By Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, CBT
Dogs, Canis Familiaris, have evolved from their wild ancestor, the wolf, yet they no longer can be considered as the same species. Many biological and behavioural factors separate wolves from domestic dogs. I talked about those differences in Canine Conundrum, a while back. Since we know dogs aren't wolves, it becomes imperative to define what dogs are.
Domestication and Urbanisation
Domestication is all about removing, through selective breeding, flight distances. For generations, people have selected certain species of animals to stay in close proximity and eventually work with or for us. In that sense, dogs are domesticated and wolves are not. There's even a difference between feral [i], country, and urban dogs. City dogs are far less tolerant of other dogs because of proximity. Intimate and social spaces overlap, which creates tension; furthermore, socialisation is often inadequate. Missing body parts such as ears and tail also contribute to canine miscommunication.
Feral and country dogs are more patient when they encounter conspecifics because territories are larger, they don't live in close proximity, they're not forced to constantly interact, are properly socialised, and are often mixed breeds with intact morphological attributes. As a result, dogs who're left to explore the environment during critical periods tend to communicate more effectively.
When you think about it, it all makes sense. Urban dogs, like humans, are highly stressed because we live in such close proximity. We are often required to share intimate or social spaces, and worse, we're expected to continuously socialise with one another. I don't know about you, but I need time away from other people to recharge my batteries, but living in the downtown core makes that almost impossible. Urban canine culture isn't much different.
Modern Dogs
I see too many stressed out dogs in my practice, and it breaks my heart. Often, my first recommendation is to stop bringing your dog to daycare or work. Dogs love to be alone. Fact of the matter is, dogs evolved as a species because they no longer needed to live in groups. Feral dogs mostly live by themselves without help or contact from conspecfics. Even owning multiple dogs creates stress. Urban dogs need time alone to recharge their batteries. Think about it, would you love to spend every waking moment with your significant other? I mean to share the bathroom, bed, work space, dinner table, television, sofa, walk, and exercise together forever and ever. That would probably drive you insane, if not, it would certainly stress you out.
There's no need to feel guilty about leaving dogs home alone, they need it. You don't believe me? No worries. If you have two dogs, try to go on a walk one dog at a time and see how their behaviour changes. Do it for a couple days and note what's different. You'll undoubtedly see something changed.
Canine Culture
Dogs don't need to stop and interact with another dog for thirty seconds. If anything, this creates more stress than not. Try to remember the people you saw this morning when you went to work. Now imagine you stopped in front of each person, one at a time, and told them your age, gender, reproductive status, what you do for a living, medical history, level of physical fitness, what you ate for dinner last night, breakfast this morning, and when you last peed and pooped. This might sound silly, but I can assure you this is NOT socialisation, it's sheer madness.
Dogs don't need, nor want, to interact with one another on a continuous basis. I know I'm repeating myself, but I really want you to understand how important this is. Dogs have a communication system in place to actually avoid contact and conflict, it's called avoidance signals. Next time you're out, watch the dogs you meet. Most of them will break eye contact an turn their head, pretend sniff or gaze at an imaginary object to avoid contact. Dogs who stare have learned that they'll be forced to interact, so they give distance increasing behaviours which, as the term implies, serve to create distance between themselves and incoming dogs.
Dog, The Social Creature
Yes, socialisation is important; however, social interactions shouldn't be forced. Dogs should be allowed to socialise when and with whom they desire. Furthermore, some dogs are more social than others, just like people. Make sure your dogs has enough down time to recuperate from outings or social events. Some dogs need two or three days to recuperate and relax. Respect their rhythm and allow for long snoozes in the sun, doing nothing. If your dog loves to socialise, a normal socialisation session is approximately 15-20 minutes long. If you don't have that much time to devote to your dog's social experience, then don't stop, keep walking. Don't feel guilty about your dog's limited social life, chances are, they'll thank you for it with kisses and cuddles.
I want to finish this article with a question. I know I keep asking this over and over again, but I really want you to think about it, why do you have a dog? 90% of people I ask answer for companionship. If this is true, don't you think your dog should be a social bug with you, not the neighbour's dog?!
