How’s your relationship?

By Tom Kandt

In her beautifully written book Bones Would Rain from the Sky, dog trainer Suzanne Clothier asserts that “What is possible between a human and an animal is possible only within a relationship.”

By relationship Clothier is referring to a loving and respectful partnership of mutuality. Yes, we strive for that also in our relationships with our family and other humans. And I think that’s her point. There are social aspects also common to the human-dog relationship.

Dogs, like people, are a social species. Their ancestors thrived with the stimulation and challenges provided by life in a pack. Deprived of that stimulation they can develop behavior problems and decline in mental capacity. So it is with humans. The worse thing you can do to a human in prison is put them in isolation. So it is with dogs.

A dog tethered in the backyard or fenced alone all day or night without meaningful contact is a dog in isolation.

So, how is your relationship with your canine companion? Do you spend daily quality time with them doing things like taking a walk or jog, playing fetch, or other games? Do you stimulate them mentally by training them and giving them challenges? Do they pay attention to you when you are around, or ignore you and focus on other things?

Certainly for families with working couples it’s tough to squeeze in more time for the dogs. But that’s the importance of quality time. Giving dogs more toys in the yard or more space to move around won’t necessarily improve their lives. They also need you, their pack members, and all the attention, love and stimulation you can give them.
One way to improve your relationship and provide positive benefits for your dog is to take one or more of the many fun classes offered in town. The Helena Montana Kennel Club, for instance, offers classes for all levels in obedience, canine good citizen, agility, rally, herding and freestyle.

You don’t have to be interested in competing to take the classes. Nor does your dog have to be a purebred. There are many people, like myself, who don’t compete but take the classes for the benefits to our dogs and for the joy of being around other dog lovers. For more information on the club and its classes, contact club President Vicky MacLean at agillabs@mcn.net or visit their Web site at www.helenakennelclub.com.

There are also private trainers in town who give some of these classes.

Our shelter is full of dogs that didn’t have a meaningful relationship with their owners. If you can’t spend some quality time with your dogs and bring them more into your pack, you probably shouldn’t own one. Sound harsh? Perhaps. But remember the value of these wonderful creatures and what they have given us since we began bringing them into our lives thousands of years ago.

Tom Kandt is certified in training and counseling by the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers and is a volunteer at the Lewis & Clark Humane Society. He can be reached here.

Lewis & Clark Humane Society
2112 E. Custer Avenue • P.O. Box 4455 • Helena, Montana 59604 • Phone: (406) 442-1660 • Fax: (406) 457-9446
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