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“The Seven Breeds of Dog Owners”

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The different Breeds of Dog Owners.

I am truly blessed and love being a dog trainer. However, most people are surprised, and then chuckle when they figure out that they are my primary student, not their dog. Dogs read our body language and look to us for guidance and leadership. I like how Inger Martens, in her book “Paws for a Minute”, describes “The Seven Breeds of Dog Owners”.

 Breed #1: The Coaxer

Do you feel if you repeat the command often enough, beg, plead, etc., that sooner or later your dog will catch on?

 Breed #2: The Control Freak

Do you find yourself saying or yelling “Hey” every time your dog misbehaves? Do you say “No, get down, off, hey, stop it” in the same breathe?

 Breed #3: The Smacker

Do you use a rolled up newspaper or fly swatter and smack your dog on the nose or rear? Never, ever hit your dog.

 Breed #4: The Ol’ Evil Eye

Do you have the special look or trying to train through osmosis or ESP?

 Breed#5: The Whiner

Do you think your dog is brilliant because he constantly cocks his head? The whiner says “No” and “Good Boy” all in the same tone.

 Breed#6: The “It’s O.K.” owner.

For this type of dog owner absolutely anything and everything goes.

 Breed# 7: The Talker

Do you give your dog a dissertation on your daily events?

 You may have found a little of you in a couple of the different breeds. My purpose of sharing these different types of dog owners is to bring awareness to the fact that your dog looks to you for guidance and leadership. Your dog is reading your body language and responds from the energy or signals you are giving. So, if find your dog not responding to you favorably you may want to reevaluate the breed of dog owner you are.

 The consistency of your own behavior is an important factor in training your dog, and achieving good communications. Your dog training is only as good as the way you apply it, are you the pack leader? Obedience is the result of positive reinforcement, not discipline. You must learn to communicate with your dog at his/her level not yours.

I welcome any feedback.

A Dog’s Purpose

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Here is a great story that has been passed around the internet for some time and we humans can learn a lot from our four legged friends. So I wanted to share it with you.

 A Dog’s Purpose?
   (from a 6-year-old).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The Six-year-old continued,

”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

Live simply.    Love generously.   Care deeply.   Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

  • When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  • Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
  • Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
  • Take naps.
  • Stretch before rising.
  • Run, romp, and play daily.
  • Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  • Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  • On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
  • On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
  • When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  • Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
  • Be loyal.
  • Never pretend to be something you’re not.
  • If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.


    ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY AND THANK GOD FOR EACH BLESSING!