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The Importance of the Individual
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'I have had German Shepherds for over 30 years and never had a problem but I now have a Shepherd crossed with a Border Collie and it is the Collie half that is giving me problems!'. These were the words of a lady who wanted to know how she could make this dog like all of her others.
Having dogs is a great deal like having children your life. It is sometimes fr antic, balanced with the absolute joy of magic, quiet time together. However, as we all know, each child and dog are individuals with a personality that will affect their response to the information that they are given, the situation that they find themselves in and the reaction of those around them.
Whilst it is wonderful to share a trip to a theme park with all the children, just as it is a delight to be out for a walk with a family of dogs, we all benefit from time with the individual, as their likes, dislikes and needs do vary once we ensure that whenever we are with them they know that they can trust us to care for them.
Dogs, like children love that 'special time' with you and this can be created by calmly taking one dog from the pack to share some grooming time, play time or working time, just as we do with children and as long as we arrange the situation so that one dog or child is never left alone then everyone will gain from this time.
One of the other great outcomes of this is that we no longer have the experience of recalling one dog only to find that they all have the 'same name'. We let them be who they are and enable them to come together better able to make the right decisions for themselves and their family with confidence.
The lady with the half problem realised how her belief in the 'breed issue', where traditionally the breed of the dog was blamed for the difficulties, had led her to look in the wrong direction and so now liberated, she went on to bring harmony to her home once she adopted 'Amichien� Bonding'. She discovered for herself that this dog was more of a sensitive soul which made her a lovely companion. She didn't want to play with a ball but adores hide and seek.
Jan Fennell
12th October 2011
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