canine
connection

OVER the last year, I
have received a few
phone calls from peo-
ple who want me to
train their dog for
them.

Assuming they are like
other dog owners enquiring
about classes, I call them
back and say “Sure, I can
send you a registration form
for my next group obedi-

ence class.”
~  *No, no, no,” they reply
in hushed tones. “You don’t
understand, I want YOU to
train my dog FOR me.”

This is usually followed
with a barrage of excuses as
to why they can’t train their
dog, such as, “I don’t have
the time,” or “It is too
much work,” ‘or “It’s quick-
er if you do it for me.”

“I then sigh and ask
myself “Where do these
people come from and why
do they have a dog?”

Here is my answer to
those calls. If you are look-
ing for a quick fix to having
a well-behaved dog ... get a
stuffed toy! .

There is no such thing as
a simple and fast way to
train a dog. You can’t pop a
dog in a machine, press five
minutes on the timer and
presto! Your dog comes out
well behaved.

Training, just like dog
ownership, is a commitment
... a life-iong commitment.
You have to put in the time
to get the results.

And I stress the YOU
part.

‘Dogs are pack animals.
This means they feel secure
when they have a group of
individuals around them.
Within that pack is an
“Alpha” dog or the pack
leader. Dogs are very willing
to allow humans to have this
position. But this leader
must have certain character-

istics which make him/her
worthy of this position.

A Jeader is a patient, con-
sistent and fair individuai
who gives direction, iniates
play and feeding. A leader is
strong and doesn’t give up
when things get tough. The
individual who possesses
these traits is the individual
whom the dog will willingly
follow direction from. Ifa
dog cannot find these traits
within its pack, it will
assume the leadership role
and rule the pack.

What this all boils down
to is this, if you want to
have a well behaved dog.
this leader has to be yeu.

By you actively partici-
pating in the training of
your dog, you set the fimita-
tions and give praise for a
job well done. The dog will
respond effectively to you,
the person who has done
the training, because you
have demonstrated to your
dog all the skills necessary
to be the leader. If someone
else trains your dog for you,
they end up being the dog’s
leader. ;

For example, if someone
like myself, came to a per-
son’s house to train Fido, I
place myself in that leader-
ship role. Why? Because
am the consistent person
who is giving direction by
teaching the commands. |
am setting the boundaries
and teaching Fido what they
are. T end up having the rap-
port with Fido which makes
him/her a well-behaved
companion around me.
When I leave, Fido’s leader
leaves and Fido’s poor
behaviour continues.
Capiche?

Now, there are trainers
who will train a dog for an
owner, and they do get
results.

Buc that is usually done
by breaking a dog’s spirit to
the point that the dog does-
n’t care about who is in
charge. The dog has become
a robot, void of personality.
(sort of the way horses used
to be trained) i personally
do not believe in this
method of training.

If you want someone to
tell you that there is a fast
and simple way to train a
dog maybe you should
rethink your decision to be a

Humans’ names:
Travis, age 10; and Tyler, 12.

Pet's name and age:
Austin,. an 18-month-old
Golden Retriever. His family
chose him from a litter of 10
uppies -—~he was the
iggest.

Favourite activities:

Austin likes to go down into
Deep Cove with Tyler and
Travis to play fetch. The boys

dog owner.

Dog ownership is a big
responsibility and teaching a
dog to be a well-mannered
companion takes time and
effort. The training itself can
be made easier to apply and
simpler to understand under
the guidance of a trainer
who uses methods of train-

throw sticks and he fetches.

Favourite treat:

Ice cream is one of Austin’s
favourite treats (and who can
blame him?) but he also
adores ice cubes. In fact, he
comes running from any-
where in the house when he
hears the ice cube machine

going.

Pet taie:

According to the boys’ dad
Barry, Austin’s good looks get
him noticed wherever they
take him. The pup is also the
boys’ best pal. “He loves to lie
on the floor and cuddie with
the boys while we have family
movie nights.”

If you would like to appear
with your pet in Pet Pause,
please write to Terry Peters c/o
the North Shore News, 1139
Lonsdale Ave., North Vancouver,
B.C., V7M 2H4, Or send e-mail
io <photo@nsnews.com>.

ing which you believe in.

-— Joan is the owner of
Sierra K9 Training Academy
an the North Shore. E-mail
her for advice or training at
esierrak9@telus.net> or con-
tact ber through the North
Shore News. Comments in ihe
form of letters to the editor are
welconte.

NEWS photo Cindy Goodman

Your child will
improve one full
grade level within
36 hours of
instruction, or
we'll provide 12
additional hours at
no charge.“

West Yan.
926-3365

North Van.
985-6811

4a SYLVAN
LEARNING
% CENTRE’

Success is lzarned”

SYLVAN SKILLS
$25 O F F ASSESSMENT™
Just bring this savings certificate to your scheduled appointment
to save $25 on the Sylvan Skills Assessment™,

SYLVAN LEARNING CENTER®

Success is learned”

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 03/24/00