As many of you know, I am an experienced dog person. I am not a professional trainer, but by fostering and rehabilitating over 200 dogs, I have learned a lot about the human/dog relationship. Most of my learning has come through trial and error, but sometimes I get help along the way.
My first rescue was a 2-year-old, 70-pound, black German Shepherd named Abby. The rescue organization told me that she was a product of a divorce, meaning that she had no issues; but merely was in the wrong family at the wrong time. Over the next several years, my husband and I became convinced that she was the cause of the divorce.
Abby was a sweet, but difficult dog. She was anxious, paced constantly, barked, and whined incessantly. When I was away, she would bark nonstop, even though my daughter and her nanny were home. Most nights, she woke us up over the slightest sound, often her stress would result in stomach issues and she was a frequent visitor to the vet.
Each time the vet asked me how she was, I would smile and say what a great dog she was…but on her 5th birthday, I broke down and cried. I confessed about our struggles with her. I had convinced myself that I was too busy to make this dog happy; I was a working mom, with a big job, a husband, a large house, and volunteer activities.
The vet smiled.
“I think that I know what the problem is. Your dog is frustrated because she can’t do what she was bred to do,” she went on. “Your German Shepherd was bred to protect and herd, and she has nothing to do.”
“Many of the behavior problems that I see are due to a frustrated dog not doing what it was bred to do,” she continued. “Never get a dog with a purpose.”
Then she suggested that I get another dog.
I looked at her as if she were wearing a spacesuit. “Are you kidding, I am struggling with Abby, why would I get another dog?”
“She needs something to do, she needs someone to care for, to herd, to protect.”
In desperation, I took her advice and bought a sweet little cockapoo puppy named Sophie that even looked like a miniature sheep (since then I only rescue, but I was desperate). Everything changed.
Abby spent her days herding little Sophie, gently correcting, and protecting her. Abby would subtly lie between a visitor and Sophie. Once I understood Abby’s language, I would tell Abby that it was okay, and she would allow people to pet Sophie. Abby became relaxed, happy, confident.
It worked so well, that I rescued another cockapoo. Abby spent her days using her herding instincts, cutting them (a herder’s term for separating them), grouping them, leading them. The puppies loved it…they had a big sister that they could jump and play on; and Abby could finally fulfill her purpose.
Since then, I adopt dogs that have no purpose. The Cockapoos, Maltese’s, poodle mixes, Schnoodles, Shih Tzus that I have adopted had only one purpose. To love and be loved…that is something that I can do.
For potential dog owners, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a specific breed. But think about the original purpose of that breed and make sure that you can fulfill it. A border collie needs to run and herd. Smarter species (e.g., poodles, Havanese) need to exercise their brains (e.g., learning tricks). Retrievers need to retrieve, but it can be a tennis ball. If you are adopting a mixed breed, research all its likely breed instincts. And if you have a dog that is struggling, see if it is able to fulfill its purpose.
Dogs are lucky, they have one purpose their lives. But with us humans, it is a different story.
Our purposes change with circumstances and age. Since my unexpected retirement I have struggled finding my purpose. Before retirement, I had built-in purposes: get an education, work hard, raise my family, work on our marriage, etc. But now, it is more complicated. Some retirees have this figured out: some have hobbies that they deferred, some have looked into spirituality, others learn and do new things, others give back.
Dogs are lucky, their purpose is bred into them.
Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.
Hugh Panero says
Angela this was a lovely piece. Thanks for writing and sharing it. Our dog Ella Fitzgerald, a Whoodle (aka Wheaton Poodle mix), is one of those love junkies. Our daughter visits us regularly with her rescue Frankie, a Doberman Hound mix, who also is a lover. Then there is Otis Redding. Otis sound like your Abby. He is also a whoodle and a very anxious fellow who purpose is the bark at everyone. My daughter’s DC townhouse has many windows on each of its 3 floors to spy all potential intruders, which could be anyone passing by causing him to sound the alarm. There are many passerby’s. My daughter and her fiancé were forced to cover the lower portion of the windows to block his view and bring peace to the neighborhood — problem partially solved. When nighttime comes Otis joins the love brigade. We will now ponder what his bred purpose might be or if he just needs a good therapist.
Angela Rieck says
What wonderful dogs, and I love your solution with Otis…hopefully he will learn a new purpose from your “love” dogs.
Anne Stalfort says
I liked this article – a new perspective on choosing a dog. Thanks for educating me as we start our search for a dog.
Angela Rieck says
Good luck, dogs bring so much into my life and I hope you get the same joy with yours.
David D Reel says
Angela,
On occasion, we have disagreed on observations in your columns. On this one, we are in total agreement. More importantly, you have done a world of service to dog owners and dogs. We have had lots of dogs, almost all of which were adopted from less than ideal conditions. Lady, our Border Collie, had five homes before we got her. We think her spirit was broken, not by design by her previous owners, but out of “ignorance”. Lady was bred to be a herding dog and she was. She regularly herded all the young children in our neighborhood (gently but firmly) as well as all the other dogs in the neighborhood. After we got her and respected her natural instincts she was very content and very well behaved. While we had her, she lived out her purpose in life and hopefully forgot about her former lives. She, like all Border Collies, was very smart. We often said she knew almost immediately when we brought her home, this was her final stop. It was and we were richer for that.
Angela Rieck says
What a wonderful story. There are a lot of border collies in rescue for that reason, Lady was lucky to find her “furever” home with someone who understood her, and gave her a wonderful life filled with herding and love.
Alicia Harms-zjetome says
Love & appreciate this article so much. We rescued a stray pup in Panama & brought him to the US with us. He is a mix Afghan &!we believe GSD, but have not been able to confirm this. When we finally took him, he was walking on three legs, weighed 22 lbs and had been severely abused. He was just aboutv1 yr old according to our vet in Panama. But now approx 4 yrs old. He is an amazing, loving, caring 60 lb pup now- trusts us to no end, but is weary of strangers, other animals & I a true homebody. He not a runner. He is so attached to home & us. When we brought him home as a stray, we had a rescue Pomeranian (my daughter passed from Cancer after 6 yrs with this precious tiny Pomeranian) & they eventually became buddies. Our Pomeranian passed from heart condition (12 yrs old) on 2-2-21. As heartbroken as we were Our Sammy was & is still very sad & we know he misses her so much. Our neighbors have a new Maltese, small pup &!we are trying to socialize him with her but he wants no part of it. Sammy will growl, show his teeth &then hide behind us. We are looking for another rescue, but are so concerned that Sammy will feel slighted. He only knows the love & protection he has & has had since we rescued him. I might add that when we brought him into our lives,?Sammy did not bark for six months. One night he finally barked & his bark was loud & authorative. We were shocked & delighted to hear it. He sounded like a GSD. We had a GSD for 9 yrs & lost him to pancreatitis. We loved & adored him. How do we acclimate Sammy to a new buddie? Sammy was so abused, as we learned this from people in the area where we took him from. He had been kicked, belted, hit with hoses, garden tools, etc. We were heart broken when we learned this. He is much better. Sometimes a little skidish, but doesn’t run away & hide. He is smart – he stands back & observes. He has learned that he is never yelled at and never hit in anyway. He has learned how to. Play & have fun now. He is a beautiful pup – 65 lbs, the beautiful body of s hound & beautiful face of a Shepard. He is so loving & cuddly & loved to be brushed.
Angela Rieck says
Rescue can be hard, but it is always rewarding…good luck with your guy, he sounds like he is worth it!