We all seem to live such busy lives. If we're not taxiing children from one activity to another we're working, attending functions or going on holiday. In all this activity it's quite easy to forget the needs of the family dog.
Moping around the street with a moody teenager engrossed in Facebook on a smart phone is no more fun for a dog than it is for us but that's quite often that's what passes for a walk.
Dogs don't just need exercise they need mental stimulation without which they can become boisterous and destructive. Plodding around the block with a 14 year-old retriever may be sufficient but it won't do the job for a young dog of any breed.
Learning is as essential for dogs as it is for children. Someone has to teach the family dog manners respect and appropriate behaviour. He isn't going to work it out on his own.
How will he learn to walk nicely to heel and not lunge at other dogs without a teacher? Who's going to show him how to meet and greet without jumping up?
What about all those constructive games he needs to help drain his energy? He can't learn them without you.
With the investment of some time and energy your dog will develop into that life-long companion you always wanted but it won't happen on its own. Like children dogs need guidance and education and it's far easier to do it before they go off the rails rather than afterwards.
Your dog is likely to be with you for many years so it's worth sacrificing some time to show him how to behave in our modern conflicting world. Get it right and far from rejecting him you'll find friends and family asking you to take your dog with you whenever you visit.
Once you make the commitment it's really quite rewarding to see the benefit you both get from training. You can see all out training classes at www.vicbarlow.com or simply text me on 07590-560012 for details.
