Brainy Dog

“We're getting rid of our dog…”

These words send chills down a dog professionals spine.

Wait, don't stop reading.  More information is better than less.  You deserve to know the options so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Y__  N__  Are you a quitter?  

Y__  N__  Would you get rid of your children?    

Y__  N__  Does your dog think you're family?  

Y__  N__  Do you know dogs think? 

I beg you to read on.

Do the research. Check out the Brainydog.com web site to see if the problems you're dealing with are solvable.  Hint: Yes, the problems you’re having with your dog ARE solvable. If not, no charge for the consolation. 

Here are few questions to assist in your difficult decision.

1. Which option will convey the most positive image to your children, friends and family?

a) Get rid of the dog.

b) Face and resolve the issues?

2. Which option will make YOU "feel" best about yourself?

a) Get rid of the dog.

b) Face and resolve the issues?

3. Which option will return the love and devotion your dog has already unselfishly shared with you?

a) Get rid of the dog.

b) Face and resolve the issues?

Be brave, be the leader by providing positive "life lessons" for your family. Your family will respect you more than you thought possible.

Are finances kicking your tail?  You're not alone, been there, maybe worse than you maybe not as bad.  As I carry my computer into a local restaurant to finish this article, I pass a nice looking gentleman, removing the trash container lid, to look for cans.  He's humming cheerfully to himself while new and old cans clatter in his plastic grocery bag.  I get it.  Food and a roof over your head are priority.

Even if you are in a dire situation, consider this question.

If you lost everything but still had your family, would you feel lucky? 

Would you be so thankful to have each other, that the grief from losing "things" quickly fades.

Just for the sake of your dog, put him or her in the "family" category (for a moment) instead of the "things" category.  How does that look?  Your family (dog included) snuggled in the back seat of your car eating rice?  Could be worse. There are ways to get dog food (and human food) if you let yourself ask for assistance. 

List three ways you can save 30 dollars a month for dog food.  Bring your lunch to work?  Cut commercial beverages in half?  Buy fewer cigarettes a month?  Brain storm with your family, everyone can pitch in a little.  Write it on a piece of paper so it’s in black and white.  This is yet another way to gain your families respect.

1 _________________________

2 _________________________

3 _________________________

One more question. 

If your dog was well mannered, would you try harder to keep him or her? 

That's the bottom line.  Train your dog and your dog can spend more time with you.  Presumably spend his or her whole life with you. 

This is the reason I quit my big fancy pansy job to become a dog trainer. I wanted to do something important, more important than process improvement for big corporations.  Family is more important. Making connections with nature, for me especially animals is more important. Keeping dogs out of shelters and with their families, to me, is extremely important.

I know that's a lot to think about.  Sleep on it, process it, just don't dismiss it without talking with your family.  Do it at 7:00, make a date with your family and.. what’s  your dog’s name?

By the way, the following are changeable behaviors.  Challenge me, I've devoted my life to this.  I'll talk to you.

Jumping, barking, digging, chasing animals, nipping, biting, growling, fighting, running away, peeing on the floor, pooping on the floor, pulling on the leash, going nuts at delivery people, lunging at dogs, eating the carpet, couch, or drywall, stealing food off the counter (or steak from the grill), costing too much money (yah that too), knocking people over, drinking from the toilet, following you everywhere, jumping out of the window, barking while in the car, scratching the car, getting car sick, eating the garden, smudging the windows, taking the best seat in the house, grabbing a stupid bottle of water from the fridge instead of a beer, drooling... okay, not much I can do about that one,  …well, I might have some ideas on that one... humm...  I'll do my very best to help your dog stay in his or her family.  PROMISE

The reward for the family?  Check out these thoughts.

You are the one who they’ll talk about with admiration in their eyes as they tell friends, lovers, counselors, grand children that:  

“My parents were not perfect, but they made darn sure we kept our dog Smoky even when times were hard.  Working together we made sure Smokey had what he needed.  It helped us pull together.  Keeping him, seemed to lower our stress. I remember Smokey licking us on the face and we would all bust out laughing.

On the other hand, don’t think your family will forget that YOU are the one who discarded the family dog, think about how that will that program kids of the future?

If you’re not convinced to keep your dog, at least vow to modify your future behavior.  Please don’t repeat the behavior of getting a cute big-eyed animal, unless you plan ahead for the life expectancy of that animal (for dogs plan on 14-18 years). 

Will you go to college?  Where will the animal live during that time.  It’s not Mom and Dads job to take care of the animal you adopted unless you made that agreement BEFORE you brought your pet home.  Mom and Dad may want to travel after you are in college.  They did their part, time for them to play. 

What about vacations?  Check out boarding BEFORE you get an animal.  If you are likely to move (in the next 20  years), so will your dog, plan for it and keep looking until you find a place for BOTH of you.  If you get a dog WHILE you’re are in college take it with you when you leave or don’t get one.  Are you willing to go the extra mile to find a place for you AND your animals?  If not, don’t get animals. 

Everyone makes mistakes, but learn from them, please make the world a little better by not passing negative lessons along to your children and don’t repeat the bad behavior yourself.

Gonna do it anyway?

• Ask family and friends to adopt from you.
• Take the time to find a no-kill shelter.
• Pay for ads to advertise your dog.
• Make posters explaining your situation.
• Pay for boarding until you find a home.
• Place free ads online.  Petfinder.com, craigslist.com, search for “free pet ads”
• Train your dog so he or she has a better chance for finding a permanent home, who knows, once trained you may change your mind.

Sherry Clark – Brainy Dog

530 566 1966

Email: trainingisfun@brainydog.com

Web site: brainydog.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/brainydog