Dear Editor,
We have to face the fact that dogs mirror their owners' behaviour. A calm, gentle and controlled owner usually reflects a calm, happy and disciplined dog.
It is therefore vital that an educational programme be set up to teach dog owners how to manage their pets.
I strongly recommend that pet owners refer to dog trainer Cesar Marin who appears on the Animal Planet Channel and who has a number of excellent publications on the market. His slogan is: "I train owners and rehabilitate dogs." He can also be found on the internet.
There are many people in Jamaica (some in "high" places) who think that starving or being cruel to a dog "makes him a good watchdog". Of course, the very opposite is true. We need to shelve those old wives’ tales and start to understand the following: a dog can be an excellent watchdog, and a loving, well-behaved companion only if we treat that dog kindly, train him gently, but firmly, and feed him well. His loyalty, service and protection will be lifelong if we follow these practices.
It is amazing how even so-called "educated" or "big men" and women have no idea how to properly treat or care for an animal.
It is all part of what is wrong with our society.
Marguerite Gauron
hmgauron@gmail.com
We have to face the fact that dogs mirror their owners' behaviour. A calm, gentle and controlled owner usually reflects a calm, happy and disciplined dog.
It is therefore vital that an educational programme be set up to teach dog owners how to manage their pets.
I strongly recommend that pet owners refer to dog trainer Cesar Marin who appears on the Animal Planet Channel and who has a number of excellent publications on the market. His slogan is: "I train owners and rehabilitate dogs." He can also be found on the internet.
There are many people in Jamaica (some in "high" places) who think that starving or being cruel to a dog "makes him a good watchdog". Of course, the very opposite is true. We need to shelve those old wives’ tales and start to understand the following: a dog can be an excellent watchdog, and a loving, well-behaved companion only if we treat that dog kindly, train him gently, but firmly, and feed him well. His loyalty, service and protection will be lifelong if we follow these practices.
It is amazing how even so-called "educated" or "big men" and women have no idea how to properly treat or care for an animal.
It is all part of what is wrong with our society.
Marguerite Gauron
hmgauron@gmail.com