By Laurie Frazer
I have a pack a day habit! My highest priority is satisfying the pack. After all my pack is alive, living creatures with needs…dogs. It is my responsibility first and foremost to fulfill those needs since the pack cannot fulfill them, with out me.
When I take a member of the pack to Petco to use as a demo dog for my classes, I am always complemented on how well behaved and great my dog looks. I am always approached and asked if the dog on my lead is “up for adoption?” This sometimes takes me back as the dog may be one I paid several thousand dollars for and have spent several thousand hours training with
I have decided what this question really boils down to is that at a glance my dog is representing itself as a dog that anyone could picture themselves owning. With nearly twenty five years experience, training hundreds of dogs I am quite sure anyone can learn the methods to make a dog just like mine. It just doesn’t happen very often. People go out and bring home a dog and it doesn’t develop into what they wanted. Under the pretense of authority, dog owners have told me every reason why it didn’t happen, of course it was the dog.
The real reason is the pack a day habit. Most new dog owners have a false sense that they have just brought home some new appliance who`s job it will be to make life better. They can use it when they want and when they are tired or busy they can throw it out in the “big yard”. During all those lonely hours in the yard the dog is learning! Learning to dig, chew, bark..
Dog owners are very good at telling you why they “can’t”. Usually it is they don`t have time! We all have time. Time is ticking by while you fold laundry. Did you know you can train a dog during that time? How much time do you spend on the computer, picking the kids up from school, cooking, watching TV? All of those times can be spent doing the chore and training the dog. I instruct my classes on this method and I get rave reviews on the success that dog owners experience with it.
The method is simple. Spend some of your dogs energy, preferably with a walk. Then simply keep your dog on a leash in the house. Have the dog sit, lay down and stay at your feet while you spend time living your life and training your dog. Your dog will learn quickly who is the pack leader. Your dog will learn a routine and settle into it. Eventually the leash will go. You will find you have all kinds of time to spend with a well trained dog.
Make a commitment to a pack a day habit! Your dog will reward you.