The Animal Tragedy

I am always delighted when people, clients or just friends, ask me why I became involved in training dogs. I train at locations that are 50 to 80 miles away from my home which does not enhance profitability; in fact it is an ill thought out business decision. Our key business focus is operating 3 pet related businesses across the Panhandle that provide food for our table and some creature comforts for our family. What I can wholehearted say is that the time I spend with owners and their four legged family members is extremely rewarding on many levels.

I was reminded of this recently when I read an article in the New York Times about how quickly the dog training industry was growing. The bureau of labor statistics cited that in 2006, there were around 43,000 animal trainers and 50% of those worked with dogs. This number has almost tripled since 2000. Successful corporate executives are leaving the security of their expensive wooden desks to pursue passions only fulfilled by working with dogs and their owners.

I have always considered myself a passionate person, particularly in support of underdogs. Pardon the pun. I believe that being involved with dogs and their owners gives me a great release for this passion as such a large amount of my training is focused on helping owners train their dogs to be successful pets, in turn making them more responsible dog owners. This goal has been continually reinforced over the years as our company has become more and more involved with animal rescue organizations.

One of our companies has worked with rescue animals since 2000, and recently we became involved in managing a local humane society. When I walk along the shelter’s corridors and see doggie faces staring up at me, unable to tell their story, I can only wonder, had I or another trainer reached the owners first would their fate have been different. Manila folders hold the dog’s history with “reason for surrender” described as barking, jumping, sickness or, simply, the dog does not listen, sheds, is too much work or, “do not want anymore.” All of these behavioral issues, with a little patience, time commitment and a small financial investment, could be rectified. The other issues cited could have been avoided if more planning and careful consideration had been taken when choosing the family pet.

So, now do you get it? Why did I become involved in dog training? It is my small way of helping support well-intentioned dog owners communicate their expectations to their pets; to communicate across the species barrier and to train family-compatible behaviors so more of our canine community can enjoy the safety and security of their family forever. As our expectations for our pets increase, so do the numbers of homeless companion animals. The numbers of unwanted animals entering shelters nationwide last year was 6 to 8 million, 3-4 million of those animals were euthanized. The organization, “No Voice Unheard” describes this in human terms as “losing the entire population of Los Angeles every year.” My hope for the future, and the new year, is that rather than being asked, “Why did you get involved in training dogs?”, I’m asked, “What can I do to help?” So be heroic, adopt your next animal from a rescue group, and be committed to training your new family member once you bring your pet home. Be responsible and spay or neuter your pet so you do not contribute to the staggering number of unwanted animals. Care for your pet, vaccinate it regularly and be a community animal caregiver role model. Support your local shelter, this problem is too big for individuals and needs community support.