I
was impressed and pleasantly surprised. In short order, these
young children created a better list than some adults would.
Most
owners recognize that a well cared for dog needs shelter,
a healthy diet, and veterinary care that includes spaying
or neutering, check-ups and appropriate vaccinations. Most
also know, or quickly learn, that grooming is important to
canine health as well as appearance. Less obvious, but equally
important, is a dog's need for social interaction - what the
children called play, love and attention.
Dogs
are descended from wolves and, like wolves, are highly social
animals. Wolves bond with their pack; dogs bond with their
individual owner or family. The owner is viewed as the leader
of the pack, the "alpha dog" - a built in advantage
when it comes to training.
Because
dogs naturally want to belong to a pack and obey their leader,
owners who socialize and train their dog will have a companion
who is obedient, loyal and well behaved.
A
dog who has been banished to the yard, basement, or garage
has been deprived of the opportunity to form this important
attachment. This is a hardship for the dog and a loss for
the human pack. Dogs that are isolated for long periods of
time become bored and destructive (these are the ones who
bark incessantly, chew on everything, dig holes) and possibly
even anti-social and dangerous.
The
children were right to name "exercise" as an important
need, as well. It is important for both health and behavior.
Dogs who lack adequate exercise also can become bored, destructive
and difficult to handle.
Too
many owners view outdoor time as merely an opportunity for
their pet to relieve him or herself. A walk around the block
twice a day does not equal exercise, nor does putting a dog
alone in a fenced-in yard. Except for those sad creatures
who have become so neurotic that they rush back and forth
along the fence all day, barking at every rustling leaf (a
behavior so annoying that the dog is universally hated), dogs
in yards are usually quite sedentary.
The
solutions to these potential problems are simple and go to
the heart of the human-canine relationship: Train your dog
for obedience, play with him, take her for at least one long
daily walk or jog (all but the very oldest and frailest dogs
need substantial daily exercise). Give affection with lots
of pats, rubs, ear scratches.
In
return for giving their pets education, exercise and attention,
owners will be richly rewarded with unconditional love and
the companionship of a well adjusted pet.
I
once asked a class of first and second graders, "What
does a dog need?" Almost everyone raised a hand, and
in just a few moments the children listed: