There's a lot more to dogs than drives, instincts and reflexes. Contrary to popular belief, dogs have personalities with feelings and emotions, personal preferences, even superstitions. To simplify, a dog's behavior is an accumulation of the above, influenced by past experience or the lack there of.

Dogs can display such feelings as love, anger, loneliness, joy, excitement, grief, anticipation, depression, and many other emotions we can relate to. They can demonstrate these emotions through affection, howling, leaping, high pitched barking, loss of appetite, intense looks, submission, aggression, etc. To sum it up, dogs are complex social beings. Once we understand this it's a lot easier to live with a dog.

In general, dogs don't require much to survive; food, water and shelter. These are the bare necessities of life. But in order for him to be content he will require more. For a dog to be happy he needs a social life and a purpose for living. The modern domesticated dog (most all breeds included) desires 'employment'. All dogs are happier when given something to do, and someone appreciative to do it for. Be it protect the house, keep your feet warm, bring in the paper, or just sit when told, it is a dog's nature to be useful.

Commonly dogs are abandoned in back yards, suffering from isolation and neglect. Their owners, usually well meaning people, feel they are fulfilling their responsibility by feeding and cleaning up after him. Though they may have an attachment toward the dog, their relationship is based on little more than tolerance and obligation. Unfortunately, unaware of the many advantages of owning a dog they never really come to enjoy him. The dog, not knowing any better, is rude and obnoxious, jumping on them with dirty paws, completely void of social graces, creating a tornado when pushing his way into the house. When he does escape the back yard he shows little or no loyalty toward his distraught owners as they call him. Why would a dog voluntarily go back to solitary confinement?

My dogs and the dogs I have trained are such a blast. They have fun, (some times at my expense)! Most dogs have a good sense of humor. When taught house rules, they become an important part of our family. We don't just tolerate their presence, we look for them and want them to be around.

If you want a status symbol, something pretty to match the living room décor, or a killer beast to feed the ole' ego, buy a car, a chandelier, an alligator, but don't get a dog! You and the dog will be miserable! If you want a companion who will give you undying devotion, unconditional love, never tire of you or fight you for the channel changer, then you have some good reasons for getting a dog.

Copyright © Judy Guile
Visit Judy at www.aDogForYou.com