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Dogs Are Our Best Friends and with Good Reason Why are there so many dog lovers out there? Dogs share our lives in a way that most other animals can't, and they're so commonplace that it's easy to take their faithful companionship for granted. The purpose of this article is to remind us of why we love dogs so much, to spare a few minutes and to spare a few words in praise of "man's best friend," the dog.?Dogs are friendly and they love human companionship. Whose ego would not be gratified at the sight of a happy dog who can't wait to greet you at the end of a hard day? Your dog waits for you by the door, face smiling, mouth open and tail wagging, ready to dote on you, his best friend in the world.Dogs are loyal and, as pack animals, they respond to the presence of a leader - you! Dogs are eager to please you in any way they can. When you're feeling blue your dog will remain by your side silently comforting you. When you're happy and excited, your dog will leap about you and share in your joy.?Dogs are playful. They love physical activity such as going for walks, fetching sticks, leaping into ponds, and racing wildly to and fro. Dogs will join you for a jog or for a day in the park or even for an exuberant game of frisbee. Yet dogs can also be soft and cuddly and ready at any time for a loving pat and a reassuring hug. They're affectionate and they're soothing to stroke, plus most dogs can also remain calm when necessary and be tolerant of small children who don't yet know how to be quiet or to behave gently around animals.Dogs can be trained so that they can easily cohabitate with us in our human-built dwellings. They can also be trusted to act appropriately around other people and in public. Dogs can learn to save nature's call for outdoor walks, to walk on a leash when on public roads where cars lurk, and to sit and to stay whenever and wherever necessary.The family dog is as much a part of daily life within a home as is any human household member. Our dogs are always there for us, day and night, sharing in every activity from breakfast time through a cozy evening spent watching TV. They can share both our indoor and many of our local outdoor activities, but that's not all. Dogs also play a big part in family life even when the family isn't at home. They can readily go places with us in cars, everywhere from a romp in the local park to a family vacation. Because they can travel with us, they can be a part of our lives in a way that most other companion animals can't. As dogs can participate in many of our most unusual experiences and outdoor adventures, they become forever associated with many of our most treasured memories.Dogs, in all of their various shapes and sizes, are also beautiful animals to admire and to look at. From their big beautiful eyes and lovely faces, to their soft, sleek, shiny coats, to the tips of their joyfully wagging tails, dogs are a pleasure to behold. With so many different breeds to choose from, everyone can choose the dog whose appearance most appeals to them, whether large or small, short or long-muzzled, short-haired or long-haired or curly or straight-haired, with a muscular build or a slim build, with an elegant face or a comical face, and in any number of colors.Each family can adopt the perfect dog to suit their taste and lifestyle by considering factors such as a dog's size and temperament. Does the family have a large fenced yard where a big dog can romp in safety, or a cramped apartment suitable for small dogs only ? Can the family pet care budget support a large dog with a large appetite ? Are there lots of flower beds that might be dug up and ruined by a breed such as a terrier ? Are there children in the house who require an extra gentle dog who'll tolerate the uninformed tail-pulling of a pre-schooler or the roughhousing of a ten year old ?Does the family have the time available to give a dog all the love, attention, exercise and play that he deserves, or will he be alone all day ? How about two dogs to keep each other company when the human members of the family aren't around ? Perhaps a loveable mutt or two would be the ideal choices ! The local dog shelter is likely to be harboring many abandoned dogs who are sad and lonely and desperately in need of a second chance to find true happiness with a loving family.Dogs give us the best of themselves: their love, loyalty, unconditional acceptance and affection, playfulness and companionship. In return, we owe them our best and the best care that we can give them, including a healthy, well-balanced diet, constant access to clean water and shelter from the hot sun or extreme cold, regular brushing and other grooming, ongoing veterinary care, plus annual vaccinations. Dogs should also be spayed or neutered, so that they do not contribute to the tragedy of the pet overpopulation problem.A safe environment is, of course, a must. Indoors, be sure that cleaning products, medications, houseplants and other potential poisons are kept safely out of reach. Upper floor windows need secure grills or screens if they are to be opened. Heavy objects must not be left where they might fall on and injure dogs. Outdoor yards need secure fences if there are roads with cars nearby. (Please don't chain dogs outside and deny them their freedom of movement.) Antifreeze and other poisons mustn't be allowed to leak where any animals might have access to them and try to drink them.A leash should be used for walks where traffic poses a threat to safety. Don't skimp on daily exercise and provide lots of opportunities to run around and play but, if a little dog has short legs, remember to slow down and not force him to overwork his little legs in trying to keep up