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If you are thinking about buying a dog, these
pages should be helpful. These are some tips, tricks and lessons I have
learned in the 15 years or so that I have been owned by a dog.
As with human children, all are different. Some
require a firmer hand than others, some learn faster and some have quirks
that others won't. You will get to know your own pet but this will help
you in general with some of a dog's basic training.
Well I did say "as with human children" didn't
I. Now there's a thought to keep in mind. A dog is like a child, however,
this dog will never "mature" according to our standards to anything greater
than the maturity of a 5 year old child. Wow, huh? That's something to think
about when you decide you'd like a dog. You will ever have this little bit
of craziness to deal with.
So what do we do with 5 year old children? What
are they capable of? They are capable of learning, they like and need activity
and they need lots of love and understanding. There
you go you've just learned how to treat a dog. Ok the games aren't the same,
for instance my dog just couldn't get the hang of hopscotch...but the concept
is the same. What they need to learn surely isn't, reading and riting and
rithmetic, but they do need to learn language, ours, so we can communicate
with them. Funny thing that my dogs have been able to learn to understand
when I speak to them however I still haven't gotten the hang of Doganese.
: )
First and foremost do not buy a dog because you
want to teach your children responsibility. The children will most likely
fail this test and the dog will be the one to suffer. A child is just what
she or he is, a child. Do not expect maturity to come quickly When the dog
soils your home because your son opted for the baseball game instead of
walking the dog it will only instill anger in you at your son and resentment
toward the dog. Don't expect too much from either of them. Buy a dog only
because you want a dog and are willing to assume full responsibility for
that life as only an adult can.
Remember, your dog IS a social animal. That means
that they want and need company. Remember their ancestor the wolf? Wolves
travel in packs (groups) and have much the same family hierarchy that has
been a custom of humans. So don't get a dog to leave outside, alone. You
will probably only contribute to is sadness and ill temperment. Dogs need
us, dogs love us. I don't know why but they do.
Plan to spend time with your dog. Your dog will
need exercise, and company. He will need play time as well as quiet time.
He will need your love and approval and above all
your guidance. Dogs only want to please you, and although it may not seem
that way when the dog chews your beloved and expensive sofa, keep in mind
that dogs have no concept of our world. Money is of no value to them. Seems
obvious doesn't it? But it's easy to forget. Be prepared to see life from
your dog's point of view.
Talk to your dog. Talk to it in soothing tones
and watch it's tail wag away. Dogs love to hear our voices. Your voice.
From the time you bring that puppy home talk to it and it will know you
and it will love you. Actually I have a rather deep
voice so sometimes I squeek at my dogs (like I just inhaled helium) and
they think that's a riot. Honest, they laff out loud!!!
Training is a really big thing with me. There
is just no excuse for an ill mannered dog same as there is none for an ill
mannered person. Well actually the dog's excuse is the person as it only
amounts to someone's laziness or lack of interest or knowledge if they have
an ill mannered dog. Dogs learn from us, everything from basic table manners..that
means not begging at the table, to how to approach people and how to act
around strangers. Training has to start early. Obedience training should
begin at the time you bring that dog home. There are many great books on
Obedience training. I should know, I've bought all of them Usually your
local animal shelter will offer low cost classes too. It's also a great
way to socialize your dog. Do it...because, soon enough that cute little
10 lb ball of fur that bounces off of the kitchen table will turn into a
100 lb. blob of fur that doesn't bounce anymore. All the little antics that
puppies perform for us, are adorable but if you do not stop it at the puppy
stage, you will have a big dog that that will make you miserable.
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