THE LIFE AND DEAT OF AN UNTRAINED DOG

Standard;The Life and Death of an Untrained Dog

Written by: Becky Bouchard

I was born in the middle of winter. Our whelping room was warm and cozy. Our blankets were always clean. I woke up one morning with my littermates. I saw Mom lying there so I went over to get some breakfast. Mom was warm and she licked me all over. She LOVED us so much. She would feed us, play with us and teach us. Things were so good back then.

I loved my mom and my littermates. My human family took such good care of Mom and all of us. We were always well fed. Cleaned, held and cuddled. I remember the first time I saw a human. My eyes were just beginning to open and I felt someone pick me up and welcome me to the seeing world. Her breath was warm and fragrant. Her hands were soft and nurturing. She would hold me and cuddle me and, all my brothers and sisters. She would bring us all into the living room and put us in a playpen. Her children would hold us and play with us. They were so fun. Always hugging and kissing us. The human mom also really loved our mom. She was always bringing her treats, petting her and babysitting us so mom could have some time to herself.

As I grew it was time for me to have a family of my very own. I was so excited about the thought of my own family with children to play and sleep with. One day a family came and took me away. They told me I was special and they would always take care of me. They held me and loved me and told me what a wonderful home I was going to have. Life was great in the beginning. I played with the kids, I slept in their beds. The children would run and I would chase them around. When I was little they would let me jump on them and even playfully bite them. The family would laugh and encourage me to play like this. They gave me lots of toys such as socks, stuffed toys and, old shoes. I had so much fun, those were the days. Then things changed, the rules changed I was no longer allowed in the house. As I got bigger I would accidentally knock the children down. I would try to bite them on the cuff of their pants as they ran. I found toys like the ones my family gave me when I was younger and, I would chew them up. They started getting mad at me all the time. When I jumped up they would knee me down. One minute they were laughing at me for playing and biting and, the next minute they would spank me for doing the very same thing. I am so confused. I only want to please them but, I do not know how.

Now I spend my days, hour after hour, chained in the back yard. No one comes out to play with me. When my family does come out I am so happy to see them I jump up and down, run around and bark. I want them to notice me and play with me like the old days.

They just toss me some food and walk away. No hugs, no play, just left here in solitaire all my days. I am so bored, I spend my days digging up the yard around me. This makes my master very angry. The May flies, Mosquitoes and Fleas are all over me. This drives me crazy. I am so dirty and I smell bad, no wonder no one wants to pet me. I get so mad and frustrated out here all alone every day. I want to bite someone. The more I sit out here alone, on this chain, the angrier I become. If my family is so unhappy with my behavior, why don’t they train me? Why won’t they spend the time to teach me what is right and wrong? I only want to please them. Day after day I sit here alone, cold and dirty. No one cares anymore. I don’t care anymore. What happened? What did I do? I always wanted a family of my own to love and please.

I thought they wanted me.

A new day, things have gotten better for me. My master took me for a ride to the shelter. It can be a scary place. I was really afraid but, did learn there are some good things about it. They talk to me, they give me fresh food and water, my fleas are gone. I am no longer chained to a dog house 24/7. I have been here for a few weeks now. People come and they come up to my cage I bark and snarl, I am scared though, as I don’t really trust anyone any more. I act tough by showing my teeth and growling. They leave me alone. Day after day the people come and go. Some of them take a dog with them as they leave. Was I such a bad dog they put me in jail? I don’t really think I like people anymore. People treat you bad. I miss my mom and my littermates.

Here comes a lady. She is not afraid of me even though I act really tough. I think she knows how afraid and alone I am. She is bringing me some treats. I haven’t had a treat in so long. She has a leash…… She is taking me for a walk. Yippee!!!! She doesn’t seem afraid of my bad behaviors and acts kindly to me. She puts a muzzle around my mouth. I feel kinda funny after the treats, I am very relaxed and I don’t feel so angry. She takes me into a quiet room. She pets me. Oh…. It feels so good. How much I miss being pet and loved. I think maybe I could be good. If someone would just teach me and help me.

She hugs me, she smells so good. I want her to take me home. She is so kind. Maybe she is going to take me with her. She pulls out a needle, she tells me I will be alright, and she rubs my head, slowly, softly and gently…..

I am so sleepy, what is happening?

What has happened to me? The woman tells me I am going to sleep now for a very long time but not to worry I will be at peace.

……no one will ever be able to hurt me again.

Thanks for reading the above story...It is absolutely, positively a requirement from me, that you read my entire website and do your research for both holistic care, and about training. A new addition to your family of a furry friend of ANY breed is not to be taken lightely. This is a serious step. A great pet is ONLY great if it is first off healthy, and second, trained well. There is nothing more frustrating than a bad mannered dog. DO NOT let your new puppy train YOU....the alpha in your home is YOU....

I should have my dog training degree by the spring/summer of 2011...this is not only to help my dogs, but I want the added confidence that none of the puppies that I place will end up in a shelter... EVERY dog needs training and discipline...JUST like our kids do....

So please, do NOT purchase a puppy unless you are ready....the puppy stage can be very trying and does last a year at least...so I beg of you to learn before you take home that adorable puppy at that absolutely cutest stage...they grow up, they chew, they want to nibble on things and want to be petted and loved...and will ONLY be a wonderful pet if you train, love, and respect them...hard work, but oh so VERY worth it.....