with your larger stride. Don't force dogs to hurry past every tree when out for a walk, either. Sometimes dogs just need to sniff, so don't rush them too much.?Above all else, dogs deserve gentle handling and an abundance of our time and attention. Love can make a dog's world go round as much as love makes our world go round. When we give our love freely to our dogs, we receive their love in return. Dogs can truly be man's and woman's and children's best friends, and we should feel honored to be theirs, as well. Training Word ListGOODThis word is used to communicate with your dog that he has made the right choice. It is said with a pleasant tone, and sometimes accompanied by physical praise (treats or pats). When your dog hears this word, there should be no doubt in his mind that you are happy with him. Be genuine with your praise!NOThis may be the hardest word to use properly. When you use this word, the dog should NOT feel a sense of dread. Rather, it is used to let the dog know that he must THINK, as he has made the wrong choice. If he puts his mind in gear and pays attention to you, you will help him figure out what he can do to make you happy. It is in conjunction with this word that you are allowed to give the dog a correction. Please make sure you understand this concept completely before you work with your dog.OKAYOkay is the word that lets the dog know that she is done doing whatever you just asked her to do; the release. It is important for you to learn to use this word consistently, as it helps the dog understand the difference between one command and the next.RIGHT HEREAn informal version of the command “Heel”. When your dog is on leash, it is both the dog’s job and your job to make sure there is no tension on it. Most dogs do not seem to be bothered by a tight leash, even if it causes them constant pressure on their necks. This command means that you can walk with your dog not pulling on the leash and have their attention on you. If your dog does pull against the leash, simply use your “No” and say “Right Here.” Make sure that you are not the one guilty of tightening the lead, thus causing the dog to pull against it. This command does not require the dog to sit when you stop. It does require that the dog walk on a loose leash, at your left side, with his shoulder roughly aligned with your leg. This makes for a more controlled walk with your dog and should not be used the entire length of the walk.LET’S GOThis command is used when moving from a stationary position. It is a courtesy command, letting your dog know, “I’m moving, move with me.” The only rule for your dog in a “Let’s Go” is that the leash be kept loose at your pace. Once you have established your “Let’s Go”, you can say “Right Here” and get your dog into position.SITThis command is used to get your dog into a sit position. The hand signal for “Sit” is raising your hand, open and flat, palm up, over the dog’s head.DOWNThis command is used to get the dog into the laying down position. It is NOT used to make the dog get off of something. The hand signal for “Down” is moving your hand, palm down, towards the ground in front of the dog.OFFThis command means that the dog should get all four paws back on the ground, off of you, off of someone else, or off of the furniture. Remember, negative attention is still attention. Use your leash or your body to get your dog off of you, NOT your hands.WAITOften thought of as the most useful of the commands, this word means respect the boundary. It is used at doorways to let the dog know he must wait for permission to go through. It is also used when the dog is getting into or out of the car, and when you want your dog to wait in a certain area or room of the house. It does not require the dog to hold a position, such as “Sit” or “Down”. It only requires that the dog wait for your permission to cross over the boundary at which the “Wait” was given.STAYThis command is an absolute. The dog must stay in the spot and position he was placed in, regardless of what is going on around him. Praise includes both the dog’s position (usually sit or down) and the word “Stay”, e.g., “Good Sit-Stay!” You do NOT call your dog off of the “Stay” – you MUST return to the dog to release him, with a tap on the head given simultaneously with the word “Okay”.LEAVE-ITThis command is used when the dog is paying attention to anything you do not want him to. If there is food on the floor or on a table, if a cat or another dog has his attention, or if he is bothering another person, tell him to “Leave it”. Keep in mind that he may think that you only want him to disregard the object for the moment, and may return his attention to it shortly. If your goal is to get him to always leave something alone (i.e. the garbage), you will have to use this command many times under many conditions until he generalizes that you never want him to pay attention to what-ever it is.QUIETThis command simply means to stop barking.RUG and WAIT ON YOUR RUGThis command means the dog should go to his special, predesignated “reserved parking spot” in your house. It is your responsibility to first show your dog what his rug is, and ensure that the dog remains undisturbed when he gets there. Guests and children should not be allowed to pester the dog while he is on his rug, so the rug will be seen by your dog as a restful and desirable place to be. The dog is not required to hold a position, such as “Sit” or “Down” while he is on the rug. The command is “Wait”, so he must simply respect the E HEREWe use the command “Come” in conjunction with the word “Here” so it is said as “Come here!” This is the most fragile command most owners will ever attempt to use with their dog. It takes months to get this command properly conditioned, and