Letter to the Author Seeking advice

copyright 2010 Kiefer

Dear Ms. Kiefer,
I am an older male dog fortunate enough to reside temporarily at a leading No Kill organization.   However, it seems that my age is not quite the bees-knees when it comes to finding a permanent home.  I’m not sure why as I’ve been told wisdom is a plus.
Outside of the issue of barking a severe scolding at any dog that happens to pass by my kennel on one of their daily walks, I can't quite figure out WHY nobody seems to give me a second glance.
While I admit that I can look a bit rough around the edges, I think it is simply a matter of a good bath, and perhaps a better understanding of canine machismo.  It is, after all, MY kennel they're passing, and if I am not napping at the moment, I simply wish to remind them of that.  When one has lived for a bit in a shelter environment, even with the most careful and generous caretakers, one tends to become a bit territorial.
My question is, when do I know that the right family has come to adopt me?  What sort of family should I be looking for?  It might make it easier for all of us if we're in agreement about temperament (theirs) energy levels (mine) willingness to take long walks (theirs) ability to relearn good social skills (mine) a desire to enroll in obedience training (theirs and mine) and a credible amount of patience (theirs) to wait for however long it takes for me to figure out what I'm being asked to do.  I don't speak English per se, but am willing to learn as many commands as any owner can come up with.  I think I may even be quite capable of some marvelous tricks.
Thank you for your continued support,
Never Too Old For Love
***************
My Dear Mr. Love,
It is indeed the wise dog who knows to ask questions about the proper family for him.  While I commend you for admitting your addiction to territorial barking, I think perhaps you may put too much weight on it as an issue to finding the right family.  Think of it as an excellent way to weed out anyone without the time and patience for such an enthusiastic and intelligent dog.
I have found that one of the most efficient ways to discover whether or not an owner is capable of understanding one's peccadilloes is to stand at the kennel door looking ridiculously adorable and occasionally jumping at the kennel latch to show one's enthusiasm for affection and walks while perhaps exhibiting a wee lack of self-control in the good habits department. I've seen for myself how many dogs cooped up a lot are actually very good about waiting patiently for me to come into a kennel and leash them up without losing their cool if I simply remember to ask them to behave and wait patiently for them to work out what I want.
However, down to the real business.  To really put a new owner through his or her paces, I suggest that once you are brought out for a test drive around the grounds, try to be a very mild handful on the end of the leash whenever another dog passes by.  I know you may seem quite ferocious about it to the untrained eye, but in my experience, it’s simply a symptom of shelter life and your handler should explain for you that you are neither obsessive or anxious about it.  Just a bit of a yeller.  I tend to think of it as "grumpy un-walked syndrome."  It's not an attractive habit, but hardly incurable or patently dangerous.
After testing your potential family’s patience for a bit, you’ll know they’re the right one when they ask for counsel from your caretakers and learn that your unwanted behaviors are certainly not permanent if  proper rules, boundaries and limitations are set in place and you receive a healthy dollop of obedience school and plenty of exercise.
Please don't hesitate to follow-up with me when you find your new home.  If you’re still having trouble with old habits, I can advise your family to seek the advice of a good rehabilitationist to figure out where the miscommunication is occurring between you and your owners.
Best of Luck,
Katrina
Dog Bone Studios
p.s.  Would you perhaps be willing to pose for some photographs outdoors soon?
Suggested Reading Including Instructive Slide Shows:

• Poll - How well do you speak dogglish?
• Poll Answers and why we should learn better dogglish

Useful Training Tool
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Dog Bone to Pick: Many of Albemarle County's hounds are of noble ancestry, but still victims of a modern plight

There are conflicting stories about the origins of the Virginia hounds eventually known as the Treeing Walker Coonhound, but according to the United Kennel Club's breed description, credit for the foundation strains of this scenthound goes to two Virginia residents, two Kentuckians, and a purloined pooch of unknown ancestry with hunting characteristics considered outstanding.
The contributing Virginians were Albemarle County resident Thomas Walker and none other than the George Washington, an avid fox hunter himself.  Both imported English Foxhounds in the mid 18th century.  It is these hounds that became the foundation strain of the "Virginia hound", which was later developed into the Walker hound.
Later, the two Kentuckians pictured below, John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin, developed the original Virginia hounds that we now call the Treeing Walker Coonhound, from certain strains of English Walker foxhounds and the stolen dog Tennessee Lead, pictured here with Walker and Maupin.

