One of my nieces got a puppy for Christmas, Sparky. Sparky is a Border Collie and Jack Russell Terrier mix. My nephew’s stocking revealed a puppy named Lucky. Lucky is a purebred Maltese complete with registration papers. The youngest daughter got two puppies, twins, they say, named Tribble and Trouble. She plans to breed once they grow up, “because puppies are ohhhh cute.”

The only reason their mother isn’t being actively sedated is that all four puppies were created by the kids themselves in a computer game cleverly designed to give children hours of pleasure raising and training virtual dogs. No fuss, no muss. No actual trips to the vet, groomer, or training school, and no unhappy endings. When the kids get tired of their puppies, and they will, no one gets hurt. This is a perfect present.

If, on the other hand, my family were to have received even one real puppy, we’d be in it up to our elbows. The problem with Christmas puppies is that, somewhere between Memorial Day and Labor Day, they hit adolescence. The canine equivalent of those crazy teenage years, adolescence is a rite of passage that many dogs simply don’t survive. They bite, they chew, they jump up on houseguests, they’re still messing on the rug, they’ve begun to escape from the back yard, and the neighbors are complaining. They’re not so cute, and they’re costing the family too much time, money, and aggravation. So they end up at the pound. All of this is traumatic for the family, and probably lethal for the dog. Extremely unhappy ending.

There is hope, of course, and a very good reason why dogs continue to play a vital role in 40% of American households. We love dogs. They give us unconditional love, and offer security and companionship. They make us feel good about ourselves, reduce our stress levels, and give us a non-judgmental shoulder to cry on. In return, we owe them good food and shelter, plenty of exercise, medical attention, and opportunities to satisfy their social and intellectual needs.

Social and intellectual needs? Oh, yes, indeed. Dogs are both highly social and highly intelligent. They get anxious, frustrated, and often destructive when they’re bored. Because of leash laws and other animal control measures, most dogs aren’t allowed to associate with other people and dogs as often as they need to. Several solutions come to mind:

· Training Class – sign up for a group training class with your dog. There are several available around the Chattanooga area, so you can be choosy. Ask about the course curriculum, instructor experience, training methods, and availability. Most adults feel very awkward, and even embarrassed about their dog’s behavior in public. Don’t worry – every one else is in the same boat, and a good instructor will find ways to make it fun as well as instructional.

· Play Games – dogs love games, and most will make up games if you don’t. Remember that old standby, “Catch me if you can?” Far better for you to take the initiative and find games that reinforce good manners and survival skills like “come”, “sit”, and “stay”. Toss the dog a treat for sitting and staying. Hide in another room with your dog on a sit/stay, and have a huge party when she finds you on command. Send your dog to find your kids, or car keys!

· Dog Park – take your dog to the Chew Chew Dog Park behind the First Tennessee Pavilion. Read the rules first, and follow them so that every dog has a positive experience.

· Play Groups – a doggy-twist on the classic block party. Get together with a bunch of friends and neighbors and their dogs in someone’s fenced-in yard. It’s a good idea to limit the mix to dogs of similar size.

· Dog Daycare – consider taking your dog to a professional dog daycare facility. Your dog gets worn out playing with other dogs while you take care of business, leaving you free to relax with your tired and snuggly pal after a hard day’s work.

· Walk the dog – sounds obvious, but it’s one of the very best ways to improve your bond with your dog, provide all sorts of intellectual stimulation, and proof your training at the same time. Once you’ve mastered the neighborhood walk, consider taking road trips to some of the many parks around town that allow dogs, hiking on Signal, or exploring the Chickamauga Battlefield. Did you know that Rock City welcomes dogs? Take the whole family and enjoy some quality time while cementing that lifetime bond with your puppy.

Remember, whatever energy you give your dog will come back to you tenfold. Good dogs aren’t automatic. They take time and effort, and a whole lot of love.

Bev Eitner
bev@playdogexcellent.com