| As I am writing this article on Valentines Day, I am | | | | and theirs begins. These types seem to follow the |
| thinking about love and commitment, as it pertains to | | | | same pattern. They will act as though they are very |
| humans and to dogs. Love is a funny thing. The idea | | | | committed to their dogs and will be seemingly overly |
| of love is even funnier. Have you ever noticed how | | | | concerned about every aspect of the training. Upon |
| excited people get about a new romance? How | | | | leaving though we will generally never hear from |
| about a new puppy? The anticipation of a first date? | | | | them to ask about their dogs progress. They may |
| Finally picking up the puppy? All of the planning and | | | | even forget to pick the dog up at the end of the |
| preparation for the perfect date or the homecoming | | | | training, even with reminders. They will then find |
| of the new puppy. Those are wonderful feelings of | | | | reasons not to schedule or show up for lessons. |
| excitement and anticipation of what this new | | | | People often ask why they would bother. The |
| relationship might mean for years to come. | | | | reason is love of SELF not love for the dog. They |
| At some point in this adventure the newness will | | | | throw money at the problem in the hopes that IT will |
| eventually wear off. For some sooner, others later, | | | | be fixedand they won't have to bother with issues |
| but the reality of a commitment to another living | | | | related to the dog anymore. |
| being will soon become apparent. There is one glaring | | | | This reminds me of the guy who calls the girl and |
| difference between the commitment two people | | | | professes his love and devotion verbally but then is |
| make to one another and the one they make to a | | | | never around. The guy who never bothers to call and |
| new puppy or dog. People generally have time to get | | | | say "Happy Birthday" or "How Are You?" But then |
| to know one another before making a commitment | | | | suddenly calls when he's coming into town professing |
| or going their separate ways. In most cases the | | | | that he's always thinking about her. Bottom line here |
| human does not begin the relationship with the puppy | | | | is that actions speak louder than words when it |
| or dog until after they have taken ownership. | | | | comes to any relationship or commitment. |
| Like most things in life commitment boils down to | | | | Dog owners who gush "I love him so much" and then |
| taking responsibility "for better or for worse" and | | | | fail to provide proper housing, veterinary care, and |
| sticking by the relationship you have committed | | | | training, are the same as the guy who calls when he |
| yourself to. Unfortunately where dogs are concerned | | | | is in town trying to get lucky. It's all worthless babble |
| they don't have many options if the human opts out | | | | and a transparent attempt to impress and manipulate |
| of the commitment. Many dogs are cast aside for | | | | others. |
| reasons that could have been dealt with if only the | | | | Contrast this with the guy who wakes up in the |
| owner had enough commitment to seek the help of | | | | morning and makes the kids and YOU |
| a professional dog trainer. These poor dogs are cast | | | | breakfast.takes care of you when your sick and |
| aside like the forgotten toys of a child. The price | | | | looking aweful, and does the shopping because he |
| they often pay sadly, is being put down at the local | | | | knows you've had a hard day. Now that takes |
| shelter. So much for love. And commitment? | | | | commitment! Likewise the owner who takes the |
| You often get out of a relationship what you put | | | | puppy out for a potty break at 2am, cleans up the |
| into it. In our business many clients want to put their | | | | messes, and makes sure that he gets to all of his |
| dogs into an in kennel Boot Camp course so that | | | | veterinary appointments and training classes, is a |
| someone else can train the dog for them. This is all | | | | committed owner. |
| well and good for people who understand that this | | | | Commitment has its rewards as any couple who has |
| only fast tracks the training for them, but they still | | | | stayed together and raised a family will tell you. |
| have to commit to working with the dog afterwards. | | | | Commitment has its rewards as any dog owner who |
| For those that understand this and put in the time, it | | | | has gone from potty training through old age with a |
| works out well and is worth the extra expense in | | | | dog will tell you. It is easy to throw a relationship |
| order to facilitate their schedule. There are always | | | | away. It is much harder to keep one going. The |
| those however, that expect to be handed a remote | | | | rewards at the end of the day are many years of |
| control when our part of the commitment is over | | | | love, laughter, and memories that will last a lifetime! |