When I am working with a client I always talk to them about what I like to call OP and DP. OP stands for owner problem. DP stands for dog problem. Some of the problems that have with our dogs are really what I classify as OP or the Owners Problem Dog daycare Houston.
Let me share a quick story to explain my point. A few years back I was called in to help a very nice lady with a border collie. She loved her dog and did not want to get rid of him but she was getting close.
She worked long days and her border collie was left in her small apartment sometimes for up to twelve hours. If you know anything about Border collie you’ll know that they extremely smart and energetic dogs. They really love to work. A border collie is happiest when they can spend the whole day chasing sheep and keeping order. They are all hard wired that way.
Anyway, her border collie was so bored and so pent up that one day he decided that he was going to chew. He started on the molding and then progressed to digging and chewing on the sheetrock.
Being a good border collie he kept at it until he had chewed a hole in the wall big enough to fit through. He went into the neighbor’s apartment and chewed up his neighbor’s shoes and other belongings. Needles to say the neighbor was not too pleased.
When I met with the owner and saw the hole I immediately thought OP. You see, I really could not blame the dog. A border collie can not spend twelve hours alone everyday without wrecking something.
The owner had to take steps to get this poor dog enough exercise of find him a new home. Luckily she agreed and we came up with a plan to help her dog that she followed completely.
The first thing we did was find a dog daycare where her dog could go and play with other dogs. Dog daycare is a great way for your dog to get physical and mental stimulation.
We then had her dog work for his breakfast and dinner. His meals were served to him in a buster cube. A buster cube is a hard, square toy with compartments inside it to put the food. Once the food is inside your dog can push it and paw at it to get the food to pop out. Her dog loved it.
She also spent at least ten minutes everyday doing obedience and tricks with her dog. Within just a week her dog made huge improvements. She was happy and her border collie was happy.
The next time you’re faced with a behavior problem ask what your roll may be in the situation. Having a dog is a two way street and we have to take an active part in helping our dogs live with us.