It's a dog's life - if the masters teach them right
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The final disharmonious relationship is between those who pussyfoot around and provide no leadership skills. A leaderless pack animal is without inspiration and fails to reach its potential. It leads to a confused sense of boundaries and self-centered expectations in which the animal believes it can do no wrong.
This brings me back to my loving family member Yoyo. It's a struggle but I force myself not to project human emotions on my four-legged best friend, but she certainly seems content and happiness may be a distinct possibility. She absolutely appreciates human attention and is a real comic character with her canine friends.
Certainly she's a smart little thing, but I do want to take some credit for her amazing ability to be liked by everyone.
I've followed some fundamentals in raising Yozi (yes, my pet has a pet name) based on mutual respect and understanding.
The key is that I have never struck Yoyo in anger or with my hand. To reinforce her early puppyhood training, I perhaps twice waved a rolled-up newspaper at her while affecting a stern voice. This helped her realize she had responsibilities not to piddle on the floor. She's heard the words "good dog" so many times I can see in her eyes a willingness to please.
Applying these rules I recently helped Hex the Husky come to terms with life in the human world. He is a young adult who would often take his masters for a walk.
Wherever the big guy wanted to go they had no choice but to follow. More than once I saw the young female dog-walker virtually dragged down the street as Hex, led by his nostrils, hurled toward some comely lady canine.
My intervention started by taking command of the leash and teaching him the meaning of "good dog." Within minutes Hex got the message and bought into a more coherent, disciplined routine. It was as if he had been liberated from incoherence. He now walks proudly, with a sense of confidence that comes from knowing he'll get to suss out every fire hydrant he pleases.
The author is the founder of R.D. Communications. billsiggins@ realdogcomm.cn
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