The 10 canine commandments

1. My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that when you buy me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me - it's cruicial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry at me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware of however you treat me, I'll never forget it.
7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hands, but that I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinant or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun or in the cold too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: 'I can't bear to watch it', 'let it happen in my absence' or 'I am tired of you'. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.

(Author unknown)

 

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Another, slightly different Version:

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Remember that before you buy me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.
3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalienable right.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment; I am not capable of understanding why. I only know I have been rejected. You have your work, entertainment, and friends, but I only have you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice and your tone. You only have to look at my tail.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it and if it's cruel, it may affect me forever.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak. It may be I am just dog-tired.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, regardless of what you do, I will always love you.  

(© Stan Rawlinson, 1993;

Permission granted by author.

Stan Rawlinson MTCBPT. MPAACT Adip.CCB

Doglistener

Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer

H 0208 979 2019

M 07976 153161

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The Professional Association of Applied Canine Trainers

http://www.paact.co.uk/)

 

(German translation here)