your socks instead and cost you $2,000 when he magically needs an exploritory laparotomy for unknown GI blockage.

  So, what do you do about your dog that was bred to do a job? The answer is simple, you give him one. Herding dogs need to herd, find a local farmer with some sheep or a neighbor who has chickens. Retrievers NEED to retrieve (trust me, I know), go to the park and take a ball with you a few times a week. Some dogs, just need to run. Teach them how to run next to your bike or get a hot walker for your quad. Physical exercise is just as important as metal exercise (obedience training or other types of training). A dog with a job is a much calmer, and happier pooch.

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