Dogs, Canis Familiaris, have evolved from their wild ancestor, the wolf, yet they no longer can be considered as the same species. Many biological and behavioural factors separate wolves from domestic dogs. I talked about those differences in Canine Conundrum, a while back. Since we know dogs aren't wolves, it becomes imperative to define what dogs are.
Domestication and Urbanisation
Domestication is all about removing, through selective breeding, flight distances. For generations, people have selected certain species of animals to stay in close proximity and eventually work with or for us. In that sense, dogs are domesticated and wolves are not. There's even a difference between feral [i], country, and urban dogs. City dogs are far less tolerant of other dogs because of proximity. Intimate and social spaces overlap, which creates tension; furthermore, socialisation is often inadequate. Missing body parts such as ears and tail also contribute to canine miscommunication.
Feral and country dogs are more patient when they encounter conspecifics because territories are larger, they don't live in close proximity, they're not forced to constantly interact, are properly socialised, and are often mixed breeds with intact morphological attributes. As a result, dogs who're left to explore the environment during critical periods tend to communicate more effectively.
When you think about it, it all makes sense. Urban dogs, like humans, are highly stressed because we live in such close proximity. We are often required to share intimate or social spaces, and worse, we're expected to continuously socialise with one another. I don't know about you, but I need time away from other people to recharge my batteries, but living in the downtown core makes that almost impossible. Urban canine culture isn't much different.
Modern Dogs
I see too many stressed out dogs in my practice, and it breaks my heart. Often, my first recommendation is to stop bringing your dog to daycare or work. Dogs love to be alone. Fact of the matter is, dogs evolved as a species because they no longer needed to live in groups. Feral dogs mostly live by themselves without help or contact from conspecfics. Even owning multiple dogs creates stress. Urban dogs need time alone to recharge their batteries. Think about it, would you love to spend every waking moment with your significant other? I mean to share the bathroom, bed, work space, dinner table, television, sofa, walk, and exercise together forever and ever. That would probably drive you insane, if not, it would certainly stress you out.
There's no need to feel guilty about leaving dogs home alone, they need it. You don't believe me? No worries. If you have two dogs, try to go on a walk one dog at a time and see how their behaviour changes. Do it for a couple days and note what's different. You'll undoubtedly see something changed.
Canine Culture
Dogs don't need to stop and interact with another dog for thirty seconds. If anything, this creates more stress than not. Try to remember the people you saw this morning when you went to work. Now imagine you stopped in front of each person, one at a time, and told them your age, gender, reproductive status, what you do for a living, medical history, level of physical fitness, what you ate for dinner last night, breakfast this morning, and when you last peed and pooped. This might sound silly, but I can assure you this is NOT socialisation, it's sheer madness.
Dogs don't need, nor want, to interact with one another on a continuous basis. I know I'm repeating myself, but I really want you to understand how important this is. Dogs have a communication system in place to actually avoid contact and conflict, it's called avoidance signals. Next time you're out, watch the dogs you meet. Most of them will break eye contact an turn their head, pretend sniff or gaze at an imaginary object to avoid contact. Dogs who stare have learned that they'll be forced to interact, so they give distance increasing behaviours which, as the term implies, serve to create distance between themselves and incoming dogs.
Dog, The Social Creature
Yes, socialisation is important; however, social interactions shouldn't be forced. Dogs should be allowed to socialise when and with whom they desire. Furthermore, some dogs are more social than others, just like people. Make sure your dogs has enough down time to recuperate from outings or social events. Some dogs need two or three days to recuperate and relax. Respect their rhythm and allow for long snoozes in the sun, doing nothing. If your dog loves to socialise, a normal socialisation session is approximately 15-20 minutes long. If you don't have that much time to devote to your dog's social experience, then don't stop, keep walking. Don't feel guilty about your dog's limited social life, chances are, they'll thank you for it with kisses and cuddles.
I want to finish this article with a question. I know I keep asking this over and over again, but I really want you to think about it, why do you have a dog? 90% of people I ask answer for companionship. If this is true, don't you think your dog should be a social bug with you, not the neighbour's dog?!
[i] dogs who have had no contact with humans during the critical period of socialisation.