How Not To Treat Your Dog (Part Two)
One day I was fishing just in front of this house when the boy came out with his dog. He then proceeded to tease the poor animal mercilessly. Grabbing a big stick, he'd call the dog and immediately wave the stick from side to side on the ground in front of him. The dog came racing over to 'attack' the stick. At the last moment the boy would lift the stick into the air, whisking it out of the dog's reach. He'd then wave it back and forth above the dog's head, getting him repeatedly to leap into the air for it, each time whisking it away before the dog could actually connect with it. And all the while he kept calling the dog's name over and over, egging him on with an excitable tone of voice. The poor dog was getting hysterical, working itself up into an absolute frenzy. Remember what I said about terriers in How Not To Treat Your Dog? They're genetically pre-programmed not to give up, but instead to give it all they've got, even when they're hopelessly outmatched. And this jack russell was doing exactly that. He was wearing himself into a state of absolute exhaustion, and all the while his tormentor could do nothing but laugh. At first I'd tried to ignore it, telling myself it was
none of my business. But eventually I could stand it no
more and, putting down my fishing rod, I went over and
told the boy to stop. Although he did so the look on his
face told me his thoughts loud and clear - It's a sweeping statement I know, but young boys do seem to have a certain pre-disposition towards teasing dogs. Ripple, my Chesapeake Bay retriever bitch, was fiercely protective of house and family. When I couldn't keep an eye on her I sometimes used to leave her in a kennel by the back door. One day, hearing her making an almighty racket, I went out to investigate and discovered a local lad deliberately baiting her. He was running up and down in front of the kennel and rattling the wire mesh of the run with a stick. Ripple was absolutely incensed and the boy was taking an obvious delight in winding her up still further. Needless to say when I suggested evening the odds a bit by opening the kennel door the lad beat a hasty retreat! I'm not suggesting for a moment you might be guilty of teasing your dog, but please think about your actions to be certain you haven't done so inadvertantly. And if your dog ever comes into contact with children, whether your own or somebody else's, please make certain they understand the importance of not teasing the dog. Not only is it grossly unfair on the dog but it could potentially end in tragedy; if the dog gets wound up too far it's not impossible that it might end up turning on its tormentor. Recommended reading - "Dog Training Blueprint To Success".
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