When It Comes to Their Dogs, The English Do It Right
A popular stereotype of the English is that they only show affection toward their dogs and horses, and funnily enough, this isn't far off the truth.
But one thing that is absolutely true is that when it comes to dog training, obedience, and behavior (or behaviour), the English seem to know something that many American dog owners don't - how to raise a calm, friendly, sociable dog.
But just what do the English do differently than Americans with respect to dog ownership? Having lived in both countries, and having brought my American-born-and-raised German Shepherds across the pond, I can speak from first-hand experience.
Both of my dogs have thrived in England, and as a result of living the way English dogs do, they've both grown much more outgoing and sociable, with people and other dogs alike, than they were in the States.
Much of the difference in how dogs behave in the two countries, unfortunately, comes down not to the dogs themselves, or even to the dog owners, but to the way dogs in general are perceived and treated.
Dogs are an integral part of English life, and not just to country dwellers.
In England, dogs are allowed, and welcomed, in places where it would be inconceivable to allow them in America.
From pubs to stores to repair shops, you can find dogs lying underfoot, behaving for all the world as if they belong there - because they do.
I've had both of my German Shepherds in a pub at the same time on more than one occasion, and although they got noticed (because they're beautiful dogs), no one batted an eye or complained.
If they'd been noisy or causing problems, obviously this wouldn't have been the case, but because they were calmly lying under the table while we ate dinner, having two big, muddy dogs in a pub was perfectly normal.
Can you imagine this happening in the USA? When I first brought my dogs to England, I always walked them on leash, because in America, that's just what you do.
Then, because my dogs are friendly toward other dogs, I started to wonder why people we passed always put their dogs on leash and tried to avoid us as we approached.
It turns out that in most places in England, walking your dog off leash (or lead, as it's called) is the norm, and you only have your dog on leash if it's necessary or required by law.
Most English dog owners who see dogs coming toward them on leash assume that the dogs are hooked up because they're not well-controlled or not friendly; hence the reason everyone was initially avoiding mine.
What a tremendous surprise to learn that my dogs were encouraged by English society to run free and just act like dogs when on a walk! Being able to just be dogs - chasing squirrels, playing with other dogs, sniffing all those interesting smells - without being tethered to me has done more to promote my dogs' mental health than all the obedience training I did with them in the States.
Americans would see such a wonderful change in their own dogs if they would only allow them to live more as English dogs do.
Of course, the other side to this is that in order for your dogs to run off leash and enjoy themselves they do have to be trained.
Before you leave them to their own devices, you have to make sure they'll come when called and that they're sociable when meeting other dogs and people.
Once you've worked with your dogs to ensure these issues are resolved, then you'll have the pleasure of watching as your dog gets to be...
a dog.
And there's nothing more rewarding than seeing your dog running as he was meant to run, chasing as he was meant to chase, and racing toward you with a big doggy grin on his face as he revels in his well-earned freedom!
But one thing that is absolutely true is that when it comes to dog training, obedience, and behavior (or behaviour), the English seem to know something that many American dog owners don't - how to raise a calm, friendly, sociable dog.
But just what do the English do differently than Americans with respect to dog ownership? Having lived in both countries, and having brought my American-born-and-raised German Shepherds across the pond, I can speak from first-hand experience.
Both of my dogs have thrived in England, and as a result of living the way English dogs do, they've both grown much more outgoing and sociable, with people and other dogs alike, than they were in the States.
Much of the difference in how dogs behave in the two countries, unfortunately, comes down not to the dogs themselves, or even to the dog owners, but to the way dogs in general are perceived and treated.
Dogs are an integral part of English life, and not just to country dwellers.
In England, dogs are allowed, and welcomed, in places where it would be inconceivable to allow them in America.
From pubs to stores to repair shops, you can find dogs lying underfoot, behaving for all the world as if they belong there - because they do.
I've had both of my German Shepherds in a pub at the same time on more than one occasion, and although they got noticed (because they're beautiful dogs), no one batted an eye or complained.
If they'd been noisy or causing problems, obviously this wouldn't have been the case, but because they were calmly lying under the table while we ate dinner, having two big, muddy dogs in a pub was perfectly normal.
Can you imagine this happening in the USA? When I first brought my dogs to England, I always walked them on leash, because in America, that's just what you do.
Then, because my dogs are friendly toward other dogs, I started to wonder why people we passed always put their dogs on leash and tried to avoid us as we approached.
It turns out that in most places in England, walking your dog off leash (or lead, as it's called) is the norm, and you only have your dog on leash if it's necessary or required by law.
Most English dog owners who see dogs coming toward them on leash assume that the dogs are hooked up because they're not well-controlled or not friendly; hence the reason everyone was initially avoiding mine.
What a tremendous surprise to learn that my dogs were encouraged by English society to run free and just act like dogs when on a walk! Being able to just be dogs - chasing squirrels, playing with other dogs, sniffing all those interesting smells - without being tethered to me has done more to promote my dogs' mental health than all the obedience training I did with them in the States.
Americans would see such a wonderful change in their own dogs if they would only allow them to live more as English dogs do.
Of course, the other side to this is that in order for your dogs to run off leash and enjoy themselves they do have to be trained.
Before you leave them to their own devices, you have to make sure they'll come when called and that they're sociable when meeting other dogs and people.
Once you've worked with your dogs to ensure these issues are resolved, then you'll have the pleasure of watching as your dog gets to be...
a dog.
And there's nothing more rewarding than seeing your dog running as he was meant to run, chasing as he was meant to chase, and racing toward you with a big doggy grin on his face as he revels in his well-earned freedom!
