City vs. Country Dog
We are in the process of moving from a populated subdivision to the country with almost 6 acres. We began taking Jasmine with us on our trips up there so that she can start getting used to her new surroundings. But if the truth be told, it has been more so that I can get used to having a dog in the country. What do I mean by that you might ask. In the subdivision I am truly the one in control of Jazz. I decide when we walk, when she “relieves” herself, where she can roam (which is a very small area), and who she interacts with (basically no other dogs in the neighborhood as we all have our dogs leashed and behind fences). Living like this is for her safety I know; letting a dog roam in the suburbs is simply not an option for so many reasons.
So when we decided to move, my greatest fear was loosing her. What if she was wandering in our very large yard and never came back, would she really come when I called her even if I could not see her, would she just bark and bark to the dogs that wander next door, or would she chase and kill the cats that are around and on and on were my concerns.
The first week that she was there, it was during a week that I was going up by myself to paint and unpack some boxes, etc. Mike has raised many dogs but Jasmine is my first one that I have raised since a pup. I was not so confident in how things were going to go and not at all confident in her instincts and in our relationship with each other–I did not trust her and I was wondering if she trusted me.
By the end of the week, we BOTH had grown so much in our relationship, in our trust, in our enjoyment and in our sheer joy of living in the country. Jasmine, as you may have guessed, has enormous instinct that guides her around the property, back home, and also guides her relationships with the neighboring dogs. She runs, plays, wanders, and checks in frequently with me (which is rewarded with a Waggin’ Delights treat of course!). She has lost weight, she looks incredible and she is so social with others (people and animals). I have beamed with pride as she comes when I call, plays nicely with Macy (the dog) next door and goes outside, explores and comes back. She has even figured out how to open the back door on her own so if I am a little slow, she can still get back in if she would like. I feel like she is a happier dog. AND I have become so aware and appreciative of the instincts and behaviors of dogs when they are allowed to be dogs. Jasmine wants to please me and given the fact that I feed her she returns and comes time and time again.
When Mike came back the following weekend he could not believe how Jasmine and I were interacting with each other, how calm I was about giving up some control over her, and how she was simply thriving in her new found “dogness.” She loves to hang out with me even more now that she did before. Maybe it is because now she has more choices and so often she chooses me. When I am unboxing and running up and down the stairs a hundred times in a day, she is too. When I painted she hung out and watched but listened so well when I told her to not cross a certain point (didn’t need painted doggie paws!). While at the same time she runs and plays outside as if she cannot get enough–but comes back when called.
Do you have an experience to share on city vs. country or in giving up some control over your dog and how that turned out?
Next time I will share on her newfound dog friendships…
