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K9 Corner: Dogs, and owners, can be trained

October 01, 2008|HELEN PALMER

In the September issue of Pepper 'N Salt Newsletter of the Standard Schnauzer Club of America, Robert L. Gold, a schnauzer rescuer, told the story of "Sam, Sam the Grumble Man."

Gold was notified that a family wanted to turn in its 3-year-old, black standard schnauzer as unmanageable and undesirable. On his visit to retrieve this unwanted dog, Gold discovered a loving, almost doting, but insecure young dog. Gold stayed with the family in order to evaluate the animal and its relationship with the family members.

He voiced his conclusions before leaving, since the problems were manmade, not canine oriented. Still, the family said it didn't want to change its routines, so Gold took Sam home and kept him.

The story brought to mind my first dog that had been abused as a little pup and hated men with a passion. As she grew, I realized I needed to do something about her hatred or I wouldn't be able to have fun with her. I took her to an obedience class in Lexington and told the instructor that she was impossible (she was braced and growling at him). "She's not impossible, you are impossible," the man replied, and he spent the next eight weeks proving he was right by working with my dog after classes.

Leadership and dogs

A local trainer was talking with me last week and told of a couple whose dog they felt was out of control. In observing the interaction between the owners and the dog, this trainer told the couple that they were not providing the necessary leadership and the dog felt the need to fill the vacant leadership role.

I don't know if the couple joined the trainer's dog obedience class, but I strongly recommend that anyone purchasing, adopting or rescuing a dog should attend at least one obedience class.

Fortunately, the Danville-Boyle County Humane Society sponsors a free obedience class once a month. Anyone who has adopted a dog or pup from the local animal shelter is notified of the class, but others who read about it in The Advocate-Messenger, who have new dogs from anywhere, also are welcome in the class.

Take advantage of the free class. Learn about communicating with your dog in terms the dog understands. Did you know that placing your hand over the back of the dog's neck is a dominant gesture in "dog language?" How about placing the palm of your hand on the dog's flank and holding it there to calm the animal? Learn the technique of motivational training. Have questions? This free class tries to answer all questions before calling it a day.

There is no reason for anyone in this county to have to turn their dog into a rescue service like Sam's family did because they didn't know enough to exercise their pet and give the animal some quality time and attention. Anyone with questions can go to the free training class and get their questions answered. These classes generally are held on the first Saturday of the month; just watch the newspaper.

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