This weekend I discovered a new show, Dogs in the City. Justin Silver is a “dog trainer” who goes from client to client helping them with their dog training challenges. I’m typing this as I’m rewatching the first episode and I don’t like him. I don’t like him at all. Not because he’s a bad trainer (at least they say he’s a trainer), not because he doesn’t help his dogs, but because this one show pointed out something that I’m doing with my dogs and it bummed me out.
Beefy, Rose and Charlotte
In this episode, Justin works with a Bulldog named Beefy, a Bernese Mountain Dog named Rose, and an aggressive dog named Charlotte who bites people. I enjoyed his no nonsense attitude, I love that he doesn’t dance around the issues, I love that he quickly jumps in and starts addressing the issues.
We treat our dogs the way we want to be treated
What I learned and what annoyed me is that each of these people were doing something that dog lovers do – we treat our dogs like little people. And we treat them how we want to be treated. We want to be loved, respected, adored, forgiven, and every other positive emotion you can think of regarding our dogs. And sometimes in the process, we put the dogs in a the position to feel the need to protect us (Charlotte), our dogs think they need to be with us all the time (Beefy), and fall for that puppy face (Rose).
What I’ve learned from Dogs in the City
So as I type this, I’m leaving our dogs in the yard. They want to be in the house, but they should be outside, because (1) it’s gorgeous, (2) I’m not feeling well today and don’t have the energy for 3 dogs, and (3) I need to create that separation. Not to show that “they’re just dogs,” but to allow myself the time to recover from a cold, to allow myself the time to work out, and to allow alone time for me and my boyfriend. We’ll still spend loads of time with our three gorgeous dogs, but I know know that I need to allow our dogs to be dogs.
Although I think Justin Silver is great, I also think he sucks monkey butt, because he helped me face something that I knew to be true, but wouldn’t accept until now. I hope that our dogs will be happier for this separation, for the time they’re allowed to be dogs.
June 12, 2012 at 12:57 pm
You think he’s “great?” That’s not what I came here to hear!
June 12, 2012 at 1:22 pm
LOL – what did you think of him?
When it comes to “reality” tv, I take it all in stride and just enjoy it for what it is. I’m thinking of finding out how real dog trainers feel about the show. I’ve connected with one who hates him.
I think that’ll make a fascinating post.
I can only hope that others see it as “entertainment only” and don’t try and train their dogs based on his “training” style.
He definitely can’t replace our dog trainer.
Kimberly
Twitter: thefurmom
June 18, 2012 at 4:05 am
It’s good to hear that you’re one of the animal lovers out there. Like you’ve said, he’s an actor and a comedian. Maybe he’s just portraying some bad trainer as a role but not in reality. You gave me an interest to watch this TV show.
(dofollow)
Arjhae Nicol recently published..אוכל מוכן לשבת
June 18, 2012 at 11:03 am
The show is entertaining and I had fun watching it; but no show can replace the help of a professional dog trainer.
Thanks for stopping by!
Twitter: thefurmom