Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
January is National Train Your Dog Month
by Florence Scarinci
I have a rescue dog, Coach. His story illustrates why early training is so important that the American Kennel Club has designated a month to encourage it.
Coach is a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi. His mother, Lilith, came from a responsible breeder, who tested her dogs for the congenital defects to which the breed is prone. Lilith's parents were champions, shown across the country and invited to the Westminster Kennel Club show. Although Lilith was a beautiful dog with a sweet temperament, she carried a gene for a congenital defect. The reputable breeder insisted on a spay clause in the purchase contract. However, Lilith's buyer wanted to recoup the purchase price of this very good looking dog with an impeccable pedigree, and found an owner of a male corgi willing to overlook the contract restrictions for a stud fee. Coach was the product of that breeding and Coach inherited the defect, not a fatal one, but one which would require veterinary care throughout his life.
At eight weeks old, Coach was sold to a couple that didn't do their homework regarding breed selection. Like all puppies, corgi puppies are very cute, almost irresistible. The couple fell in love with Coach's good looks. They saw his little legs and figured he would be a docile house pet. They didn't know that corgis are not "little" dogs. Oh, they are short, but they are dogs from the herding group and like other members of that group, they are highly intelligent and very energetic so they need to exercise their mind and body regularly. They are not couch potatoes or accessories. These people taught Coach nothing, not even sit. So when he eliminated in inappropriate places, stole and chewed socks, and wouldn't come when called, they thought he was a bad dog.
Sometime around seven or eight months, dogs go through adolescence when they seem to forget everything they ever knew. Since Coach knew nothing, there was nothing to forget. His behavior was uncontrollable and intolerable. He ran away when called. He guarded his toys and his food bowl. He jumped on visitors. He even peed on the couple's bed-the proverbial last straw! At that point these people did the only right thing anyone had ever done for him up until then: they surrendered him to Corgi Rescue. Since I had experience with corgis and was looking for a young male dog that might excel at agility, a match was made. Had Coach been given over to a municipal shelter, this "wild child" might have been euthanized within a few days.
Instead today, many hours of classes in obedience, rally, and agility, miles of long walks, hundreds of games of fetch, and thousands of tennis balls later, Coach has advanced titles in rally, masters titles in agility, an AKC Canine Good Citizen award, a Pembroke Herding Certificate, and most importantly, he is a registered therapy dog with the Delta Society which certifies all of Bideawee therapy dogs. Every week in a local elementary school, he helps reluctant readers gain proficiency in reading. He is the poster pup for what structure, consistency, discipline, and positive reinforcement can do for a rescue dog. He is living proof of why early training is of paramount importance.
Thinking of getting a pound puppy or a rescue dog? Please remember Coach's story and don't forget to sign up for obedience lessons. Life will be more pleasant for both of you. Contact the Bideawee nearest you for information on group and individual training offer through Bideawee U by calling 866-262-8133.
Holiday Gift
Four-legged Alarm Clock
Meet Fran Kravitz
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month
The Person Behind The Volunteers
The Grandkitty Grows
Can a Racing Dog become a Therapy Dog?
My New Grandkitty
Dog's Lives are Too Short. Their Only Fault Really
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Pet Therapy in the Classroom
Mothers and Daughters Bonding Through Bideawee
Sixth Sense
The Content of Her Character
All in a Day's Work
Size Does Not Count---or Pocket Pets as Therapy Animals
ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH PET THERAPY
READING TO DOGS - IT WORKS!!!
BAW SENIOR DOG FOR A SENIOR
PET THERAPY - NOT JUST FOR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS ANYMORE
BIDEAWEE: A NEW VERSION OF READING TO DOGS
AN UNSCHEDULED THERAPY DOG VISIT
BIDEAWEE DOGS and CATS GO GREEN
BAD ECONOMY BAD FOR DOGS AND CATS
LIFE GOES ON: Bideawee's Pet Loss Support Group
A Therapy Dog at College Teaches Important Lessons
Part 2: ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges
ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges
The Cat Who Changed My Life
The Lonely Cat's Best Friends
Therapy Benefits: What's In It for Me?
