| I don't suppose you are aware of this, | | | | into such a mental state. |
| but a certain London University | | | | Simple, you make sure its is properly |
| recently conducted a poll to discover | | | | trained. |
| how many groups of dogs there are, and | | | | But it doesn't stop there. There's no |
| which groups really needed training. The | | | | point getting your dog trained, if you |
| survey cost over £7,000. Would you | | | | don't get involved yourself. Getting |
| like to know what the results were. | | | | your dog trained is a two way street. |
| These were the groups that needed | | | | Nowadays too many dog owners are |
| training. | | | | sending their animals off for training, |
| Wild Dogs | | | | thinking that's it. Like, sending the |
| Guard Dogs | | | | laundry out. They get back a fully |
| Guide Dogs | | | | trained, well mannered citizen who is a |
| Domestic Pet Dogs. | | | | pleasure to be around. But what then. |
| Wow, and you know what. Apart from wild | | | | They don't know how to handle the dog so |
| dogs ,which included foxes and wolves. | | | | the well mannered dog is then confronted |
| all groups would benefit from proper | | | | with a whole new set of commands to live |
| training. That's not much of a | | | | with. Result, one very confused dog. |
| revelation is it. So my view was, 'What | | | | Training a dog is an important decision |
| a waste of tax-payers money to tell us | | | | for both you and the dog, and unless you |
| the obvious.' | | | | accept that, not only are you wasting |
| Now, I've just returned from a quick | | | | your time and money, you will achieve |
| trip stateside, but while in New York | | | | nothing, nada, zilch. |
| ,what a wonderful place. I spent a happy | | | | So what do you do. |
| couple of hours wandering around Central | | | | If you can possibly avoid it, don't try |
| Park. | | | | the so-called easy way out, by sending |
| Well, I don't know whether it is the | | | | the dog off to be trained. |
| Park Police, the average New Yorker's | | | | No, unless you, the dog's main |
| pride, or the hefty fines that can get | | | | 'master' is aware what training the dog |
| slapped on you, but I didn't see any | | | | has had, what commands they respond to |
| poop lying around, and children and dogs | | | | and how to give them, you are lost. You |
| played quite happily side by side with | | | | must be willing to work along the lines |
| no screams from the dogs either. | | | | the specialist has recommended, in order |
| The point is, if dogs are properly | | | | to achieve that wonderful experience, |
| trained, a whole new experience can be | | | | where your dog knows, probably before |
| gained by both dogs and owners alike. | | | | you do, what is expected of him. It's |
| Forgetting guard dogs and guide dogs, | | | | consistency that brings results so |
| who get trained to work, unless you | | | | unless you carry on with the dog exactly |
| train a domestic pet dog, how does it | | | | as the trainer did you are wasting your |
| know what is expected of it. | | | | money. It's as important, if not more |
| It is perfectly natural for a dog to | | | | important, to train the owner as well as |
| chew, bark, scratch, poop, and run | | | | the dog. |
| around. So when it gets bawled at by | | | | Try training the dog yourself. Get a |
| its owner for doing what comes naturally | | | | book, go to puppy classes and try the |
| to it, the result is, one neurotic | | | | experience out for yourself. It can be |
| dog, who behaves even more erratically. | | | | great fun and a learning experience for |
| The same thing could be said for young | | | | you both. |
| children, and when you see screaming | | | | With a well trained dog, and an |
| tantrums in shops with kids hurling | | | | understanding and well trained owner, |
| themselves on the floor in anger, why | | | | all of a sudden, life takes on a new |
| is this. It's because they haven't been | | | | dimension. The mental state of both of |
| trained in the basics. Exactly the same | | | | you is immediately more relaxed, more |
| goes for dogs. | | | | fulfilled and straight away, taking your |
| Only with dogs, it can get worse. They | | | | dog for a walk becomes that perfect |
| can attack people, bite, and generally | | | | blend of healthy exercise, |
| cause nuisances to themselves as well as | | | | understanding, and a time to be at peace |
| the general public. | | | | with the world. |
| So, how do you avoid your dog declining | | | | |