2. Talk about something you feel strongly about
There are so many subjects to be written under the heading “Something You Feel Strongly about”, choosing one is proving to be more of a daunting task that I first anticipated….The rant worthy possibilities are endless … Gun control, Hobby Lobby and their Healthcare fiasco, religion, government in general, the government's involvement in health care, relationships …. but there are few that will increase my blood pressure more than animals not being treated fairly.
That last sentence was awkward, and I’m sorry …
As I’ve started writing these blog posts, I find myself very scattered on this subject, since there are so many aspects that create angst in my mind when it comes to training a dog. This includes, but is not limited too: how people treat their dogs, how people think about their dogs, how they train, what they use to train…etc
Over the last eight years my knowledge about dog training has increased, and I firmly believe there is a right and wrong way to train. Yes, each animal is different, and there shouldn’t be a one size fits all technique, but no technique should ever involve the use of electricity, hitting, pinching, choking, strangling, intimating, spanking or the like. [See also: alpha rolling]
I can find no place in the realm of TEACHING where that needs to be a necessity. To me training isn’t about having a dog that follows direction, but is a form of communication between a human and a non-verbal being. We as humans bring these animals into our lives with the expectations that they will provide companionship, protection, in some cases independence, or a sense of identity.
I feel as if 80% of dog owners don’t really think about the fact that they are living with a DOG.
I know that most owners don’t realize that 90% of “good dog” behavior has to be taught by the humans. (Yes there are exceptions.)
Did you know? Dogs don’t come from the womb inherently knowing that they will be named and have to respond to it? They don’t know they aren’t supposed use the human as a chew toy. They don’t know that “SIT” means put your butt on the floor and don’t move. They have no idea why in the world you would want them to COME for something hideous like a bath, or a punishment. AND THEY ABSOLUTELY AREN’T POTTY TRAINED.
You don’t know how many phone calls I’ve fielded with frustrated pet parents (yes, I just used that word) who can’t figure out why their puppy keeps peeing in the house!
“Well, here’s the thing, your puppy is… 7 weeks? Yes, their bladders are super tiny and need to be relieved every 15-30 minutes, so what you’ll need to do is create a schedule, I like to start around 7AM (or earlier depending on your schedule .. *cue fading out audio*
One of the biggest behaviors people don’t realize needs to be TAUGHT is how to walk on a leash. Once again, dogs don’t come out of the womb leashed and wearing a collar! (You learn new things everyday! Right?) So whether its a young pup you just adopted (cough) or an older dog.. if you never put a leash on him/her .. when you finally do, rest assured you are going to create some angst in their doggie mind.
They don’t know why suddenly their movements are restricted, but they quickly realize they can still pretty much do what they want because they are stronger than the human.
Thennnn out comes the prongs, and the choke chains, and the e-collars.
‘We tried EVERYTHING’ and nothing worked except [insert barbaric device here].
[insert my skeptical look here]
“You do realize ma’am that you have to TEACH them how to walk well on leash right?”
I spent the last year and half working at a vet clinic, and have heard every excuse in the book as to why people rely on these tools for their particular dog… however underneath the mantra I kept hearing was…
“WE” didn’t want to train, we just wanted the behavior to “go away”
We wanted a quick fix.
We had to do something NOW or else we’d have to re-home him.
We were tired of dealing with it.
“We tried trainers! We went to puppy class and he knew it then, but now he doesn’t!”
I’m sorry, do you remember everything you learned in elementary school? Oh wait, you don’t? What? But you knew it then! Why don’t you remember it now? …so why do expect your dog to retain that knowledge if you don’t work on it, at least on a weekly basis? If you want a good dog, it takes work!
That’s something that I feel as if most dog owners don’t want to put it.
Well, people get a cat.
Hello.
I regularly have requests for dog training after seeing my, very well behaved if I do say so myself, yellow pup. I would laugh and respond: Yes *i* can train them, but you’d still have to train and maintain as well.
My friend Rebekah is learning this lesson as we speak. ;)
Let’s not even get into the WAYS people train their animals.
Or tail docking, ear cropping, declawing ...
In conclusions… are there any other questions about what I feel strongly about? Heh. Nope?
Welp.
Sionara.
What?
Never mind.
Toodles.
