SPORKS

Sporks! What's a Spork? You know what it is, you've seen them before. It is that eating utensil that really is not a fork, nor is it really a spoon. So, it cannot be used fully as a fork, nor fully as a spoon. Now, you are probably thinking to yourself, "What the heck does a Spork have to do with dogs?" Let me explain.

In the past few years, as technology has increased, I've come across many similar devices. Things changed so as to be better. For example, someone redesigned my favorite chainsaw a while ago. They made it so that a person could easily and quickly adjust the chain tension. A good idea on paper, but... I no longer use my favorite chainsaw because of this "improvement."
New toilets are designed to save water. Someone explain to me how we are saving water when we have to flush two, or sometimes three times, to get things down. Look around you, you will find many Sporks. Our education system has given us new Math, new Reading and new Writing. Again, someone explain to me why our children's test scores are far worse than what they used to be. Where is the improvement? I am all for improving something, but if it does not work, go back to what did work.

So, what does a Spork have to do with dogs? Everything. First off, let me say this. Dogs have not changed. Dogs have always been dogs and dogs will always be dogs. People have changed. There are alot of human Sporks walking around town right now.

Down through the ages, those who have actually worked dogs have developed ways to train, communicate with and breed these working dogs. The field was the test and the dog was the proof. If something worked, they used it. If not, they didn't. If they tried something new and it did not give them the intended results... they would not hesitate to stop the "new" thing. Pride was not the issue. The work was. The dog was.

Today we have multitudes of educated, smart people that have come up with new ways to train man's best friend. They have gone to school and studied for years, learning all of the new scientific ways to better train your dog. They have written book after book, study after study. They have come up with many new "Sporks" in order to better train our dogs. They are really proud of themselves. Everybody tells them so.

Someone tell me why then, do we have so many poorly trained dogs all over the place? Why are there so many accidental bites? Where are the true working dogs? Why are so many police K9's put down? Why are dogs getting physically injured while doing simple work?

I'll tell you why...People are idiots! They are like sheep, they blindly follow the crowd. If the majority of people are doing something, right or wrong, they follow along. They spend much more time in front of a computer or reading a book about dogs, than actually working their dogs. They are not out in the field or street where the true learning takes place.

I've met many dog trainers in my days, and in my opinion, the best, true "dogmen" were always
mavericks. They never went with the crowd, unless the crowd was right. They were only concerned with what actually worked. They were not afraid for one moment of being ridiculed, talked about or labeled. They were always out there doing, instead of talking about doing. They were not afraid to make mistakes because they knew that they would learn from those mistakes. They listened more to those with worn B.D.U.'s and calloused hands, than those in suits with soft hands. It was simple to them; Spend time with your dog to learn about your dog.

It is not what we say that matters...It's what "Truly is" that matters. Listen to everyone, but prove it on the field, in the street, in the smoke of battle and in your dog. Do what works.

Inner Attitude

This a subject, that in my opinion, is essential to understand about dog training, effective dog training, that is. It is most assuredly the cornerstone in you, as a dog handler. How you think about dogs and the way that you interact with them is your greatest asset in training; or it can be your greatest hindrance. This "inner-attitude" is how you truly view the human/dog bond.

To keep things simple, let's divide up the handlers into three seperate groups. First, you have those who attach many human emotions and feelings to their dogs. They refer to them as their "babies" and really mean it. They dress them up in sweaters and various outfits and throw them lavish doggie birthday parties. They will spend hundreds of dollars on their dogs and you need a crow bar to pry a penny from them for a hugnry child.

The next group are those on the opposite end of the scale. They have a dog, but hardly acknowledge it's existence. They won't spend one minute in training, yet will expect a perfectly well trained dog. They will constantly beat and hit that dog when he does not live up to their expectations. Their hands are cruel and their hearts are cold. They don't even care about or give the basic necessities of food, water, shelter and love.

The middle group is where I believe the good dog handlers to be - the only place where any real, lasting, effective training takes place. These people view dogs as God intended dogs to be viewed... as dogs. They are not cruel to their dogs, nor do they baby them. They love their dogs, but love their children more. They are not afraid to physically correct their dogs when justified. They have their dog's best interests at heart. Because of that they have well-trained, obedient dogs that will gladly work for them all day long.

Now each of these groups of people have different "inner-attitudes" toward their dogs, resulting in greatly varied interactions between dog and handler. Which group are you in? Do you bribe your dog and make excuses when they bite the neighbors child? Do you kick and hit your dog for simply being a dog? Or do you spend time with your dog daily and seek out others with knowledge in how to properly train dogs? Are you afraid to change your attitude when you realize your methods or way of thinking were incorrect? Do you enjoy those moments when you and your dog advance together in training? Are you getting the most out of your dog by having a healthy "inner-attitude" regarding your dog?

Remember: It is not what you appear to be...
nor is it what you say you are...
You are...what you truly are.

Treat your dog as a dog, allow him to be a dog and both you and your dog can progress together in your training.

But, of course, this is only my opinion...