About JKTD

So we all know that with owning dogs (or pets in general) comes with responsibility.  Sometimes that responsibility makes us want to pull our hair out.  And sometimes it makes us consider getting rid of our furry family member.  But at the end of the day, we have to remember that dogs aren't furniture.  They aren't toys.  They aren't possessions.  They are our dogs.

Bruce is probably the sweetest, gentlest dog I've ever owned.  With two toddlers running around, he has the patience of a saint.  My two-year-old will sometimes lay on him for hugs and this 90lb dog will just continue to lay there, allowing himself to be squished.  However, he does have a few things that make me want to just scream.

First, he has separation anxiety.  Bad.  If I leave him in my home free to roam while we're not there, I come home to broken blinds and tipped over furniture and sometimes even a pee stain.  Second, he is a trash digger.  In the morning, I find shredded plastic and styrofoam from a chicken package that was thrown in the garbage or a crushed empty can of vegetables.  Third, he is a chewer.  If there is something left on the floor that shouldn't be there (most of the time it's a kids' toy), consider it shredded.  And finally, if his telepathic announcement of his need to pee doesn't get through, he believes it is his right to pee right in front of the door.

Although these things have driven me mad with frustration, I acknowledge that they are tale tell signs of hierarchy trouble.  I've trained a foster dog before and succeeded at turning a wild, alpha-oriented lab/pit mix into an obedient and calm pack member.  With the help of Bark Busters, I learned dog language and pack behavior.  However, like most pet owners, I just haven't taken the time to apply the training to my dog.

This site is dedicated to being accountable for our pets and their behaviors.  Instead of resorting to surrendering our pets to a shelter or even rehoming them, I hope to encourage other dog owners to endure the hardships of dog ownership.  I will share my adventures of life with a dog as well as tips that may help others.  In addition, I will promote nonprofit organizations that support dog rescue, training and anti-backyard breeding and puppy mills.

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