it can be ruined in a matter of moments by a thoughtless act on the part of the owner. It is a word that needs to be reinforced many times a day. To reinforce it, it is important to understand what you are really asking the dog to do. To the dog, the word “Come” is not the process of getting to you – it is the end result of being with you. You can reinforce this word by simply petting your dog and telling him what a “Good Come Here!” it is when he is with you. That way, the dog hears the word in a positive format many times a day. If the only time the dog hears the word “Come “ is when you are yelling at him to stop doing something that he is enjoying doing (such as leaving the park), he will resent the command. “Come Here” must always have a positive association, especially when being introduced.YOUR DOG’S NAMEPlease use your dog’s name with respect, the same as you would like your own name used. His name is not a command – it is simply used as a courtesy to let the dog know you are talking to him.: My Unorthodox Dog and His Lessons of Love and Second ChancesPosted: 07/08/2013 4:33 pm EDT Updated: 09/07/2013 5:12 amEDTCosmo has the personality of a frat house brother who's big on Greek life. As a member of say, Alpha Delta Phi, he'd wear sunglasses at night, sport a toga and at the end of the night, he'd be the one smashing the beer can against his forehead. As the life of the party and true to his exuberant spirit, his entire body would wiggle and shimmer and oscillate. Cosmo is one entertaining pooch.On a hot June day on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Cosmo and I were making our way home from our veterinarian and his routine annual physical. Instead of us planning the next frat party, I was distressed and scared.Our vet found a nodule on Cosmo's spleen. I learned that splenic nodule aren't good for two reasons. First, they could be malignant, and splenic cancer in dogs can be highly metastatic. And second, even if they're benign, they could rupture and cause the dog to quickly die from an internal hemorrhage.So, we decided it best to operate and remove the spleen. While this organ does provide some helpful services to the body, dogs can live perfectly well without it. All of this conversation reminds me that I'd never make it as a vet. I'm more interested in being a good mother and an astute thought leader; I'd rather write big checks to my vet to keep m dog healthy.While explaining to my kids the rationale behind Cosmo's need for surgery, I couldn't help but reflect on this dog and his interesting, unique personality. Aside from being comical, he has many quirks that can be annoying and some just plain sad.As for the annoying, he gleefully destroys every last sock in my entire home. And what's worse, he can be highly obnoxious on-leash. New York City is home to something like 1.5 million dogs, although it seemed there are as many canines on the streets as people. I've decided there's a universal secret code -- a data processing of sorts -- that goes on in the brain of dogs. This must be how they decide how they'll respond to one dog vs. another.Sometimes Cosmo is fascinated with other dogs, usually the smaller ones. He smells them to gather critical data while waging his tail in delight. But with larger dogs, his data capture might transmit a non positive result and he can become a bit aggressive. This is my fault; he isn't well trained on-leash.This common behavioral problem is known as leash aggression. It's when well-behaved friendly dogs when on-leash, can switch from calm to Cujo in an instant. Their lunging, snarling, barking displays are often bluffs; leash-aggressive dogs rarely follow through with a bite.Nevertheless, it can be embarrassing and annoying to deal with. But he's old, and I'm not a dog whisperer, and well -- I just deal with it. I still love him. And heck, I sometimes get aggressive too; negotiating the masses of humanity on the crowded New York City streets is enough to make me want to take a bite out of someone on occasion. So, I can relate.Another annoying tradition of this dog is that when you least expect it, he'll steal your bagel. Yep, he'll clip it right out of your hand, and he's lightning fast. He's even more pleased if his snatched bagel is laced with a tasty cream cheese spread. I profusely apologize of course, and people don't seem to get all that offended. I know, I'm one of those disgraceful dog owners. But, I love my dog. To me -- he's obnoxious, unorthodox, but lovable still.Cosmo is afraid of everything. Thunder storms, packs of bicycles and the doormen on Central Park West that blow their whistles to hail cabs.He's terrified of whistles. When I take him and Bijou (my 10-year-old Vizsla, Cosmo's life partner and a stunning supermodel female who shares none of his weirdness or unbecoming behavior) to Central Park, he's so terrified to walk toward the whistles on Central Park West that h literally tries to drag me back to our apartment. People see him doing this on the street and appear puzzled, wondering what in the hell is with this dog. And then, they likely ponder what in the hell is with the owner of said dog. I'm used to the looks. I pay no attention.I've developed a few tricks to lure my pup toward Central Park and one he gets there, he's thrilled. Both dogs vault fences like deer; the passersby render their "Ohhhh's, Ahhhh's and Wooow's!" But eventually, the superstar stud Cosmo shrivels and shrinks again when it' time to leave the park to cross the dreaded Central Park West and head home. He pastes his tail down, stays low to the ground, and drags me home even while seemingly being choked to death by his collar.At some point, I might describe my darling dog as a crotchety old urban dweller that doesn't