Are you in or out?
WHAT I'M REALLY talking about is introversion and extroversion—hot topics on the book and blog circuit. Sure, they are talking about humans, but I prefer to explore this continuum from a dogs’ point of view.
It helps to understand what the terms mean for humans. It’s all about energy. Introverts “recharge” by being alone—reading, writing, thinking, processing. Extroverts recharge by being with others—talking, sharing, moving, doing. Introverts focus on inner stuff, viewing things through a microscope; extroverts focus on the outer stuff, the big picture. The introversionto- extroversion scale goes from the extremes to all points in-between.
I’m convinced that dogs also have these tendencies. Introverted dogs prefer quiet time at home, bonding with their family, quiet walks in nature, and tend to think before they act. Extroverted dogs are the social butterflies that adore meeting new people and dogs, thrive on activity, and might dive into a new activity with little thought.
Ideally we would have dogs well suited to our lifestyle and personality. If you and your dog are both near the same spot on the I-E scale, then you are likely to be compatible. You enjoy similar activities and find similar situations taxing, so the choices you make for yourself will likely be fitting for your dog. But what if you and your dog are at different places on the scale?
Imagine you are more introverted, and your dog is extroverted. You come home from work exhausted from dealing with all the chaos of a busy work day, looking to rest and recharge. Only your dog is ready to jump out of her skin from the boredom of being home alone. She needs to go for a run, visit the dog park, or meet up with a bunch of humans. If you don’t meet her needs, she may resort to destructive behavior, recreational barking, anything to stir up a little action.
Or suppose your dog is the introvert and you’re more extroverted. You arrive home ready to head off to a friend’s barbecue, or invite a crowd over for drinks. These aren’t activities your dog enjoys. Continue putting him in situations that make him uncomfortable, and you are likely to find him growling (or worse) when people or dogs get too close. If you and your dog are a good match, congratulations! But if the mismatches hit close to home, here are some ideas to help you create a better balance.
Introverted owner with extroverted dog: Enroll your dog in day care a couple of days a week. Hire an extroverted pet sitter or dog walker to take her out. Invite friends to “borrow” your dog for play dates. Engage your dog in training games at home that are mentally or physically demanding—nose work, “find it,” canine freestyle, agility, tracking, tricks. Keep her busy with fooddispensing puzzle toys.
Extroverted owner with introverted dog: Create a safe “den” for your dog away from rowdy activity. Spend quality quiet time together each day, even 10 to 15 minutes of focused attention. When you have to be out in public together, act as his protector. Don’t let people or dogs rush into his space, and always allow him to move away. Avoid taking him to places he doesn’t enjoy. If you want to participate in dog sports, choose those that lower stress, like nose work, tracking, lure coursing, or flying disc.
Multiple dogs and/or humans: This is where things can get interesting. You may find humans in the household bonding more with the dog that fits them best. You may also find the dogs sorting out their own balance with each other.
With age and experience, we and our dogs are likely to develop coping skills that allow us to better function outside our comfort zones when necessary. Just remember that introverts and extroverts, at the core, need different conditions to feel and function at their best.
I-E is only one aspect of our personalities, but taking it into consideration may help us better understand ourselves, each other, and our canine companions.
Cricket Mara operates a dog behavior consulting practice in Corrales called Pawsitive Dog (www.pawsitivedog.com). Send comments and questions to cricket@pawsitivedog.com