By C. J. Prouty, 1907. (From July 1923 TheChase Magazine)
The UKC considers the outcross with this stolen dog a major and defining influence on the breed we know and love today.  Click here to read more about the history of this breed.
Noble Spirits deserve better
The SPCA relates that a higher than usual influx of lost hunting dogs occurs at the end of hunting season, but no influx of hound enthusiasts ready to adopt.  SPCA Director Susanne Kogut was once quoted saying "At the SPCA, the most ill-mannered Golden Retriever or Labrador will be adopted within days or hours, but a calm, well-behaved hound may wait months to find a new home. For evidence, just walk around the SPCA and you will see a disproportionate number of hounds and black cats. Kogut pointed out that “the great thing about animals is they love us unconditionally, no matter what we look like, and maybe it is time for us to offer back that same unconditional love.”
So if you're considering adopting a new dog, go have a nice long look at the CASPCA's hounds. They deserve more than a second glance.  And if you take one out for a test drive around the property you'll be as smitten as the author is with these amazingly loving, smart, and genuinly funny animals.
 Adopt a Senior Hound for Christmas: $50
Dogfood for a year: $1.50 a day
A living piece of Albemarle history that gives slobbery kisses and unconditional love:  priceless
There is another story about George Washington, the Marquis de LaFayette,  a young and irresponsible John Quincy Adams, French Foxhounds and a legend that may explain the origin of the first basset hound in America.  It's worth a read.
 [originally posted at examiner.com]

Temperment Match - What do I look for in a Human?

Dear Dog Bone to Pick,

Perhaps you remember me from our twice-weekly walks.  My name is Syd and my brother and I are shepherd-ish mixed-breed dogs, though I believe there may be some large terrier somewhere in the family closet.  Mother never did say.  I happen to be fortunate enough to reside temporarily at the Charlottesville SPCA, one of the No Kill Organization's leading shelters for animals.   However, it seems that my brother and I are not quite the bees-knees, as it were, when it comes to finding a permanent home. 

I know, you may think that it is because there are two of us.  Believe me, my brother and I would be more than happy to live in separate homes.  We're slightly older dogs and perfectly capable of taking care of our own families apart from one another. 

Outside of the issue of barking a severe scolding at a dog that happens to pass by our kennels on one of their daily walks, we can't quite figure out WHY nobody seems to give us a second glance.  

While I admit that I can look a bit rough around the edges, I think it is simply a matter of a good bath, and perhaps a better understanding of canine machismo.  It is, after all, MY kennel they're passing, and if I am not napping at the moment, I simply wish to remind them of that. Do you feel that having one of the shelter volunteers work with me on this mild issue will help? When one has lived for a bit in a shelter environment, even with the most careful and generous caretakers, one tends to become a bit territorial.  

I understand from a certain volunteer handler that my behavior may even be temporary or can be eliminated altogether with the proper obedience training.  I'm not so sure of that.  I really do have a thing for household, yard and family protection from other beasts, but if she says it can be done, I am most willing to try.  I cannot speak for my brother, though he admittedly is mildly less finicky in the territorial department and may not need quite as much understanding.  Mother always did love him more.

My question is, when do I know that the right family has come to adopt me?  What sort of family should I be looking for?  It might make it easier for all of us if we're in agreement about temperament (theirs) energy levels (mine) willingness to take long walks (theirs) ability to relearn good social skills (mine) a desire to enroll in obedience training (theirs and mine) and a credible amount of patience (theirs) to wait for however long it takes for me to figure out what I'm being asked to do.  I don't speak English per se, but am willing to learn as many commands as any owner can come up with.  I think I may be quite capable of some marvelous tricks.

Thank you for your continued support,

Syd (right side kennels, all the way to the back)

***************

My Dear Syd,

Of course I remember you. And thank you for your inquiry.  

It is indeed the wise dog who knows to ask questions about the proper family for him.  While I commend you for admitting your addiction to territorial barking, I think perhaps you may put too much weight on it as an issue to finding the right family.  Think of it as an excellent way to weed out anyone without the time and patience for such an enthusiastic and intelligent dog. 

I have found that one of the most efficient ways to discover whether or not an owner is capable of understanding one's peccadilloes, is to stand at the kennel door looking ridiculously adorable and occasionally jumping at the kennel latch to show one's enthusiasm for affection and walks while occasionally exhibiting a wee lack of self-control in the poor habits department. I've been told by a certain handler/rehabillitationist that you're actually quite a dream to leash up and very good about waiting patiently for her to come into your kennel without losing your cool.  She says that one simply needs to ask you for this good behavior and exhibit some patience while you work out the request.  It's excellent to be very obedient in this department as it bodes well for any future training.  Good for you.  

However, down to the real business.  To really put a new owner through his or her paces, I suggest that once you are brought out for a test drive around the grounds, try to be a very mild handful on the end of the leash whenever another dog passes by.  I know you may seem quite ferocious about it to the untrained eye, but from my prior observations, you are neither obsessive or anxious about it.  Just a bit of a yeller, yes?  I tend to think of it as "grumpy worker syndrome."  It's not an attractive habit, but hardly incurable or patently dangerous.

I believe we both know that you may simply be dealing with the frustration of a long stay at the shelter.  The right family can hopefully be counseled to understand that your behavior is not necessarily permanent and with proper rules, boundaries and limitations set in place -- coupled with a healthy dollop of obedience school -- you will undoubtedly make a tremendously loyal, loving pet.

Please don't hesitate to follow-up with me tomorrow when I arrive for your morning constitution.

Katrina

Dog Bone Studios

p.s.  Would you perhaps be willing to pose for some photographs outdoors?