Personalities and the Dogs We Love

After reading the post "The Right Dog" on "The Other End of the Leash" (Patricia McConnell), about how well our personalities coincide with the dogs we choose to share our lives with, it got me thinking about my own dogs, and how they've fit in our family.
*If you are interested in dogs and their behaviour, I highly recommend that you read Patricia McConnell's blog (above) or any of her books for that matter. She is an excellent writer and a wealth of knowledge on the subject.

Brandy? Yes, well, she is "the one". The similarities between our personalities are uncanny. The stubborn, back-talking, independent little brat with an extremely intelligent mind of her own, who is well read, some-what clean and hates following others can describe Brandy, or, if you like, it can describe me rather well. We just mesh and fit well together. We love our own space, are not clingy or needy, love to be active, physically and mentally, we get antsy when we don't get our daily exercise (but I don't chew my feet...wait, that's not true!), and we want things our own way, though we will defer to others on occasion...grudgingly.

After contemplating the above paragraph, I find it amazing how alike we really are. It seems almost impossible to be that similar to a creature who is not of our own species. But there it is, and when you think about it, dogs really are not that unlike us in many ways (besides the rear-end olfactory romps).

That is not to say that she wasn't a pain in the a$$ when we first got her. Heck, she was our first dog, and we hadn't a clue. The sassy little brat was a handful when she was tiny, and took to humping my calf as a favorite passed time until we took matters from her paws, and into our own hands - ah, puppy class. As soon as structure and training ensued, we had the "perfect" dog, in my eyes. Granted, she's quirky at times, again, not unlike myself, but I'm an artist, that's my excuse, and she's a Jack Russell, so I guess that's hers.

Mack, on the other hand, oh Mack. I will fully admit, he just doesn't fit in as well. He's dense, goopey, not well read, is anxious, needy, clingy, bossy but unsure, and basically unstable to put it nicely. His personality completely clashes with my own and Brandy's. I know for a fact, because she's confided in me, that Brandy barely tolerates him. I think it might be the smell, but I'm not sure. I won't claim him to be my dog, as he really falls under my hubby's jurisdiction, and I am truly ok with that as our relationship is rocky at best (not with my hubby, with the dog).  (Mack and my other half do get along, it could be the gas, or even the messiness that draws them together, I'll never know for sure.)

Delving into the personalities of my own dogs allows me to see why and how our relationships are the way they are. The closer in personality to your canine companion seems to point to better relationships, understanding and bonding. The further you are, personality wise, the further you will be relationship wise. This leads me to draw the conclusion that not all dogs will fit well into all house-holds. Sometimes it's in everyone's best interest to allow that dog to move on to a family that fits better in regards to personality, so that the dog, and yourself, will have a happier, more fulfilling life. At times that's just the way things need to be, and though it may be tough, in the end, it's well worth it for both sides. If you have that dog who fits you like a glove, consider yourself lucky, as the assets that you gain from that relationship are amazing to say the least.

The idea of personality matching, such as the one noted in Patricia's blog (Main Line Mutt Match), is a good one, and something that all prospective dog owners should consider when they are thinking of adding a new member to the house-hold (speak to breeders or shelters about temperament tests and personality indicators). The better the personality match, the better you will all get along, and isn't that the point?

Aggressive Dogs in Beginner Class?

My thoughts? Well, here goes, with a grain of salt.

I think dog aggressive canines can do well in a beginner group class setting under the proper instruction. Though I do believe that they should be privately assessed first for the level and type of aggression that they are displaying. Fear aggression needs to be handled somewhat differently than pure aggression, prey aggression etc.

If the levels are high, they should be worked in a private class first, one on one with the instructor, encouraging desensitization, and only then progress to the group class environment. If the levels are low to medium, sure, let 'em in. They can then learn how to behave appropriately around other canines with a positive, but firm approach. Of course, the handlers level of experience, knowledge and comfort definitely comes into play. If the handler can not control the dog in a proper fashion as directed by the instructor, or is not comfortable handling their dog around others, well, back to privates for them.

On the other hand, I do not believe that human aggressive canines should be in a beginner group class setting and here's why.

Too many people, including instructors, do not know how to appropriately deal with a human aggressive canine. There is a huge liability to the instructor/school if the dog happens to break free of it's owner and go after another student, and of course this means there is a huge safety issue for the rest of the students in the class. The other students are probably not be well versed in how to avoid a confrontation with a human aggressive dog. The "flooding" of people in this situation can cause more agitation and frustrate the dog further, causing it to retain it's aggressive view to people. And, of course, situations play out differently if it is fear aggression, or pure aggression.

In human aggressive canines, it is more common to see fear aggression towards people rather then true aggression, and private instruction on desensitization is very necessary. These dogs can be a huge liability and must be managed correctly in order for them to live safely and comfortably around people. I will not delve into details on how to desensitize here, but it is my opinion that these dogs do not benefit from a group class setting in beginner training or being flooded with people who have no idea how to react around this kind of canine.

In all my years around dogs, dog sports and training classes, I've seen only one truly human aggressive dog, actively displaying some fear aggression but becoming more confident in the situation, though the dog looked to be badly trained in some sort of personal protection venue. It's reactivity was quite high, especially around women, which is an oddity in itself because fearful dogs on the whole, normally display stronger reactions (be it fight or flight) to men rather than woman. And the fact that it looked to be well over 90 pounds didn't add any positivity to the situation.

Not by my choice, this story hasn't ended yet, but I'm curious to see the outcome, so we shall see if I come away with all of my limbs intact in the end.

Handle with care...

EDITED Nov. 25, 2009 - Whew, said dog has been removed from class to work one-on-one with the trainer (what I was hoping to see). I'm not afraid of dogs, not even nervous around aggressive ones, but I'm glad to know that my limbs will be kept intact for later use.