What Do You Do When You Don’t Like Your Dog?
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Sam Basso
PHOENIX , AZ AREA: (602) 708-4531
OR, if you are out of this area, inquire about a telephone or e-Lesson
Email: [email protected]
You are in a tough spot if you don’t like your dog.
I once owned a dog that I didn’t like. He was about a year old at the time, and he was extremely annoying. I was worn out with him.
So, I understand the feeling.
What do you do when you don’t like your dog?
Do You Like Dogs? Some people just don’t like dogs. The dog they have somehow made it into their home, possibly because someone else in the home got the dog for themselves. I never recommend getting a dog if everyone in the home isn’t in agreement. A dog knows when it isn’t liked by someone, and as a result, that will make the dog less obedient, friendly, and mannerly when that person is around. Then, that makes the person who doesn’t like dogs dislike that dog even more. It is a no-win situation for the dog. It is a dog and it can’t help being a dog. If you are already in this situation, then a discussion needs to be had regarding what is best for the dog and the family. It is immoral to just get rid of a dog without having some kind of humane plan for where that dog is going. Many shelters will kill most of the dogs they get this week. Innocent dogs. That is wrong, but that is the reality. If it is decided to keep the dog, then you should make the best of it, and try to get a good relationship going with the dog. That will make things go smoother.
Is Your Dog Well Trained? Dogs that aren’t trained, or are half trained, can be a total nuisance. Some can be miserable to be around. That’s what was going on with my dog. He wasn’t completely trained, and he was starting into adolescence, so he was being even more goofy and defiant than normal. I knew the source of my irritation: he wasn’t fully obedient or well mannered. So, I dug in and worked on all those behaviors even more. He had been a difficult puppy from the start. But, I was determined to work it all out. And I did. I trained all that goofy stuff out of him and turned him into a good dog. You really can’t expect to like a dog that isn’t well mannered… but hey, whose fault is that? It isn’t the dog. It is your fault. The dog isn’t going to train itself, and leaving it in the back yard isn’t training. Laziness, or being a cheapskate, isn’t going to make things get better.
What do you do, then? If you decide to keep the dog, then spend the effort and money to work out the dog’s issues. If you decide to find the dog a new home, make sure it is a good home that will spend the money and time to train the dog. Don’t abandon the dog to a shelter or some other situation that will mean abuse or death.
The Hard Truth: Feelings can change. You can go from not liking a dog to being madly in love with that dog. Usually, the problem is the people not training and managing the dog properly, because they are lazy cheapskates. Don’t be that kind of person.
Sam Basso is a professional dog trainer and behaviorist, in the Phoenix/ Scottsdale metropolitan area. He’s known for being fun, kind, intelligent, and humane. Sam Basso has a unique personal touch. He has appeared on his own TV show, been a guest radio expert, gives seminars, publishes a dog related blog, does rescue volunteering, and is active in promoting animal welfare and fair dog laws.
