| You are the center of your dog's universe. It is a | | | | stimulation other then unending affection without |
| weighty responsibility. You probably give your dog | | | | apparent purpose. This is a recipe for disaster. We |
| food, medical care, exercise, shelter and affection. | | | | live in urban areas and we cannot reasonably take |
| But have you ever considered what your dog | | | | our dog sheep herding in our subdivision. But we |
| may truly need that you neglect? I think we love | | | | can provide challenge and purpose to their lives. |
| our dogs so much because they seem so like us | | | | We can give them work and thereby give them |
| in so many ways. We can see them feel joy and | | | | self worth. This is what our dogs truly need and is |
| pain just like us. Things that we so admire in | | | | the part of their evolutionary heritage that has |
| humans such as loyalty, trust and a boundless joy | | | | made them an integral part of the human |
| are so abundant in our dogs that we cannot help | | | | experience. If you haven't begun, start obedience |
| but love them. But loving our dogs means more | | | | training your dog. Before your dog eats, make |
| then simply showering them with treats and | | | | her do work. Have her sit, down and come |
| kisses. We must respect that in being so like us | | | | before you feed her. You may pet her because |
| humans that they need purpose beyond living for | | | | you love her but your touch will have warm |
| food and shelter. In the course of my dog training | | | | meaning if she first fetches your slippers or puts |
| at Perfect Manners Dog Training I encounter so | | | | her toys away in her toy box. When you walk |
| many stressed, neurotic pets that are being | | | | her, work her. Throw away your retractable leash |
| literally killed with kindness that it troubles me | | | | and have your dog walk on a heel where she |
| greatly. How can good people, who love their | | | | must focus on you. In other words, think of your |
| dogs, so misunderstand what a dog truly needs? | | | | own life experience. Your food tastes sweeter |
| Think of how many horrific headlines you've read | | | | and accomplishments are only truly rewarding |
| of the spoiled rich child who was given everything | | | | when they have been achieved through your hard |
| in life without effort and spent his years spiraling | | | | work and effort. Your dog has the need for |
| from one personal tragedy to the next. Recall the | | | | meaning, purpose and self worth. Love is more |
| consequences of life without purpose on our | | | | then giving affection. It is also understanding what |
| species and imagine what we do to our canine | | | | can truly bring joy to that four legged creature |
| family. Many of the more popular dog breeds that | | | | that adores you more then you could ever know. |
| we love as pets were bred for work. Border | | | | Training your dog is not just about good behavior. |
| Collies toiled long hours in the field herding with | | | | Training your dog is about giving your dog the |
| their master. Labs hunted and retrieved while | | | | one thing he really, truly needs. Sandy Finley |
| running through bush and fields to retrieve | | | | Perfect Manners Dog Training |
| master's catch. Now these same proud breeds | | | | The author is a professional dog trainer and |
| are lavished with affection, overfed with treats, | | | | owner of Perfect Manners Dog Training in metro |
| and are lucky to have a fifteen minute hike | | | | Chicago. He is considered a national authority on |
| through a manicured park with their master on an | | | | dog behavior and dog training. |
| occasional basis. One day is like the next with no | | | | |