Just a Family Pet?
I am from the world of competition dogs that also contribute to the community. For many years, all my dogs were involved in Search and Rescue, Pet Therapy, but also AKC, UKC and SV conformation, obedience, agility, sheep herding, and tracking. I felt that I owed it to my dogs to do something with them because of their talents. Not that I wish to toot my own horn here, but somewhere along the line I starting feeling like this was something I HAD to do!
More and more, though, I starting hearing, “My dog is just a pet. He doesn’t have to do those things”. While our beloved pet doesn’t need to win any obedience shows, the role of a pet dog is more important than any other dog! He lends an ear to a child who was picked on at school, or waits patiently by the front door when the clock says it’s time for you to come home from work. He is always ready to go anywhere with you for a ride even just to the grocery store. And he must be kind to every person and dog he meets. The role of a pet is so far beyond that of any obedience champion!
Because of that, there are important things to think about for him to fit into our home and keep him safe. The first thing to consider is to identify things that are life threatening for any dog. What are those? Jumping on the counter is one. If a dog grabs a knife with meat flavor on it, it can be life threatening. Not coming when he is called can be life threatening. We surely don’t want him to get lost on hikes, or eaten by predatory animals in our wonderful National Forests, or hit by a car when he decides to run across the street to greet another dog or a squirrel! Jumping on people can be life threatening to people. If a large dog jumps on someone with an invisible disability, it can knock them over causing serious injury which YOU then become liable for. Pulling hard a leash can lead to him pulling you or your children over causing injury that requires surgery or months of physical therapy. And bolting through a door or out of the car could cause him to be hit by a car. These are the things I consider extremely important.
It’s also important to know that clear and fair structure helps our dog to feel safe and comfortable. Dogs without any structure can become overly anxious. That anxiety can become full blown separation anxiety which may cost you thousands of dollars in repair bills or veterinary bills! I have seen dogs rip the sheet rock off of the wall, break windows, or tear up all the carpet in a house when they are left alone. There are preventative things you can do to avoid such anxiety.
The best way to remedy all of this is to teach your wonderful PET DOG his manners the second he comes to live with you. No puppy is too young to learn and old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Teaching the basics of sit, down, come, off, and loose leash walking is really the key to owning a wonderful pet dog that you enjoy his entire LONG life! Teaching obedience skills becomes our communication tool and can actually develop a closer bond with your dog!
