Doggone Etiquette—

Educating Rufus

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

If you’ve never been to dog school before, you might like to know that there are a couple of big differences in the way dogs go to school and the way the kids in your family do it. First of all, you won’t be told to wait at the end of your driveway, or the end of your street, in order to catch a ride in a school bus. What with the size and sound of the bus, you may think you lucked out on that one! But perhaps in the long run, dogs are the lucky ones because you don’t have to tote one of those backpacks the kids crouch under. Dogs don’t take books to school. You are only required to learn how to “read” your VIPerson. As for the backpack, that same special person will be the one doing the toting — a supply of water to give you a much-needed drink after your hard day at school, and maybe a treat.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

It’s not only time for the kids to be psyched up for the start of school. It’s also a good time for dog owners to give some serious thought to the education of Rufus no matter what form of scholastic achievement you may have in mind for your best friend. Not too many years ago a few weeks’ worth of obedience training was considered enough for both the owner’s needs and for average dog’s brain to cope with. Accomplishing the basics — “come, heel, down, sit and stay” — was apt to be the beginning and end of a dog’s education. That way of thinking is ancient history! Today, the basics are merely a first step in the right direction. It’s on to high school and college!            

Find out about, and give some thought to, all the things that are out there in the way of teaching, learning — and just plain interactive fun — for you and Rufus. It’s been a long, hot summer and not conducive to doing much of anything with or for our dogs, so now it’s time to start some serious planning. Assuming Rufus has been through that basic First Grade course of obedience, there’s a world of interesting, fun activities to get dogs involved in for the fall and winter, both indoors and out. The trainers who are in charge of these various courses will be glad to help guide you in choosing which one would best suit you, and more importantly, would be the right one for your Rufus.             

Regardless of the dog’s age, sex, or breed, you need to know your dog and understand what he is capable of and what his limits are, both mentally and physically. Rufus is overweight? So, ask his vet for a good diet. (And then stick to it!) He’s not good around smaller (or larger) dogs? Agility might be perfect since classes are broken down according to the dogs’ size. When you have all or most of this in order, then get more serious about what you might like to do next with Rufus. Keep in mind that those extended-learning (read: fun) activity classes fill up quickly.

No matter how, when, or from where he came, Rufus is now a member of your family, so do him the favor of looking into the right school and class for him this fall. It may be strictly fun for both of you, but he may completely surprise you by being a natural in agility, hunting, racing, or earning blue ribbons just for being a smart, very obedient dog. Above all, he’ll be a better-educated member of the family and one you can be proud of.

Until next time — BE GOOD!

—Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, including Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.