Raising a Well Mannered Mutt

By Sallie Palmer
Certified Dog Trainer

Old Dog, Old Friend

 

We are a culture where youth is valued and old things are easily discarded. This is true when in comes to animals, especially dogs. People who work at animal shelters are painfully aware of this fact that youth is valued. Everyone wants a kitten or puppy. When I volunteered at shelters I trained my ear to listen for warning signals of potential adopters stating “I want a puppy.” Alarm bells would go off and I would ask “Do you mean you want a dog?” They would look at me puzzled and not sure what I was implying. I then would ask them if they intended to keep this dog until ‘death do they part’. I could see by their behavior if they had given this life commitment any thought. I would ask what they would do if the dog became injured or ill. Again, I could tell if they were definitely prepared for this adoption or if they had not thought it through. Every day at shelters, people want to know if they can ‘return’ their puppy that is now over a year old. The novelty and cuteness has worn off. Many of these people will go out and get another puppy only to return that one when he matures.

Unfortunately, we have people who think of animals as if they were paper cups. They have them for awhile and then they discard them like they were trash. Just this past December a friend of mine who volunteers at Animal Control was furious with a local business man who had dropped off his old hound dog because he was annoyed with her and she was an inconvenience to him. If I were his wife…I’d beware. My friend took the dog home with her and found that she is sweet and not a problem at all. I had my own experience where people had witnessed a man drive up a lonely dirt road in the freezing weather and demand that his old dog get out of his truck. When the dog appeared confused, he started throwing rocks at her to drive her away. That dog pathetically remained in the same spot for five days waiting for this guy to come back and get her. I was finally able to catch her and brought her home. This dog is brilliant. She is fully trained, knows tricks, likes my cats, and loved to go for rides. Her only fault- she is old.

I think it is a sad commentary about our society that we do not keep our commitments to our aging animals. It’s true that dogs become less physically able as they age but they do become smarter. They are usually mentally bright and able to learn new tricks. They are great companions and love us even when we neglect them. Everyone should aspire to be the person our dogs think we are.

Here are my suggestions.

Before you get a dog, be absolutely sure you can make a life commitment to the dog. If you can’t then don’t get one. Don’t get a dog on impulse. Give it very careful thought first. Consider the breed, activity level, size, maintenance and expected longevity (the bigger the dog the shorter the life). Be ware that when you physically see and touch a dog, a flood of nurturing chemicals are released into your body that can over ride your common sense. Some breeders depend on this flood of human emotion, they know people feel compelled to take a puppy home and nurture it. Do your homework first before you start your dog search.

Once you have found the right dog, make sure your dog receives on going training, daily exercise, proper nutrition and regular veterinarian care. You might also want to give him a job.

Build a bond with your dog. Consider him a family member. Make a lifetime commitment. It will make you a better human.

 

Sallie Palmer teaches private and group dog training classes in Willits and Ukiah. For more information about Well Mannered Mutts and the services offered go to www.wellmanneredmutts.net

 

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