Years ago, a boyfriend taught me that there are two things you can never criticize or talk negatively about - people's dogs and people's kids. And although I'm no expert on children, I do know a thing or two about living, loving and training dogs.
I currently have a 10 1/2 month old chocolate Labrador who is becoming a very wonderful little girl. She's eager to please and loves training and really hasn't been a problem at all except for the shedding (that's another whole post!).
One of her daily routines is to play fetch in our backyard. - and being a retriever, we're outside a couple times a day. During this time I can observe the neighbour's daily activities. They have a 9 month old shepherd lab cross who seems to be a terrible little trouble maker; she's chewed up patio chair cushions and plant pots and she's dug all over the yard. And she's been getting in trouble from her owner and his friends as they play with their RC cars on his backyard track.
And what I want to say to them, but can't, is that there dog is the way it is BECAUSE IT'S BORED! Plain and simple. This young dog doesn't get enough attention. Just because he sits on his balcony smoking doesn't mean the dog is getting an activity at all. As I'm throwing the "ball" (it's actually a fat squirrel toy) and my dog is happily returning it to me, this poor thing is getting yelled at for entering the track and chasing RC cars. Poor thing.
I was so tempted to go over to the fence and say, "here, let me take her for a while" and play with her.
What needs to happen before people take the time to understand and care for their animals? Will they ever realize that a little bit of extra attention in the beginning will give them a wonderful companion? Why do some people get dogs in the first place?
2 comments:
Oh my God, Denise. You and my friend Barb could be sisters! She has taught me so much about how to be a good dog "Mom". We are lucky to have the acreage for our dogs to run around on. Even with all that room and freedom all day long, they both still LOVE to go for a "walk". We adopted a Rottie last year and that's a whole new world for us. My sister has a chocolate lab puppy, maybe about the same age as yours. Lots of energy, but she has the space and time to work with it. Not like my step-daughter who has a Coon Hound and lives in a townhouse in the city. Huge mistake. I could go on and on about how that is just not working and it's not the dog's fault. You are absolutely right.....some people should not get dogs in the first place. If you don't want to spend the time and energy with them, get a cat.
But maybe your idea is not so bad. Offer to take the neighbour's dog for a walk or play time in your yard with your dog.
Thanks Jo - right now it's been 'locked' on the balcony for the last couple of days but I might just have to do that - poor sweet little dog.
Say 'hi' to Barb then! So nice that you have such a big property for your puppers!
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