We often humanise dogs as society hasn’t reinforced the practical uses of these animals, tending to give attention & affection for no reason. Sometimes seeking a companion possibly for self satisfaction, or indulgence (to know that we are tending to this cute ball of fun).

Although most of today’s canines are domesticated, and have been integrated into the family home/environment, they were originally bred for a purpose, to hunt for example or to retrieve, herd, guard etc.

Over the decades and centuries the breeds have been finely tuned to be the best at their JOB, therefore each dog needs a job to feel complete & proud. As dog owners it is up to each individual to take responsibility for enhancing your dogs behaviour, abilities or both.

A lack of knowledge (slight or major), or an array of other individual reasons for why we do what we do, each owner can develop their own dogs intelligence further, or take training to the next level, (as giving them too much “leadership”. For example. shouting at them as we may do to some children, dictating all day long, or making them work all day, without reward or joyous affection can lead to other unwanted behaviour later on.

First question should be, “Am I looking for a dog, to be a dog, and to be trained to be a dog or to be trained to think its human?” too much fuss and not enough training (babyfied), or could it possibly be that you are actually looking for a baby, perhaps. You may even want to rescue a dog that has had a “Bad Life” so you can make a fuss of it and give it a “Good Life”.

Whatever the reason you should ask yourself the question with all seriousness in mind, for the life of the dog, and for the time that they will spend with you, “Why do I want a dog?”.

“Owning one of these wonderful creatures, IS a PRIVILAGE, not just a right, and as Humans, we should have the intelligence to remember that”

Please note:

A dog is still a dog, not a child. Whatever your individual circumstances, or expected requirements from a dog, a dogs needs are still the same, similar in many respects to a humans needs; food-water-physical exercise-mental exercise-shelter-affection-development-communication to mention a few, as opposed to affection-affection-affection, or affection-shout-affection for example. It doesn’t mean that you should make affection a distant memory.

A good balance is needed, and affection given at the correct moment is one of the keys to building a strong bond and trust that you should have between you and your dog/pack.

You will need to consider the time that the dog would be unaccompanied. For example, if you are working, who will walk & care for the dog until you arrive home?

The most a dog should be left alone is around 2 hours for the safe development of the dogs psychology, and the bond between the dog and the owner/handler.

You would still need to do the “Coming Home” routine, followed up by the “Leaving Home” routine, then you would walk/exercise, apply some training techniques, and also need to provide affection.

You HAVE to be 100% serious with regards to the commitment, patience, cost, time, and effort, needed to own and train a dog. They are not shoes to be tucked away until you are ready to use them.

We feel we needed to be mention this due to the thousands of dogs, being abandoned/placed into rescue homes, and the reasons why they arrive there. Some of the reasons are “We don’t want him, he doesn’t listen!!”, “I don’t have the time”.

A couple of real but very basic “excuses” of people washing their hands of this adorable pet that relies on their owner/leader for all the food exercise and knowledge that will be provided 100% of the time.

Most the time (apart from some medical conditions) it would only take a little time effort and patience to own an obedient and loyal canine. In the majority of cases, had the complete responsibility been fully understood appreciated and acted upon, then, as you can imagine a large number of “Rescue Dogs” would still be in happy homes with their original families.