Chill-out time
is just as good for dogs as it is for us, but I am often surprised at how
little some people allow their animals. Their contention is that the
dog is in its kennel or bed for most of the day and night, and that is when
it relaxes, but I think they are missing something very important. It
is when the dog is out and about, scooping up scents and running free, that
it really has the chance to refresh its mind as well as its body. While
training is very important, I find it very sad when I hear about dogs that
are only ever taken out of their kennels either to work or train. Why
be so serious?
Yes, I train my dogs when I am out. It is a good way to install standards
while the dog does not realise it is being trained. But my dogs also
have plenty of pure liberty, where they can dig, run,scent-mark, play with
each other and generally behave like dogs. They include me in this,
running back with laughing faces to tell me about the splendid smells or ask
if I saw that squirrel. Later on the walk, when the cobwebs have been
blown away, they can "get fell in" and are more receptive to training for
having a total break.
Even when working dogs do a job they love, there is pressure put upon them
by us. Loving to please us, they try their best. How tiring this
is for them. Running about being daft is not going to ruin the dog,
so long as it waits for your command to do so, and comes back willingly to
hand when required. Fun and good behaviour are not mutually exclusive.
reprinted with kind permission from Alastair Balmain
Deputy Editor:Shooting Times &
Country Magazine
Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street SE1 0SU
Tel: 020 3148 4750
