My blog today is a little bit of thought about the dialogues that often take place on social media in various dog forums. Here, many topics often become "black and white" - meaning that you have to choose one OR the other for your dog. Maybe because things move quickly, and "one-liners" are all there is time for to get your message across? Or because we forget that other people's reality or circumstances are different from our own? However, I would like to advocate for more nuances and to respect that others choose differently than ourselves. For example, I usually find that "both and" is often the right thing for my dogs.
A few months ago I wrote a blog about letting your dog "be a dog". There were many lovely comments about all the dogs who were given the opportunity to develop as dogs, for example by being allowed to sniff, dig, chew, bathe, etc. And also comments that it was "a shame for the dog" if it had to run, for example - because then it couldn't develop its natural behavior and sniff along the way. Those comments got my thoughts going, because it's not the first time I've heard something similar.
My dogs are "running dogs", and I don't think that means they aren't allowed to express their natural behavior. No: After all, there are very few dogs that can be 100% allowed to make decisions and be "natural" all the time. As part of the family, as sports dogs or training companions, we expect the dog to occasionally adapt and behave as we ask of it. The dog works for dog training, agility - and when it has to walk nicely on a leash. And that's why I get a little annoyed when people say that things can't be combined, especially when it comes to running. My dogs are probably "at work" with running for a maximum of about 2 hours a week. And we only run as long as they think it's fun. In addition, they have the rest of the week's walks to sniff and investigate everything they want. So do we need to insist on "either or" in order to have good dog lives? Perhaps you could see the different activities as good opportunities for your dog to do different things and have a wide range of experiences? Some dogs love to run - others don't. So why choose the same solution for everyone?
In the same way, there can be opinions about everything from equipment to training methods or food. Should I choose either a collar or a harness? - Well, I use "both and". Depending on the situation and the purpose. In the same way, I don't stick to one method of training. And food: yes, I can even mix dry food and raw food. Again depending on what the purpose is. At certain times, my dogs need a different diet composition than others due to hard training - and that's why I choose "both and"...
The most important thing about having a dog is of course to give it what you think is the best possible dog life. And there are many right paths to that goal. And yes: thus "either or" can also be the right path for someone. But just remember that your neighbor and his dog may have a different path than yours. And let's accept other people's choices and take the time to understand each other and see the nuances instead of just "black or white". If you think that running for a walk is not for your dog, then I respect your choice. With the hope that you also accept that my dogs and I are different and have great joy in running together. So you don't have to feel sorry for them.
Photos: Tails by Ragno
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower
Why are we so busy with "either-or"?
My blog today is a little bit of thought about the dialogues that often take place on social media in various dog forums. Here, many topics often become "black and white" - meaning that you have to choose one OR the other for your dog. Maybe because things move quickly, and "one-liners" are all there is time for to get your message across? Or because we forget that other people's reality or circumstances are different from our own? However, I would like to advocate for more nuances and to respect that others choose differently than ourselves. For example, I usually find that "both and" is often the right thing for my dogs.
A few months ago I wrote a blog about letting your dog "be a dog". There were many lovely comments about all the dogs who were given the opportunity to develop as dogs, for example by being allowed to sniff, dig, chew, bathe, etc. And also comments that it was "a shame for the dog" if it had to run, for example - because then it couldn't develop its natural behavior and sniff along the way. Those comments got my thoughts going, because it's not the first time I've heard something similar.
My dogs are "running dogs", and I don't think that means they aren't allowed to express their natural behavior. No: After all, there are very few dogs that can be 100% allowed to make decisions and be "natural" all the time. As part of the family, as sports dogs or training companions, we expect the dog to occasionally adapt and behave as we ask of it. The dog works for dog training, agility - and when it has to walk nicely on a leash. And that's why I get a little annoyed when people say that things can't be combined, especially when it comes to running. My dogs are probably "at work" with running for a maximum of about 2 hours a week. And we only run as long as they think it's fun. In addition, they have the rest of the week's walks to sniff and investigate everything they want. So do we need to insist on "either or" in order to have good dog lives? Perhaps you could see the different activities as good opportunities for your dog to do different things and have a wide range of experiences? Some dogs love to run - others don't. So why choose the same solution for everyone?
In the same way, there can be opinions about everything from equipment to training methods or food. Should I choose either a collar or a harness? - Well, I use "both and". Depending on the situation and the purpose. In the same way, I don't stick to one method of training. And food: yes, I can even mix dry food and raw food. Again depending on what the purpose is. At certain times, my dogs need a different diet composition than others due to hard training - and that's why I choose "both and"...
The most important thing about having a dog is of course to give it what you think is the best possible dog life. And there are many right paths to that goal. And yes: thus "either or" can also be the right path for someone. But just remember that your neighbor and his dog may have a different path than yours. And let's accept other people's choices and take the time to understand each other and see the nuances instead of just "black or white". If you think that running for a walk is not for your dog, then I respect your choice. With the hope that you also accept that my dogs and I are different and have great joy in running together. So you don't have to feel sorry for them.
Photos: Tails by Ragno
About the blogger:
Karoline lives in Birkerød with her boyfriend and their two golden retrievers, Frida and Vilde. Karoline is a trained veterinarian and dog trainer and is co-founder of the dog running club Dirty Paws, where she is also a trainer/rope keeper in the local club in North Zealand. Frida and Line love running canicross together and have participated in many competitions at home and abroad, including the European Championships and the World Championships. Their most important motto, however, is "Better together" - that the trips are about teamwork and understanding for each other. And that everyone can join in. In addition to canicross, they also participate in K9 biathlons (obstacle races with dogs) and do dog fitness. And hiking both in Denmark and around Europe is also a hit.
Frida is a super fast runner when it comes to it. And can hike for hours in the Alps. But she also just loves to be petted on the stomach and sleep for a long time. She can be stubborn as a donkey if there is something she doesn't like. On evening walks, for example, she is the one who decides the route. And she "talks" a lot by purring, including when she thinks she has earned an extra treat.
Vilde is from the spring of 2023 - and in many ways Frida's opposite. She is full of mischief and always happy and cheeky. She can howl like a wolf or jump like a kangaroo when she gets impatient - and otherwise she is a smart and brave girl who loves wild play and training. She will do pretty much anything for a treat.
Frida, Vilde and Karoline can be found on Instagram with the profile @teamgoldenpower