CATS???WHERE DID THEY COME FROM? THE GOOD DOG POSITIVE OBEDIENCE TRAINING SCHOOL
FROM FORT WORTH TEXAS
CATS???WHERE DID THEY COME FROM?
THIS IS A DOG SITE!!!!
We, at Good Dog, have vigorously sought ways for
progressive and improved dog training. Not specifically for the show ring, although our
efforts have produced much success in that discipline, but primarily for the relationship
between dog and owner. Our prime directive is the LOVE OF THE DOG, rather than the winning
of a fifty cent ribbon. We do not criticize that desire to win, to be the best, as long as
it demonstrates the wonderful team-work and LOVE between you and your dog. If, however,
the winning is used to build the handler's self-esteem at the sacrifice of the dogs well
being, we become very saddened. Most of the dog's problem in not giving you what you
desire is not necessarily the dog's fault, but may be the way you are instructing that
animal, both actively, or subconsciously. For instance, we are convinced that many dogs in
America think that their name or part of their name is NO!. The GOOD DOG SCHOOL vehemently
discourages the use of that word. It is our contention, that like children, soon the word
NO! becomes ineffectual (in one ear and out the other) and additionally adds to the
confusion of the dog. How many times have you seen or heard a handler ask a dog to SIT,
and when the dog started to get up, firmly state NO! SIT!. Sure seems to be a
countermanding order to us. Use the word you wish the dog to learn. Use it ONCE, and then
show the dog, each and every time what you wish. We at GOOD DOG teach perfection. We do
not teach perfection to show what wonderful perfectionists we are, but rather because we
believe the dog learns faster through consistency. If the dog knows exactly what
you want, it will give it to you much sooner. Who then is the word SIT for. IT'S FOR US!
The dog doesn't speak English. To the dog, this is a GRUNT from the master, the
pack leader if you will, and after it has learned, it will respond to that grunt. When we
speak the word "SIT", we get a mental visualization of what is expected
with the terminology "sit". The dog is not afforded that luxury. For those of
you that censure a dog, (after you told the dog to sit, it sits and gets up), we would
discourage that correction. Why? You asked the dog to sit, the dog did, but then started
to get up. The dog performed the act and may not yet understand that you intended the dog
to STAY in that position ! We, as handlers, often assume that our dogs can read our mind.
Be cognizant of your dog, THINK DOG! Avoid any temptation in trying to impress your
instructors by demanding from your dog that which it does not understand. We may sound
redundant, but dog's require repetition.
We also recommend that you start talking to your dog more. Not phrases too elongated to be effective, such as "I think I'll go into the kitchen and make supper", but rather numerous phrases such as "kitchen" "upstairs" "downstairs" "outside" "shoe" etc. We believe that the more you communicate with you animal, the more the mental juices will flow. Be careful they don't become too smart however, because now when I ask my wife if we should give the dogs a T..R..E..A..T, all of our dogs make a beeline for the treat bin, as each have learned to spell.
We, at GOOD DOG, are also interested in creating a communicating network of other Dog Schools throughout the U.S. that have found additional ways to help each dog owner in enjoying their pet more. For instance, for the last 10 years, we have built a 4 foot by 4 foot square sandbox of landscape timbers and taught our dogs that this in the only place in this pack that it is permissible to dig. After all, dogs dig to move scent, to hide bones, to get cool Etc., all natural to the dog. To us, it is fruitless to stop that which is natural to the dog. Better to direct their natural tendencies into constructive lines. Of course, we do not let our dogs watch us plant new bushes and plants. After all, in the dog's mind, if the pack leader is digging, why not us. Thus, It was refreshing to have seen a two page article in the "PETSMART" magazine on this subject. We have been doing this successfully for 10 years, but the article in PETSMART shows there are still millions of people that do not put this superb technique into practice.
WE WROTE THIS COLUMN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, AND THIS COLUMN WAS
PUBLISHED IN UKC's NATIONAL MAGAZINE PUBLICATION.... "BLOODLINES"
To access our Articles on
"What a GOOD BREEDER IS, andWHY NOT A PROTECTION TRAINED DOG……CLICK HERE
