Why Donald Trump needs a dog

The debate of leadership in Washington finally boiled over.

It began with Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., on every TV station he could find, repudiating the leadership style of President Trump. Then came the announcement by Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., that he will not run for re-election next year, while also rebuking Trump’s unpresidential behavior.

This is all about one thing: leadership. If Trump were the assistant general manager at any one of a hundred thousand American businesses who didn’t have his name on the building, he would have already been on the receiving end of his famous line, “You’re fired.”

There is another option. He can get a dog.

Dogs exhibit many of the same traits as great leaders. Judging from the brewing revolution in his own party, it’s time for the president to do a little introspection.

What could Trump learn about leadership from dogs? To start with, canines are faithful to their entire pack. They’re inspirational, not demeaning. Dogs approach everything with determination, an attribute that makes every president better. Finally, dogs are observant, absorbing as much information as possible so they can make the best decisions.

The best dogs don’t bark at everything that moves. They defend everyone in their pack. And their tails indicate whether they’re happy or shameful.

President Truman, who wasn’t a dog lover, famously said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” The last occupant of the White House who didn’t have a pet was Andrew Johnson. And he got impeached.

My advice to Trump is to add a four-legged member to his family. It’s never too late to learn how to be a better leader. Krissi Barr Co-author of “The Fido Factor” Cincinnati