From: mlhb@mammoth.dr.att.com (Sky Warrior)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: Dog Functionality (long)
Date: 13 Aug 92 17:40:07 GMT


My $0.02 worth:

I have had dogs as both companions and as working partners.  It seems to me it is
important for the dog to have some purpose in life (other than to make you
happy).  I started mushing with three pets.  I was literally driven to do
something by Conan (whom you all have heard about).  This dog was a mastermind at
being a nuisance.  I personally think that most people would have had him put
down years ago for simply being an absolute terror.

Believe it or not, I got him about the same time I had a job with a netnews
connection (five years ago).  Since then, I've been on and off of the Net with
various "HELP ME, I'M GOING TO STRANGLE CONAN" questions,(everything from
trashing my house, to mouthing, to chewing,to forgetting housebreaking, to
barking, to just plain orneriness).  Many times the net.wisdom saved this dog 
from being a stuffed ornament ;-) ;-) ;-) BIG ;-) I'm kidding!

One thing I took to heart was training.  I met a wonderful trainer named Nancy
Johnson who runs Blue Springs 'N Katydid.  (She has published a book called
Everyday Dog)  While Conan tied for last place in obedience, his "brother",
Cuawn, took first place and most improved dog.  Nancy told me the way to stop
Conan's bad behavior was to find something for him to do -- it wasn't enough for
him to be a pet.  She told me that all dogs require something to do and something
to use that wonderful brain they possess.  Think about it, an animal that
intelligent can get bored.  If they don't have ways to channel that energy, they
will think up ways (barking, digging, chewing, etc.)

Through the Net and by accident, I stumbled into mushing.  Something "clicked"
inside Conan's feeble brain and suddenly the bad habits started to fall away.  He
became more friendly and outgoing and obeyed more. 

This is not intended to be "How mushing changed my life", but rather to
demonstrate that providing work of some variety can do wonders for pets.  Even my
other two pets have benefited from it (one being a Keeshond, who was spoiled
rotten when I got him)

Mushing is not the only work a dog can do.  I think there is work available for
every size and breed of dog.  Some suggestions:

Weight Pulling
Skijouring
Backpacking
Obedience Trials
Tracking
Coursing (Lures)
Search and Rescue
Frisbee
Hunting (pointing, flushing, retrieving, and like)
Herding
carting 
mushing
working w/ blind/disabled
therapy dogs (visiting hospitals, institutions)
Schzuhund (sp?)

If I recall correctly, Nancy suggested even simplier things such as teaching your
dog to pick up dirty clothes around the house and putting them in the hamper or
perhaps retrieving things by command.

Good Luck and have fun!

Sky Warrior

Conan, Cuawn, Shadow, Mirin, Dancer, and soon to include
Jasmine, Kersel, Bunny, Katie, and Pilgrim.

-- 
-----------------------------                                              
SKY WARRIOR aka MLH Bonham  | "Good tea.  Nice House." -- Lt. Worf
mammoth!mlhb@druhi.att.com  |----------------------------------------------
mlhb@drutx.ATT.COM          | SKY WARRIOR RACING KENNELS - Coming to an
                            | Iditarod near you!
----------------------------- 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs