Having dogs really no problem

Having dogs really no problem

The Kennel - Dog Feature  Ceylon Today  4/10/2015

http://ceylontoday.lk/e-paper.html

By  Chanaka de Silva

Much has been said and written about dogs, man’s best friend. But how much of what we read is what we really want to know? Or can we hear much more and be receptive, too?

Everyday dogs are used for more and more varied uses to serve man. But the noblest of all is as the ever-faithful companion and friend. Everyone knows that dogs stand by their friends. Understanding our every need. But how much of the dogs’ needs do we know ? What do dogs really think? What do they really need? What do they really want us to be? Are we really the friends to the dogs who give us so much and ask so little in return?

Firstly do we really understand them? Dogs however noble, are animals. And as animals they have set patterns to living and eating. All the training we give them is only using some of their basic habits disguised to our advantage.

Why do dogs love us?

Dogs are pack animals. And therefore they think we are a part of the pack they belong to. Their pack system is based on a hierarchical system on age, Just like our family structure. Hence the head of the family automatically becomes the pack leader in its eyes. Once he is out, the leadership is transferred to the next dominant person. And the dog being a pack animal needs the companionship and security of the pack. If we can now understand the basic pack-structure then we can understand why dogs feel miserable when separated from the family. And the worst punishment for a dog is for it to be brought up alone. If you have more than one dog and you want to kennel it. Don’t kennel them separately. For dogs brought up alone end up becoming vicious animals. And we have heard of enough examples of the damage and harm caused by such animals. And inevitably always the dogs have been humiliatingly punished in the end. Without any consideration as to who created the problem.

As dogs are pack animals we must remember a few things. One is that they live together for protection and they also defend the pack. Just as they enjoy the protection of the pack, they also protect all members of the pack. They warn the pack of any intruders by barking. And as they live in dens they also keep the den very clean. Does all this sound familiar?

Bringing a New puppy home

This is the first and most exciting step in having a dog. Everybody is excited and fusses over the new arrival. The children think it’s cute, sweet etc., The mother thinks it’s too thin and should be fed. The father wants a guard dog. The little boy wants it to start playing ball with him. And the list goes on and on. All this from a puppy, a few weeks old.

First remember the puppy is the equivalent to a baby two years old. It has to eat several small meals. And sleep a lot. And every time it wakes up it has to relieve itself. So as it wakes up, take it out. As puppies have small stomachs give them several small meals instead of three large ones. Remember a puppy brought up well is a stronger healthy adult.

And same goes for exercise. Let it play for a few minutes and it will doze off after a while. It knows when it’s tired. Don’t over tire it. At around 4 months it will start to get its permanent teeth. At this time it will start chewing slippers, rugs etc. to get rid of it’s milk teeth. The ideal is giving a coconut husk, an old rag or something it can tear to its heart’s content. This solves a lot of problems.

House Training

This is a very important aspect of dog training about which everybody seems to have his or her own way. Some of these ways include rubbing the face of the puppy in the dirt, hitting it while showing it the place where it has messed etc. Babies take several months to be toilet trained. I have not heard theses methods used on them. There are two important and simple things to remember. First is that dogs relieve themselves as soon as they wake up. Second is that they go to the same place usually. The fastest way to house train is to put you puppy in the garden of on a sheet of newspaper as soon as it wakes up. Then as soon as it has done its business take it in again. Once this is done a few times, you have a perfectly house-trained pup in a few days. Simple!

By the time it’s five to six months old you can reduce the number of meals by dropping off the last one first. And working down to two meals a day by the time it’s eight to nine months old.

As mentioned above dogs are pack animals. A dog, not brought up with the human family (his pack), has no reason to defend it members or its property. We have read how dogs guard houses and property of its owners. And how they died defending children against other animals. But what is never mentioned in these cases is that all these animals were brought up with lots of love and affection. And how can a dog protect you or your property if it’s locked up all day.

Remember a well brought up dog is an asset. While a bad one is a very sad and dangerous thing to have. A dog with a little basic training care can be the biggest asset you will every have.