Menu

Children's Corner

 

This part of our website is divided into sections designed to assist young animal lovers understand the needs of their pets and how to look after them.

Please read the Dogs Prayer below, it will help you understand the relationship between humans and dogs.

 

 

A Dog's Prayer by Beth Norman Harris.

 

 

"Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

 

 

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.

Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I might stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest --- and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands."

 

 

 

 UNDERSTANDING DOGS

 

 

 

 Where Dogs Come From

 

Well that’s maybe a good clue - yes, your dog is a cousin of the beautiful wolf. 　Many things dogs do are similar to behaviours we see in wolves. 　Knowing some of these things can help us understand our pets better.

Like humans dogs and wolves have families. 　For wolves and dogs these families are called packs. 　In dogs and wolves these packs there is always a leader and several followers. 　When a dog lives with you, in your house, your family becomes his family, or pack

It is important that you let your dog know who the leader is. 　If he doesn't know, he will try to become the leader. 　　When this happens a dog may appear to be pushy or disobedient. 　By teaching the dog obedience and keeping him occupied, he will realize that a human is the leader and he will follow, instead of lead.

When wolves hunt, they find food. The animals in the pack often fight over the food, pulling at it to be sure to get their fair share. Our pet dogs continue the same pulling and tugging behaviour when they play tug-o-war games.

 

 

 Like the wolf, a dog has a very strong sense of smell. He uses his nose to identify everything he comes in contact with. He can find his way using his nose. He can recognize people with his nose. He can even tell if animals or people are relaxed or afraid using that perceptive nose of his. Search and rescue dogs help find people in disasters by using their keen sense of smell. It is much stronger than ours.

You can use your dog's instinct to have fun with him. Some activities take advantage of a dog's natural abilities or instinct. Agility competitions, search and rescue, tracking, field trials, and hiking all allow your dog to use his instinct to have fun.

Like its wolf relatives, dogs sometimes howl and bark when they are left alone. It is a way for them to communicate with other dogs.

Does your dog ever dig, dig, dig at the carpet in your house? Instinct is a behaviour, ability or tendency that your dog is born with. Your dog is using instinct to make himself a bed. Your dog's ancestors had to dig up a nice soft area in the dirt to sleep in. Now your dog still thinks he is making a bed for himself.

 

 

 

 KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS

 

 

 

YOU CAN ALSO LEARN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR DOG BY RECOGNISING THE DIFFERENT POSTURES OR STANCES THEY TAKE.  THAT CAN OFTEN HELP YOU AVIOD  TROUBLE AND DIFFICULT SITUATION WHEN OUTSIDE THE HOME BUT ALSO REMEMBER THERE CAN BE OCCASIONS WHEN THE WARNING SIGNS ARE MEANT FOR YOU.

 

 

 

EXAMINE THE POSTURES SHOWN BELOW THEN WATCH IF YOU SEE ANY OF THEM IN YOUR PET.

 

 

 

 

 

This is an aggressive and defensive stance often seen on the approach of another dog.  Note the raised hair in the shoulder area.

 

 

 

 This is a totally defensive crouching stance saying if you come any nearer I could attack.

 

 This dog is stressed and frightened and could attack or behave in an unexpected way.

 

This is total submission saying 'I don't want trouble - you are the boss'

 

 

 

 This is a play full position - to other dogs it says 'come on and chase me' and to humans 'throw that ball to me'