Friends: I have decided to share with you My Life With Dogs. The Blogs taken from my book, 14000 Dogs Later, may be one page at a time, or more. I don’t want to dump too much on you at a time. I hope you enjoy. Feel free to make comments here, or on my Face Book or Twitter account. Best, John
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/johnprestonsmith
Twitter: @harlyman60
A note from the author
“The more people I meet the more I like my dog.” Unknown
Since 1963 I have trained over 14,000 dogs. All shapes and sizes. Some crazy, some not-so crazy. Some with minor problems, some meaner than a teased rattler. Some docile, some aggressive.
I’ve seen Dobbies that would snuggle across your lap as you watch the evening news, and Dauschunds that’d just as soon bite your ankle as take another breath.
I’ve worked with fence jumpers, fear and sneak biters, run-a-ways, car chasers, fighters, chicken killers, incessant barkers, boundary breakers, and dogs that would attack anything on two legs.
I’ve trained with traditional methods, with psychology, and hypnosis.
I’ve known dogs, without professional training, that would give their life for their master. And I’ve seen dogs come between their master and mistress in bed, during an argument, and during play-time.
I’ve trained dogs for the TV series Movin’ On, trained dogs to prevent break-ins at hotels, and trained them to protect Sisters of the Cloth. I’ve trained dogs for business security, for the disabled, and for personal protection.
I’ve seen dogs pine at the feet of a sick master, lie at the site of a buried friend, and refuse food until a lost litter-mate had been found.
Conversely, I’ve seen people spend thousands of dollars on a sick pet, talk to a dog as if it were human, and fix his every meal as if they were feeding the Pope.
Dogs are mate-substitutes, empty-nest substitutes, and child substitutes.
They are one of the reasons I believe in God. I’ve seen them do more for humans than humans do for humans. If the relationships, bonds, and friendships we have with others are our greatest assets, then too, a dog at our side is as immeasurable in value. They help us stave off loneliness, fear, and need. They protect us from physical and mental aggressors. They remind us that food, water, and shelter is really plenty for anyone to be happy.
Would you like to know the two commands you can give your dog that will solve 95 percent of all problems? What are the basics of obedience training? Have you ever heard of Fame Tame? What would you do if a crazed dog were going for your throat? How do you know what dog to purchase? Are you anthropomorphic with your dog? How do you know when to let go of a dying dog? What does Aristotle say about a dog’s soul? Who was ‘Old Drum’? What do dogs really want when they lick your lips? How do you test a dogs’ temperament? What do dogs think about? The following pages answer all of these questions…and more.
You may find this book wacky, wild, and weird…like Buddy, my Bouverie De Flanders, who hid behind trees when he relieved himself, or Trooper, a German Shepherd who always faced East when he pooped, or Doc, a Labrador who could yawn on command, or Runner, a Rat Terrier and the only dog I’ve ever known who could do pushups, or El Belle, a Border Collie who sneezes for treats…but, I promise you’ll find something in here that reminds you of days past and present with your pooch. I Hope you enjoy, John
PS: You may find duplication of some topics or discussions, i.e. dog bite, disposition, temperament, dog senses, sit, down, stay, lead training, and others. That is because some topics fall into various categories. However, new information is presented in each instance.
WHAT I’VE LEARNED (WIL): There are easily drawn parallels between dog and man. We share the fight against enemies and traitors, our charity for others is immeasurable, and we are quick to forgive those wishing us harm. We stand by our family and friends in prosperity and in failure…in sickness and in weakness…during happiness and loss. We deal with misfortune and danger to the best of our individual abilities.
We humans, though, have advantages…one of which is our memory, permitting us to revel in times past. We get to remember and relive those wonderful times with our friends and our dogs…but our dogs cannot.
The Bog 