| From the time they were wolves, dogs were meant to | | | | job,with benefits! |
| work. Their job was to help man survive. They didn't sit | | | | Most dogs were not bred to sit around the house, in |
| around the cave, hut, or igloo all day, waiting for | | | | their beautiful coiffure, snacking on tasty, tiny, treats |
| handouts. They could run down prey faster. Their | | | | while watching the Animal Planet. They were bred to |
| teeth worked better than most hunting tools. They had | | | | serve and protect us! |
| a great instinct to hunt. What more could early man | | | | Find a job for your dog, and watch them thrive! |
| ask for. So he coached wolves to help with the hunts, | | | | Make your dog happier by making them feel important |
| and to protect them. They got paid with food, shelter, | | | | and needed. Teach them to: |
| and a pack with something very helpful to | | | | 1. Bring in the paper and mail |
| them...thumbs! It was a perfect team! | | | | 2. Help with the groceries |
| As wolves evolved into rather unattractive, nasty | | | | 3. Pick up that sock or towel you dropped when |
| smelling, fouled-tempered, unpredictable dogs; man | | | | lugging laundry |
| demonstrated his Alpha status, by putting them to use. | | | | 4. Get their bowl for you |
| They started with pulling carts and sleds. Then they | | | | 5. Drag the trash bag out |
| had jobs keeping fields, mills and barns free of rodents. | | | | 6. Bring you a tool or the hose |
| They were trained to guard temples, monasteries and | | | | 7. Push open a door |
| castles. Today, they still have some of those old jobs, | | | | 8. Find your keys! |
| and they plenty of new ones too. They have and still | | | | 9. Get your slippers, shoes, coat, gloves or hat. This |
| are trained for war! For centuries, they have found | | | | comes in real handy when whatever you are looking |
| survivors buried under avalanches and now collapsed | | | | for, is way under under the bed! |
| buildings. Their new jobs include sniffing out drugs, | | | | 10. Carry your stuff while on walks, and hikes...get them |
| contraband, lost children, cadavers and even cancer! | | | | a backpack! |
| You will find dogs guarding heavy equipment, airports, | | | | To get more from your dog, it only takes 4 basic |
| Federal buildings, not to mention junkyards. They are a | | | | commands, 2 of which they should already be familiar |
| vital part of law enforcement. They can still be found | | | | with: |
| herding and protecting livestock from their not so | | | | 1. Take |
| distant cousin, the wolf. They make hunting a much | | | | 2. Give |
| easier and safer sport for their human, by taking the | | | | 3. Push |
| majority of risks. | | | | 4. Find |
| They serve the blind, deaf and physically challenged, | | | | Keep it fun! Let them know how proud you are of |
| acting as their eyes, ears, and hands. As therapy dogs, | | | | them. Praise, praise, praise them when they do |
| they patiently sit and listen without making judgements, | | | | something right. That way they will associate it pleases |
| helping children with reading problems, learn to read. | | | | you, and they will do it again and again. |
| They put a smile on the face of shut-ins and nursing | | | | BOTTOM LINE: Try it. You will be amazed how quickly |
| home residents by offering Touch Therapy. They help | | | | they catch on, as well as how happy they are, to be |
| autistic children relate to something! They have a great | | | | of service! |