want to leave his block. And eventually, he likely won't want to leave his apartment building. Just perhaps to pee. Cosmo spends a lot of time worrying, but I'm not sure he knows what he's worried about. But, he is who he is. He's complex and funny and I love him dearly. "He's my guy, for better or for worse," says the naughty do owner. And yes, Cosmo and I -- we're the perfect duo for a series of dates with Cesar Millan.I picked up Cosmo the day following his splenectomy and was aghast a the size of his incision. He had been vertically cut across his shaved belly by 7-inches. I guess to access the spleen in a dog, there are a few other organs that are in the way, hence the grand scale of the incision.Upsetting. Apart from the horror of this massive incision, I noticed one end of the stitches was opening, albeit ever so slightly (note: intuition check followed by mistake #1 which I'll come back to later).He came home on pain meds in post-surgery mode on that Thursday afternoon, with the unfashionable eCollar orbiting his head. Cosmo was very unhappy. I was determined to be his personal bedside vet tech and mommy-of-the-year, committed to nursing my dear hound back to health.With the best of intentions and highest of hopes, things didn't progress well. By midnight Friday he was groaning, crying and wincing in pain. called the ER at the animal hospital here in Manhattan. It was two o'clock in the morning. The vet on call instructed me to increase his pain meds to try to get him to sleep. I did that, but it hardly worked. He bellowed and wailed all night. I was a frazzled wreck.First thing the next morning I called our vet and brought him in. His wound was oozy, angry and coming apart. My dog was a mess. Cosmo was quickly admitted back into the hospital and in short-order was prepped for immediate surgery. I was advised that his 7-inch incision would need to be fully re-opened; there was a nasty infection blazing through his insides.Cosmo had a staph infection that was raging through his subcutaneous all the way into his abdominal cavity into his pancreas, which was angered and inflamed. It was serious. Bacteria like this needs to be cultured and identified to determine proper antibiotic treatment. The doctor tried as best she could to clean him up inside, sample the bacteria, and sew him up again. We'd start two broad range antibiotics intravenously, await the results of the culture and go from there.I wasn't doing so well by this point. True, things become exacerbated with no sleep, but I was terrified that I might loose my dog. I was filled with the "what if s". What if the antibiotics of choice aren't sensitive to this infection? What if this unknown bacteria viscerally ravages my 55- pound dog while I sit home, helpless? My kids consoled me as I cried.All I could think of was how much I love this guy. I love him for all thejoy he brings to my family and me, and I especially love him for all of his quirks, his fears and even his shenanigans.Heavily medicated, Cosmo spent five days in the hospital. I visited hi daily and brought him his favorite food; he cried and whined the whole time. One miserable pooch he was. But slowly he came along, and with that, so did our huge relief and thanksgiving.My dog is home now, and after a couple of minor setbacks he's almost back to his old self. I haven't stopped telling him how much I love him, and how much he means to me and to our family, even given his idiosyncrasies -- stolen bagels, whistle fears and all. I believe all this love has helped him heal.I've learned a lot about love from both of my dogs. And they've enriched the lives of my kids wholeheartedly. It's a magical and unique experience to cherish our pets; they can teach us a great deal.We value a mate to such a great extent, in vivid technicolor, when we're faced with the real possibility of loosing them. Their quirks become even more lovable when that affection is true. Love becomes crystal clear and ever-present in moments of grave anticipation; love should never be taken for granted nor should it go unexpressed.A few morals to this story:"Ignore your intuition at your own peril." -Star Wars: The Clone WarsHave you ever ignored that tiny voice that's whispering in your ear,waving a red flag, urging you to ask a question, or to take a different path? When I originally picked up my dog at the hospital I noticed something ever so slightly curious on his incision. I chose to say nothing. He was being discharged, I assumed he must be good to go. Well, it turns out he wasn't. What I noticed was the very early signs of what was brewing. Things might have turned out very differently had I raised my hand at that moment.6916420999744000When was the last time you stopped what you were doing and expressed to someone held dear exactly how you felt about them, a if it were your last chance?Life tends to be too busy, too noisy. We get caught up in things that don't really matter, and as a result we miss precious opportunities to express our feelings. Second chances are a gift; a luxury we aren't always granted. Express your love to those held dear. Be specific. Make it known.Cosmo and me? We're resting now, and then we're headed out for a bagel ...Nancy Sherr is Founder and CEO of The Sherr Collective, a leadership and lifestyle company leading clients and stakeholders through strategic, creative, and disruptive engagements where outcomes of innovation and growth are exponential. A motivator, speaker, and celebrated author, she is also creator of A Zestful Life? and the Society for Zestful Living group program. Sign up to get Nancy's free five-part eCourse: A Practical Crash Course in Navigating Life's Biggest Challenges. ................
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