How awesome is my dog?
The point at which you realize your dog is the best!
~Darcy Rohats, CPDT-KA
The other day I was checking texts and found two from fellow dog instructors who asked if my Norwegian Elkhound, Star, could help them out in a class. Gee, Star is more in-demand than I am! Sigh. Once again, I was reminded of just how amazing my Star is.
How my dog helps other dogs…
When a stable, calm dog is needed to help reactive dogs work through their issues, Star is the go-to canine example. Always relaxed and tolerant, she reads other dogs very well and doesn’t look them in the face if they are uncomfortable. I wish I could read people as well as Star reads dogs! In Academy classes, she helps teach student trainers how a dog can think and make decisions. She’s a model for clicker training and even shows novice agility handlers how it feels to run a dog who really understands the game.
I always ask myself, how did Star get this way? How did she get so perfect?! Let me tell you about my Star.
Star was born and grew up in my home. When she first opened her eyes, I was the first human she saw. She learned from her five siblings and from all my friends who came over to play when the pups were growing. Star was exposed from the beginning to many different and wonderful humans. (Thank you, Beth!)
Star began formal training early on, including conformation and agility for AKC competitions. A natural around noise, activity, and other dogs, she handled every new situation unfazed. Conformation shows required a lot of grooming and standing around. Maybe she looked at the other dogs and just enjoyed being in a hive of activity: barking dogs and noisy, stressed people of all kinds. The sport of agility challenged Star mentally: Every course was a puzzle to be solved. She got to hang around people, travel, stay in hotels, and hang with me. She is a marvel.
I firmly believe that you, too, can have a dog that others envy!
When I think about it, it is really no wonder that she is so well attuned to my life and activities. Star has the right stuff to begin with. For her entire life, I have consistently worked with her, been fair and respectful of her; and the rest is history. It would be wonderful if everyone could have the same kind of relationship with their dog that I have been so fortunate to have with my Star. In a way, this is why I help others learn to work and communicate with their canine friends.
Our pups don’t come out of the womb fully formed. Just like children, they have their own personalities, aptitudes and strengths. Each must learn and develop at his or her own pace with your help and nurture.
Join us at AZ Dog Sports and with time, consistency, respect and, yes, patience; you, too, can enjoy a dog like Star.
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Yacon Root says
Awesome Blog. Really enjoyed reading.