In my last message I talked about taking your Spaniel by the tail both literally and figuratively. Today, let’s talk about why it is important to do so.
Benefits of Dog Obedience
The benefits of taking control when it comes to our four-legged family members are huge. Taking control benefits not only us as their people but our dogs as well.
Obedience training should be mandatory not optional or a luxury.
When my husband and I were first married, we had a Cocker Spaniel and Lab cross. He was a wonderful dog who could sit, shake your hand, roll all the way across the floor and sing on command.
Tippy loved to chase rabbits. Ted shot the rabbits out of our haystack. He got one shot and Tippy, like a deer, bounded in front of the gun looking for the rabbits to retrieve.
Tippy also became somewhat of a Casanova. When he smelled the girls he started disappearing. We tried everything we could think of to keep him home. Unfortunately, his lack of obedience and our lack of knowledge and maybe commitment to obedience caused Tippy’s early demise. I was heartbroken and still cry when I think of him sometimes.
Right now, we have a female American Cocker Spaniel who we affectionately refer to as Trouble.
She can easily jump our four-foot fence. Every time someone goes down to the barnyard, if she is outside, she will jump the fence and join them.
Taffy is not trying to be naughty. She knows she’s not supposed to be out of the yard. She just wants to be with everyone in the barnyard, watching the chickens and being part of the action.
We have tried everything we know to do. Now it is time to do some studying and solicit help in teaching her to stay in the yard and not leave unless invited.
My husband and I had a border collie that some unfortunate sheep herder lost on the desert of western Utah. A friend found him 100 miles from nowhere with no sheep or camp anywhere to be found. He brought Gus to us, and we took him in. We lived on a working cattle ranch at the time, and he was an awesome stock dog.
Someone had taught him well. When we first got him, not knowing his background or anything about him, my husband left him home while he went to work cattle.
Gus would sit for hours, with no yard to contain him, watching the men, cattle and horses. It was obvious by his whining and fidgeting vigilance he wanted to go but he didn’t. He was very obedient.
The benefits of obedience include safety for our dogs, their health and welfare and even their happiness.
If we are playing and teaching, we are giving them the love and attention they crave and need. I think of my dogs like my children. They, like my children, need clear boundaries and rules. When they know their limits and learn to color inside the lines, they are happier and more content.
Likewise, our dog’s obedience gives us the benefit of not having to chase after and be embarrassed by their bad behavior. We are more content and happier to engage with them when they are obedient. It makes them enjoyable to be around.
In my case, and I’m sure I’m not alone, it also means less stress and anxiety for me. I’m a worrier and if my dogs aren’t behaving or are putting themselves in danger by their disobedience, I’m a wreck!
Taking your Spaniel by the Tail Challenge
I challenge each of us to take our Spaniels by the tail and seek knowledge and learning to help our dogs be safe, healthy and happy.