By Trish Mitchell: Dog Behaviourist and Animal Advocate Article here... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trish...ove-your-dog-t_b_6057372.html?utm_hp_ref=dogs Any comments?
i have a comments - What a load of shit!! ild love her to tell me to my face that i dont love phoebe. My dog is a mess and i love her that way. i have tried to "fix" her but that just made us both un happy so we staying the way we are. she to would likely never be able to be rehomed. When i thought ild have to give her up a few years ago the rescue said they would never find her a home, so i faced becoming homeless to keep her. I dont love my dog yet i go without and have gone without so much over the years. bullshit the stupid cow writing from her ivory tower with her opinions and perfect bloody dogs
And I love Pereg - faults and all. The thing that writer does not understand is that all dogs are different, all dog owners are different, and no dog lover is the same as any other dog lover. Pereg is not a child substitute, no more than Phoebe is for you Katy. But I guess that writer gets paid for whatever she thinks, whether you and I - and no doubt many many others, think.
I would agree with the general premises: if you willingly and knowingly indulge and even encourage what is generally considered "naughty" behaviour in your dog, then you are sentencing that dog to death if something were ever to happen and you find yourself in a situation where you can no longer have your dog and it has to be re-homed. And we all know our dogs are uniquely individual characters and we love their little quirks and funny habits, this is not about that. This is about ignoring destructive, unsocial or even aggressive behaviour, not because you do not have the means to correct it, but simply because it's easier to just ignore. Certainly that is not in the interest of any animal? Usually these are dogs that are restricted in their freedom and are often left on their own, simply because they cannot be taken anywhere. Wouldn't it be kinder to put in the effort to try and retrain them so they can join you where ever you go?
I love my dogs just the way they come to me. Some have been with me from birth others are rescues. I treat them very much like they are my children. They are individuals and I accept them as they are. I do manage to change the important bad behaviors like housebreaking and biting. Anything else I've come across really isn't important enough for me to bother with. I allow some things that many others don't. Like getting on the furniture and eating people food and begging while you're eating. But they are my dogs and these things don't bother me. When anyone comes to visit there is a sign on my door: To all those who complain about my dogs, They live here, you don't...If you don't want hair on your clothes stay off the furniture...I like my dogs better than I like most people....To you it's an animal, To me it's an adopted child who's short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly. I think that says it all.
I couIdn't agree with you more! I think the world of my two dogs and I love their individual personalities and quirks. They're allowed the run of the house and sleep wherever they choose and I've no objection to a few dog hairs on the sofa or toys strewn all over the carpet. But, I won't tolerate them begging for my food, barking and jumping up at visitors to my house or (horror of horrors) destroying my belongings. I want my dogs to be a pleasure to own and as I take them everywhere with me whenever possible, I want them to have good manners and know how to behave when meeting strange people and dogs. My two previous dogs, travelled with me all over Europe without any problems. They were more than happy to be left in hotel bedrooms or sit quietly by me whilst I was having a meal and were always tolerant towards strange dogs, which is what I hope to achieve with my present two. Dogs don't train themselves - it's up to me to educate them and if I'm not prepared to put in the time and effort to do so, I'm not only letting them down but I can't consider myself to be a good owner.
I guess I didn't go into it far enough. My dogs are not aggressive towards other dogs, people or children. I can take them anywhere. When someone comes in the house they get on the couch with me and wait to be invited to another person to be petted. The only one allowed in all stores and restaurants is Pearl who is my service dog. When we leave the house I tell her we are "going to work" and she goes into working mode. She ignores other people, does not beg and will only relieve herself on command among other things. As far as if something happens to me and they have to be rehomed. My daughter will either find an appropriate home or keep them. Thankfully she feels as I do about dogs. Begging for them is watching while you eat because they know when I'm done they will each get a piece. They don't try to get in your lap or paw at you. Also there is no need for me to take them away from home or walk them for exercise. My yard is large enough, 1/3 fenced acre, and they have the run of it. I feel that's plenty for the 5 that go out to play plus the 1 medium size dog. I live in a national forest and when I go walking in the woods they all usually come with me. They have all learned certain commands so they will instantly come to my feet and be quiet. I do carry a gun loaded with blanks as a big loud noise will scare anything away and I have no interest in killing or hurting any animal. There are large animals in the woods. Most everyone around here do not feed the wild critters which include bear. Large animals do bed down during the day, but predatory birds need to be watched for day and night when you are in a clearing. My yard is a clearing and 6 of my dogs are small. I freely admit that I spoil them rotten, but there are boundaries. By far the hardest thing for me to train out is the biting. I feel a dog has to learn trust in humans in order to stop that behavior. Many dogs come to me battered, beaten, abused and neglected in countless ways. Pearl was the worst I have ever seen and I've been doing this for over 30 years. Training is very important. It makes the dog feel wonderful and more secure because they know they are doing the right thing. Everyone has different ideas as to what proper behavior is and you make some very good points. You are right that there are some things that cannot be ignored.
With Sophie I feel I made a commitment to be there for her for better or worse. Granted I had done no research and fell for a picture of a large tongue and ear tips. There was the usual shelter template of " She's a quiet yet energetic girl who needs her forever home!". If I had delved any deeper I would have discovered fearful, dog aggressive and a host of other tics. But I didn't create that and made an effort however unsuccessful to change it. That's the difference, someone encouraging such behavior as "Aww, that's just my pup" is being irresponsible.
Every dog has a different personality..and like children they should be taught right from wrong.some will defy you but as they say...try try try again.they are what you put into them
