08/06/2024
Too many of us are buying or adopting working dogs or dogs for aesthetic and status reasons, while not knowing what to do with them on a daily basis.
Too many of these dogs are bored and frustrated as they are expected to be couch potatoes or be happy with staying home alone, sometimes locked up or crated, for 8-10 hours a day with lots of toys.
Too many on these dogs are then acting out via excessive behaviours - barking, digging holes, chewing furniture, while some are jumping the walls and running away.
Too many dogs are abandoned to fend for themselves or end up in a shelter because they are 'too much' for their families.
Too many dogs are put to sleep because of 'behaviourial' issues when the truth is that we just don't understand what they need.
Do the same amount of research on the breed you want as you would researching the TV you want...
Remember that form follows function, so a herding, guarding, retrieving or hunting dog would need to spend the main parts of their day engaging in activities that satisfy those genetic needs.
Don't choose a breed because of something you saw in a movie or on TV...understand the history of that breed and then you will get an idea of what dog needs in his daily life.