Wikipedia says training dogs to perform specific tasks dates back to the Roman era and I can well understand why. You will know too if you have met a well trained dog. I am not talking about those who take part in dog shows or can show off tricks, I mean those ones you come across everyday in regular families who are happy and obedient. Just like human kids, if you train them right, they will come out right, otherwise they'll be a classic example of "garbage in, garbage out".
Bebe is a very intelligent dog. Even though she is not purebred, she is a fast learner and a smart girl. When we first got her, it looked like she would be a shy gentle little girl, but the Seattle Humane Society volunteers predicted quite correctly when they said she has a heart of gold and if any family can bring out her confident side, they'll get a faithful companion for life. I am happy that now we do get to see her confident side. Arnab has high hopes for his daughter, he wants her to get certified as a "good canine citizen". So we started her off with some basic dog manners classes. That is where I got to learn a lot of new things too.
Well, don't assume that I have learned to "sit" or "stay" alongwith Bebe, but given my zero experience with dogs, almost everything I saw there was an experience in itself. Before we went there, I asked Arnab what he thinks about being in an auditorium with ten dogs. Then I added, actually ten untrained dogs! They were barking, lunging at one another, tugging at their leashes and what not at first, but then slowly we started to see a difference. The bold ones were not dominating that much and the shy ones were being more confident. Last week when they had formal dog-to-dog introductions, I was amazed to see the most unruly (and probably the biggest one) to be happily sniffing the nose of a shy one. He was wagging his tail all along. There is a purebred beagle in the class who is a serious and intelligent dog, who always does the right things when he is told to. Another one is a small but gentle little fellow who may not be very smart but is a hard worker. Then there is Bebe, smart but with a strong will. She can do things perfectly but might just want to chase another chihuahua when she is told to sit and stay. Also she is more motivated by cheese than by anything else. :) There are some very yappy tiny chihuahuas whose only goal in life seems to disobey commands and shout. But they are tugging less on their leashes now.
What I have found out is that raising a well behaved dog can be challenging as raising a well behaved kid. You have to be patient...very patient and you always have to do the right things consistently. This "consistency" is a key word. If you, depending on your mood, let the dog jump on to you and the next day scold him for the very same action, you would never be able to teach the dog how you want him to behave. It gives you the responsibility to act properly and consistently. Behave with patience and you'll get a well behaved canine who would never run into dangerous situations nor would let you down ever. An American Kennel Club (AKC) certified "good citizen" is a great dog to have. You can volunteer with such a dog and help bring comfort to many who can no longer afford to keep a fur friend. Most importantly, you will feel good that you helped bring up one dog who is a great addition to the society.
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| Bebe on her way to "school" |
Well, don't assume that I have learned to "sit" or "stay" alongwith Bebe, but given my zero experience with dogs, almost everything I saw there was an experience in itself. Before we went there, I asked Arnab what he thinks about being in an auditorium with ten dogs. Then I added, actually ten untrained dogs! They were barking, lunging at one another, tugging at their leashes and what not at first, but then slowly we started to see a difference. The bold ones were not dominating that much and the shy ones were being more confident. Last week when they had formal dog-to-dog introductions, I was amazed to see the most unruly (and probably the biggest one) to be happily sniffing the nose of a shy one. He was wagging his tail all along. There is a purebred beagle in the class who is a serious and intelligent dog, who always does the right things when he is told to. Another one is a small but gentle little fellow who may not be very smart but is a hard worker. Then there is Bebe, smart but with a strong will. She can do things perfectly but might just want to chase another chihuahua when she is told to sit and stay. Also she is more motivated by cheese than by anything else. :) There are some very yappy tiny chihuahuas whose only goal in life seems to disobey commands and shout. But they are tugging less on their leashes now.
What I have found out is that raising a well behaved dog can be challenging as raising a well behaved kid. You have to be patient...very patient and you always have to do the right things consistently. This "consistency" is a key word. If you, depending on your mood, let the dog jump on to you and the next day scold him for the very same action, you would never be able to teach the dog how you want him to behave. It gives you the responsibility to act properly and consistently. Behave with patience and you'll get a well behaved canine who would never run into dangerous situations nor would let you down ever. An American Kennel Club (AKC) certified "good citizen" is a great dog to have. You can volunteer with such a dog and help bring comfort to many who can no longer afford to keep a fur friend. Most importantly, you will feel good that you helped bring up one dog who is a great addition to the society.
1 comment:
Hope this training will get you ready for 'less hairy' children when the time comes!
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