Lack of General Public/Dog Education - Page 1

I was just starting a new (to me) Stanley Coren Book today and with his following opening statements it made me realize that I must not be the only one that thinks on a daily basis, how sad the average humans "dog" education really is.

He opens with a statement by Maurice Maeterlinck     "We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet; and amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us"  Did you all get the chance to see "The science of Dogs" on t.v. yet?

He also states that "36% of all people share their lives with dogs"

He also states "there are more than sixty-two MILLION dogs in North America alone"

with this following statement made by Mr. Coren,  "It is Really Surprising that we receive no formal education about dogs", I had to stop to post this to remind us all to keep in mind, if there is anyway we can promote better care, better health and better homes for these marvelous animals, even in the smallest way, it's our responsibility to try to do so. I myself know I've stopped to chat with folks buying a cheap dog chow loaded with corn and dyes at the grocery store and making them more aware of "what" they were actually buying. Or yelling out at a stop light at some kid when they have a loose dog in the back of their pick up truck and hot rodding around town, or even offering someone an extra collar I had with me seeing the one they had was too small for their particular pet and choking them, or mentioning to someone in need of a dog obedience class of one that may be starting locally in the near future.

I know there are times we have to keep our mouths shut, or at least try to when we see someone parading around and "showing off?" a couple mutts that are choking away and pulling them down the aisles of "Pet World" knocking things off the shelfs and tripping people, or when the neighbor lady is so proud of her Roses and the dogs are stuck in an x-pen all day, but there are always those times when that lady buying that "Beniful or Gravy Train" decides to put it back on the shelf and asks you for directions to this Feed Store that you mentioned that you buy your Premium Chow at......THAT makes it all Worthwhile in my eyes.

Anyone else care to share a story of how they believe they have made a difference, even if it's just one dogs care, it can really make a difference in that animals life. 

Sometimes just seeing a well mannered GSD in public can inspire someone to actually start working with their dog.  I have many times been asked how I got her to behave so nicely.  LOL I had her at Jiffy Lube with me for my cars service, and the manager offered me $500 if I could get his dog to act like her.  I told him that I couldn't teach his dog but I could teach him!

BTW I am also a big Coren fan.  Both "How Dogs Think" and "The Intelligence Of Dogs" are indespensable IMO.

LOL I agree about the public ed. I got 2 shout outs least night walking my dog. He is far from great in OB we were just working on focus while walking but people who don't know much, think I'm some dog training God. Cracks me up. They yell for me to come over to their yard and ask all about my dog and how I get him to do that. It's nothing but the ball drive right now.

PSP I have both of those 2 books, any others of his writings you would recommend? He has written quite a few. And, as far as your statement "I could teach Him!", that is what this post is all about....educating those who would appreciate the help to step in the right direction and "slap" those awake a little that have no idea, like those that have a dog twice their proper weight or those that allow their dog to pull them down the street. I like your statement to the man :)

4Pack  Hey, keep up the good work. Yes, our dogs alone, by setting an example can help the public realize a dog is capable of more than shitting in their yards! *laffin* It's so nice to get a comment beyong "What a Beautiful Dog" that I'm sure most of us hear everyday and instead to get a comment about what a well behaved dog or well trained dog we have! I love taking one my my Service Dogs into Sams Club or Walmart and get something besides comments about their good looks. One of my favorites was meeting an Assistant Manager of a local grocery store when he addressed me in an aisle asking why I had my dog in the store as someone had made a complaint (jelousy?), anyway, I explained she was a full time, fully trained Service Dog and introduced her and assured him that we would meet again as I was a regular shopper. Funny thing, next time we met up with him in the store, he was up on the 2nd step of a ladder stocking spices on the top shelf and as we approached the aisle he accidently dropped a jar of some spice. He started to come down his ladder to get it and so as we approached I said, "We'll get it for you" and commanded my dog to "Pick". She promptly picked up the jar and handed it to me and I held it up to him on the ladder! Needless to say we are Always welcome in this store now and the staff now states, when they get a report of a dog in the store with a customer, "Yes, she is a Fully Trained Service Dog and we love her visits".