DOGGIE DOG BLOG

Give that Dog a Job  

Ok, so maybe he won’t be bringing in that weekly paycheck to contribute to the families finances. But, when given purpose and exercise you will have a much more obedient, productive and happy canine partner to live with.

Hopefully you have been catching on to the green mania that has been sweeping the news lately, and changed to using totes for your groceries instead of plastic that can sit for hundreds or thousands of years in landfills; Or paper that they cut down the beautiful trees we use for shade, shelter, and oxygen. If so, then your canine friend can carry in some those light weight totes for you eliminating all the needless trips back out to the truck or car, and giving him a job.

If you take him to the grocery with you on a day that’s not too hot, he can not only enjoy the leisurely ride, but can have the job of guarding your vehicle while you are in the store.

Play baseball or tennis? Have Fido retrieve that ball for you. Or better yet, bring your slippers to you when your feet are cold.

Run or Jog? Let your canine friend carry your items in his own backpack.

Live where it snows? Teach your dog to pull you in a sled. Or if you don’t live where it snows, you can get a really neat cart with wheels and let your dog (or dogs) pull you to the corner store. This can save on those extreme gas prices we are seeing today, and the pollution the gas is reeking on our environment.  You can even hook the kid’s wagon to Fido to pull the kids around the yard, or pull around the wagon with your supplies while you do yard work.

Always losing an item precious to you? Teach your dog to track and have him find that item for you every time you lose it. Heck, just hide it anyway and make a nice game of it.

Set up some non-toxic finger-paints and paper so your dog (and kids) can paint you a wonderful pawtrait.

Teach your dog to pick up clothes in the floor and place them in the laundry basket for treats.

Have your herding breed bring those kids up for lunch from the back of the yard or keep them in a designated area.

Sit and make a list of your normal daily duties and activities. Then sit and make a list of Fido’s strengths. Match the two by giving Fido jobs to do throughout the day to help and give him purpose. If Fido can only stand beside you to brace you so you can make it up off of the floor, this is still a job that he will be thankful for because he feels needed, and don’t we all like to feel needed? Besides the job, time spent together is very important. Have a wonderful, purposeful and fulfilled day.

Written by: M. M. Williams~

 Freelance Writer and Professional Dog Trainer

www.freewebs.com/williamsmm/