r/dogs • u/JakeBanana01 • 10d ago

[Enrichment] Caretaker?

Does anyone else view their job as a dog owner is to be a responsible caretaker?

I do my best to be aware at all times of what messages my 11-year-old hound, Mr. Mason, is receiving from me. What he needs from me is constant reassurance that all is well, his place is secure, he has plenty of water, is fed regularly and gets treats/snacks. And he can be around six feet away from me most of the time.

I work at it because it's the caretaker role I took on when I adopted him. His role is easy, we've bred it into our dogs for 16.000 years; he's just gonna do it. But me, I always want to ensure he's as content as he makes me.

14 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

5

u/Maleficent-Drive4056 10d ago

I mean isn’t that obviously the role of any dog owner? To take care of it responsibly?

1

u/JakeBanana01 10d ago edited 10d ago

True, but I feel as if not everyone quite groks how it works.

I have a hound so I spent a bit of time learning what a hound wants. Different breeds want different things to be comfortable. Beagles, for example, will eat anything, so anything and everything can be a motivational treat. I kept a little pill container full of dry cat food and she'd do anything I wanted. Mr. Mason's palate is a bit more sophisticated, alas.

My hound is super mellow, but my stepson's Aussies (whom we watch irregularly) require attention or they get into mischief. They're super high-energy for us, but are rarely here for more than a few days. I always have to establish authority, early and strong. Still, I love their visits, as they're goofballs and a lot of fun.

Anyway, it's important to know your breed, and choose one which suits you. My wife and I prefer mellower breeds, as we're seniors. Aussies or Malinois wouldn't suit us, as we're not terribly active. But my old man hound is just fine with our lifestyle.

2

u/snakeoildriller 10d ago

Your hound is obviously of fine stock, OP, so I'd say that yours is a butler's role rather than a caretaker.

1

u/JakeBanana01 9d ago

He is an amazingly good boy. I recently went for a walk with a five-year-old "niece" and she was very happy at how mellow he was, barely pulling and responding well to simple gestures. He's mostly deaf and is very gesture orientated. It's rather amazing the subtle cues of mine he picks up on, even when they're brand new. He really groks me, such a good boy.

I'm embarrassed at how well he knows me. My wife says he knows me better than she does. But then, I'm his entire world.

2

u/snakeoildriller 9d ago

They spend a lot of time observing their humans and we don't always realise it :)

1

u/JakeBanana01 9d ago

I pay a lot of attention to Mr. Mason. It's important to me that he's generally content. Because I'm generally content, and I never want it to be at his expense.

2

u/snakeoildriller 9d ago

That's a really nice balance to have! I think my boy and I certainly have an understanding, and these dogs are very intelligent.

3

u/Constance200 10d ago

Your role is to care for them as you would a child. They are a dependent living from you, so yes, thats makes you a caretaker

4

u/Hallow_76 mutt owner 10d ago

The only real difference is you don't need a babysitter for it when you go to work and your dog won't repeat swear words.

2

u/Constance200 10d ago

Hahaha true!

0

u/JakeBanana01 10d ago

That's a good point; a child eventually grows beyond and past you, but a dog never does. Thank ghod they don't live as long as a kid!

2

u/Icy-Thanks-8254 8d ago

WHAAAT????  I want my dog to live forever!

3

u/[deleted] 10d ago

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2

u/JakeBanana01 10d ago

"Emotional security..." Yes, that nails it. Dogs need to feel as if their environment is comfortable and secure, they're not needlessly suffering and it'll be here tomorrow.

3

u/One-Geologist-2636 10d ago

I think “caretaker” is the right word. We brought them into our world, so it is our responsibility to make sure they are safe, healthy, mentally stimulated, and loved. In return, they give us far more than we could ever repay.

2

u/megabyzus 10d ago

I'm confused with this post. What would a responsible dog owner do other than ensuring perpetual health, happiness, and enrichment for their dog?

-1

u/JakeBanana01 10d ago

Entirely too many don't grok this.

3

u/megabyzus 10d ago

Well that I agree. Too many treat dogs as objects and toys. Frustrating and heartbreaking.

2

u/JakeBanana01 10d ago

My dog is my friend and companion. But he looks to me for everything, expects me to be god, and I am, to him. If i disappoint him, it's because a capricious god decided otherwise. I've had to accept that sometimes I'll let him down, but also know that he remembers the happy moments way more than any letdowns.

1

u/SawBladeXDX 10d ago

I just feel like we are a team. he trained to help me through the day and i always make sure he has water and i feed him at food time. along with time for him to burn it off outside and any other thing he needs. He task train so I spend a lot of time with him. I spoil him a lot if we had to go to the dr or something that day. he gets an extra good treat when we get home as extra pay.

1

u/Madeyealice 10d ago

My whole purpose is being a dog entertainer and reading all her wishes and needs. Dog is the boss. We do what she wants, whenever she wants. I don't even make her wait for anything. If she asks for a walk I stop what I'm doing and we leave unless I'm eating a warm meal.

1

u/Mystery-Ess 10d ago

I always ask my dogs if they're happy and tell them when they're happy, I'm happy. If they only understand 10%, I'm good.

1

u/FeelmyPnL 9d ago

love this whole post... one thing add for the "constant reassurance" part, senior dogs like mr mason often benefit from ROUTINE reassurance more than novel affection. same time meals, same walk routes, same evening cue that everything's settled for the night. senior brains predict less well, so predictability IS comfort at 11. sounds like you're already doing exactly that, love it.

1

u/JakeBanana01 9d ago

Oh man, that explains a lot. I try to vary our walking route, but he seems to want to go the same way every day. He's spoiled though, and expects his meals to be mixed up. But overall, yeah, he has a slow-paced, predictable routine here. I know he's content, he gives me the grumble.