We need to demonstrate that we have a handle on the whole situation—daily life in the home with all of the members of our social group and the many moods and behaviors those people display. Being aware that even little events affect him, we simply want to show him each and every time that the captain has everything under control. When we realistically don’t, the best thing to do is to get him out of Dodge so he isn’t witnessing the chaos. For instance, when a grumpy person storms dramatically into the room, we could give the dog instructions to “Come here and lie down by me” to let him know that we will handle things and keep him safe, or simply remove him from the scene so he doesn’t have to wonder if he should do something about the tension.

Our dog’s family (be it two or twenty members) needs to be understood as a critically important element of our dog’s environment. We also need to ensure that his relationship with each passenger on the boat is healthy and respectful. This means rules for everyone on board to keep order and prevent chaos.

Every relationship boils down to a contract of sorts between two individuals. Trust is based on the understandings and agreements about the terms—what the expectations and responsibilities are, what rules need to be followed, where the boundaries lie, what the routines look like. The dance of the relationship between two individuals can be an unbelievably beautiful thing when everyone is on the same page about their own part and that of their partner. In each family, there is an atmosphere created by a collection of all of those relationships between its members—one that plays a large part in your dog’s overall environment. We can’t control every nuance between all of the passengers on board, but it is indeed our responsibility to have an awareness of the power of family in our dog’s life.

In order for us to fully enjoy our dog (and therefore save him from possible misunderstandings and disastrous ends), we must understand the role that his surroundings play in his behavior, and take steps to make him feel truly at home as the dog that he is. It is a constant balancing act to create a life that offers plenty of suitable thrills and fulfillment within a comforting framework of stability. He is counting on us to make the world—the environmental shoe—fit as perfectly as it can.

The “New” Age—OMG!

“Wow! It’s NEW!” We are helplessly hooked by novelty. On a biological and neurological level, “new” things arouse our senses, our bodies, and our minds. Anything out of the ordinary gets our attention and energy. To a point, this is helpful for all of us animals—people, dogs, and everything in between. The natural world is no static place; change is inevitable. We have to be able to keep up.