Responsible dog ownership

With the amount of information that comes across my desk and computer each week on dog care or lack thereof, I felt I had to make a bit of a statement about the responsibility of owning a dog. Before I do, I wanted to make one little comment regarding the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. It was all over the news yesterday and that includes the internet news. Everyone was shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events. It will be sad not seeing Steve wrestle his crocodiles or take those risks I sure wouldn't want to do. However, a couple of things came to mind:

1. He knew what he was doing and CHOSE to do so

2. He loved what he did

3. He died doing what he loved

I honestly don't think it could get any better than that because we all have to die one day and what better way than doing what you loved doing? None of us wants pain, but I'm sure he went swiftly and I am guessing here of course, but I don't think death was meant to be painless. So Steve, we'll miss you!

This brings me back to our topic about responsible dog ownership. You see Steve made his choices but the only choices dogs have once we bring them home are the ones we make for them. Cute puppies grow into dogs and it is entirely up to US how they will turn out. A dog is as good as the owner who brings him home. If your dog is unruly and disobedient, the only one to blame is looking back at you in the mirror. If your dog tears up your personal things, potties in the house, and doesn't come when called, again look to yourself.

It is our responsibility to care for and teach our dogs how to interact and live in our society, otherwise they will apply their dog learning and logic which isn't usually a good thing. Dogs nip their young when they are unruly, do you want them doing that to your children when they're unruly? Then it's up to US to train them the correct behavior and I'm one who is for positive reinforcement training. Discipline is as important for dogs as it is for children and for them to know their boundaries. If we're out of control, how can we expect our dogs to be any different?

I have a problem, a big big problem with BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) because that is punishing the dog and not the owner who made him or her that way. That would be like punishing the car for killing someone because you were driving drunk. Doesn't make a bit of sense. While we need dangerous dog laws, really the problem is a human social one. We need to look within ourselves and ask if we have what it takes to love and rear a dog responsibly so that they can get along well in our human society, otherwise I question the motive or motives for bringing a dog home to live with any of us. Remember their society is different than ours. Ours is foreign to them until they are taught and if we don't have time for that, then we don't have time for a dog. Okay, I'm done...for now.

Have a tail waggin' day!