Welcome to Dogstar’s Wednesday Dog! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our dog stars. This week we’re talking about her sloppy pug mix, Kate & Gizmo.
What happens when you take a dog from a small town to a big city? Gizmo and I recently learned about it!
Gizmo began his life somewhere in Texas, but he spent his formative early adult life in a small city in Colorado. But he could say pretty early on that he would be better suited to something a little more urban…
Nearby Gizmo
In Colorado, we lived in a cute little town neighbourhood with wide tree-lined paths, sidewalks and nearby parks just outside the main entrance. This is a dream for many dogs, but for some reason, Gizmos appeared to be feeling on duty on a sparsely populated (but very safe) street. He kept his eyes on people and dogs barking.
But as we left the neighbourhood and walked down Main Street, he was instantly relieved, greeted everyone walking along the sidewalk at the table, peering into the doorways of every store, sitting quietly while waiting for the light to change. It was mysterious. The busy ham and chaos of the cars passed by, and the chatterers seemed far more relaxed than the quiet calm of the neighbourhood.
We worked with the trainer to control the bark voice in the clicker training, but this method required us to stay strong all the time during our walks. It’s not very relaxed for us!
(Many) big ponds ready
When it came time for a massive cross-country trip to San Francisco, I was a bit nervous about how Gizmo would handle it. Going from a cold town to a big city is a lot to deal with many dogs for any dog, and I have adopted Giz as an adult rescue, so who knows what he saw about the first years of his life? But one thing that made me feel more confident was Gizmo’s already visible and city friendly attitude. He actually realized that living in an apartment in the city might be better behaviour! He is also a small dog (18 lbs) so is permitted in many buildings that are not pet friendly.
We packed everything into a moving van and headed west. On the hours of drive, Gizmo rode like a king in the middle seat of the van, watching the state pass by. Upon arriving in town, he was wide and a little convinced. However, once he found his beloved yellow sofa and confirmed that the minimum per room he needed was met, he quickly settled down.
It’s beyond our walk
Gizmo was used to everyday neighbourhood walks, but as soon as they arrived in San Francisco, they were much longer (and steeper!). He is a very sporty little guy with legs for a few days compared to his overall size. And there are always somewhere to rest somewhere, on the many dog-friendly patios, piers and parks.
One of the best things about making such a big move is the opportunity to reset some bad habits. I’m trying to get more serious about barking (more important, as my eardrums aren’t just being attacked, and I’m not carrying a clicker. He picked up quickly. I thought he wouldn’t want anyone to barking on the street. There’s a lot to work on, but it’s amazing how we make such a sudden progress!
It’s not all smooth sniffing
Of course, not all walks around the park (ha). The most difficult thing ever is:
1. Yes, Virginia, I have a neighbor on the second floor
There are many apartment neighbours Closer. Gizmo is committed to understanding that his upstairs neighbors are actually allowed to roam their apartment.
2. Garbage is not food
The streets may be overflowing with delicious snacks, but for some mystical reasons we have to eat some snacks we brought from home. It’s absolutely cruel.
3. Sea lions are not real lions
The real lion may sneak up on the stems and eat gizmos in an open savanna, but the sea lions relaxing like a large blow-off bag on the pier is not a real threat. But their “Roaring” and one ear of Gizmo is ready to be there!
Mysterious Giz
Overall, Gizmo has an incredibly well adapted to his new urban environment. That leads me to wonder: Did Gizmo actually grow up in the city? If 1-3 people on the street are dangerous but 4 ingritity = not worried, how does math work in his brain? How many other years has he been trying to talk to me subtly?
Have you ever moved a suburban dog to a big city? Tell us about it in the comments! Gizmo and I would like to know how your puppy responded…
This article features Kate and Gizmo in Wednesday’s Dog Star series.
