| Let me introduce my dogs. I have 3, | | | | especially during the holiday and travel |
| Nikki and Benny are my therapy dogs, and | | | | season.There are many training methods |
| Dukie is my blind dog. Nikki is a 1 1/2 | | | | available. You need to find the method |
| year golden retriever and Benny is my 5 | | | | that will work for you and your dog, (a |
| year old black lab. Dukie is now 10 | | | | humane method of training, of course.)I |
| years and also a black lab.Today I saw a | | | | was thinking about this as I was taking |
| picture of a ceramic rabbit statue for | | | | my 3 dogs (one is blind) out for a walk |
| the garden; boy did it bring back | | | | today. Just as we were getting into the |
| loving memories. It also made me think | | | | jeep (I drive to where I walk), a lady |
| of the importance of training your dog. | | | | pushing a stroller came past my |
| That is why I am writing this | | | | house.Now, you need to understand, that |
| article.When we first took our golden | | | | my now golden retriever, Nikki, seems to |
| retriever up north to the cottage she | | | | think the whole world is out to play |
| loved it. Of course she would, she was | | | | with her. She is only 1 1/2 years old. |
| a golden after all, and goldens love | | | | I thought to myself...WOW! What if she |
| cottage life, the outdoors and the | | | | had decided to take off and play with |
| lakes!!Now, my golden was running around | | | | the lady and her stroller? Would she |
| lose, just having a great time. My | | | | have come back to me instantly when |
| husband, Chris and I were sitting | | | | called? Stopped instantly on command? |
| outside talking with our friends who had | | | | I am not sure. This gave me reason to |
| a house beside the cottage.All of a | | | | reflect seriously about obedience |
| sudden my golden comes running right | | | | training. Now, you may be thinking that |
| over to us, all exited and happy. Our | | | | because she is a therapy dog, she is a |
| golden always ran to us when she had | | | | well behaved trained dog. And yes, she |
| something in her mouth, never away from | | | | is. But even a therapy dog gets their |
| us. WOW, she had gone hunting, and she | | | | moments when out and running lose. And |
| was proud of it.There in her mouth, was | | | | for some reason, my dogs can be total |
| a rabbit!!I started to freak, of course, | | | | pests at home, and total angels when |
| but then on closer inspection (from my | | | | visiting the seniors.A dog must, for |
| husband) we saw it was a "plastic | | | | their own safety and security, and I |
| rabbit" out of our friend's garden. | | | | will repeat myself here, a dog MUST stop |
| This was one of those golden moments. | | | | and come on demand. This can never be an |
| My Katie Bear is gone now, I still miss | | | | option. Whether your dog is a therapy |
| her so much, and I will always miss her. | | | | dog, like mine, or a house pet the same |
| I have a new golden, and I love her | | | | rule applies.Check your neighborhood for |
| very much, but she does not replace my | | | | training classes. Also, there are many |
| Katie Bear....I shed a few tears of | | | | different types of programs available, |
| sadness because I still miss my | | | | including online downloadable programs, |
| Bear.Thanks for letting me share my | | | | which are very,very good.. Check them |
| memories. Dog obedience, has always been | | | | out. Find the one that suits your |
| very important to me. So, please please, | | | | lifestyle. And, do it. Both you and |
| train your dog. I can just never say | | | | your dog will be happier!My two |
| this often enough. Your dog must obey | | | | passions, health and pets.Doing therapy |
| you. Simple commands like: come, sit, | | | | dog work is one of the most rewarding |
| stay, STOP! It is so important for the | | | | activities I can do with my dogs. Pet |
| safety and enjoyment of your dog, | | | | health care is one of my passions. |