Life is getting harder for dogs. They are being forced out of public places, locked away and even euthanized because of one thing: us. If we all changed a few aspects of our lives with our dogs, life might get a little easier for them. Training, owner-education, management and responsibility are the key to having a society that co-exists happily with dogs.
Training a dog takes work, believe me – I do it every day with some very naughty dogs. However, I do know this: It can be done. Training your dog should be the most important priority next to getting proper veterinary care. Learning how to communicate with your dog in an effective and positive way sets you and your dog up for a lifetime of success. Not only that, but training opens doors to your dog's mind and gives him something to do rather than destroy new shoes!
It should start the second you bring your new puppy or dog home and should not end with one set of classes. You should always try to teach your dog something new, like a fun trick. Not only will your friends be impressed, but your dog will have mental stimulation and a strong bond with you.
Owner education goes along with training our dogs. As many of my clients say, “It's really more about training people than it is training dogs.”
As a dog owner, I not only need to train my dogs, but I also need to understand why I am training them, and why what I am doing works. Owners also need to be aware of their dog's psychological and physical development, so that they understand why they eat everything in sight for the first few months of life. Talk with local trainers, ask your vet and read dog training books by qualified professionals in the field.
Management and responsibility basically means keeping your dog and other people safe. Do not let your dog off leash in areas that aren't designated or permitted. Pick up after your dogs when they go to the bathroom on your neighbor's lawn. Make sure your dog is up to date with vaccines and medical care. It sounds simple, but it's amazing how many people don't do it, which brings me to my final point: If all of us dog owners and lovers did even a small part of some of the things mentioned here, dogs might not have to die because of our mistakes.
Being a responsible dog owner is the best thing you can do for your dog because it shows that dogs can and do mesh well in society. If every dog owner picked up after their dog, there might be more public areas for them to play. If every dog owner got their dog proper training and learned how to communicate with them appropriately and without violence, there might be less dogs euthanized for bad behavior.
Making the world a better place for dogs and for dog owners is up to us, and it's about time that we got started trying to show people how great dogs can be!
Helen is a certified dog trainer and the owner of No Monkey Business Dog Training. She'll be writing once a month about pet ownership. If you have a question for Helen, e-mail news@theconcordinsider.com.
