Teach children at an early age the responsibilities involved with owning a dog… Talley (Talleyrand), a handsome black Standard Poodle, was my dog, so I should be the one participating in the class, my mother had told me. This wasn’t put to me as a chore– nor did I feel like it was my punishment for wanting a dog. My mother had taught me at an early age to love all animals – and that having a dog in my life meant caring for and training it.
Talley with my dad. Talley was his favorite dog...
Children learn by the examples we set … Growing up, we had a house full of animals… at one point in time, we had 2 dogs, 3 cats, 1 large white rabbit, 2 birds – a canary and a parakeet, and 2 white mice. For a family living in the suburbs, this was considered a small zoo. As a very young child, I’d watch my mother feeding and caring for this troop. She’d have me assist with the care – and I loved every minute of it. Not considered work – just part of what it meant to have these animals with us to love and enjoy. And, of course, with a dog, training is involved – and I just couldn’t wait to get to class. Eventually, when we got our second dog, Cy (Cyrano de Bergerac), my mother handled one dog in class and I the other. What fun we all had together. And – that meant practicing between classes…. all part of Living and Working with animals.
Through my mother’s example, I developed a lifelong love for dogs. If you – and your child – want a dog, don’t miss out on the wonderful opportunities this presents.
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