Learning Life Lessons from a Dog

Samson on 10-3-08
5 months, 5.5 lbs.
the day I got him

Perhaps this may sound strange to some – (I know 4 months ago it would have to me) but each day I get wiser and learn more valuable lessons about life through Samson, my recently acquired, miniature Long-haired Dachshund (see photo).

You see, being single, I’ve gotten way too accustomed to my own independent and selfish ways of doing things. Don’t get me wrong, I like to think that I’m a caring and generous person, but God is using my dog (of all things) to teach me valuable lessons about life, love and human nature. It may sound extreme and a bit crazy, but I’m finding that my premise is very true. Read on:

PROPER PLANNING LEADS TO SUCCESS!

Before I got Samson, I prepared myself, I planned. I searched the internet, reading as much as I could about the different breeds of dogs that were out there. Finally I decided on the miniature, long-haired Dachshund. I then went to the book store and bought a couple of books on Dachshunds and read them. You see, I needed to understand the breed before I took that initial step of getting a pet. Remember, knowledge is power. Furthermore, I wanted to make sure that I got the RIGHT dog for me – and boy did I ever! Read on and you’ll see why.

REGARDING FOOD – GARBAGE IN GARBAGE OUT

Like people, although most of us don’t seem to realize it, if I feed my dog bad stuff, he becomes irritable, irregular, hyper, unhealthy and is not as much fun to coexist with, especially in light of the “gas” issue that occurs. Believe me, you don’t want your dog sleeping under your work desk (his favorite spot) if he’s “hyper” inflated and skunked out. Furthermore, when eating unhealthy food, his coat becomes dry and starts to lack the usual luster. I suppose that my pet Samson has become my own little “experiment” in living, although I certainly never intended to use him in that fashion. Quite honestly, it’s my deepest desire for my pet to be as happy, healthy and well-mannered as possible – just as any of us would want the best for our children. Did I say “children”? Well, yes, I guess I do think of him as my “child”. Ok, so what lesson have I learned from this? – well, it’s one that I already knew, since I already work in the health and nutrition industry . . .

Watch What You Eat – Don’t Feed Your Dog Bad Food or He Will Get Sick!

GOOD & HAPPY DOGS HAVE A PROPER VALUE SYSTEM!

Samson
the Christmas Elf

“Spare the rod, spoil the dog!” No, I’m not talking about beating your dog (or your child for that matter), but just like humans, dogs need rules and discipline or they don’t learn. Well, let me rephrase that one. Dogs can and will learn without proper discipline, but they’ll most likely learn and do ALL of the WRONG THINGS that you don’t want them to do – poop and pee on the rug, chew up plants and furniture, bark at the wrong times, bite your visitors and ignore your commands. The truth is, dogs, just like people, need good values, discipline, morals – call it whatever you want. Just like children, if we let our pup run freely around the house without training, WATCH OUT! How many people raise their kids in a household with no rules? Or . . .

How many of us conduct our own lives WITH NO SET RULES, BOUNDARIES or VALUES?

The day before I went to pick up Samson at the breeder’s, I went to Petsmart and bought him a crate and a couple of doggie gates to protect him and my home from himself. You see, I would never have had the amazing pet I have today, had I not prepared and set up proper boundaries for him. Until he learned how to behave, he had to have a model using boundaries. This way, he had success from the start. Once he learned when and where to go potty and what NOT to chew on, his boundaries were removed. Now when he needs to go, he rings his bell at the door and goes outside. The amazing thing – I’ve only had him for three months!

Furthermore, I enrolled Samson in a training class at Petsmart – to train us BOTH in the ways of proper master/puppydom. That was an amazing thing too – six weeks of training – every Saturday for an hour, learning the right way to relate to one another. I learned how to get him to obey using positive reinforcement AND Samson learned how to be obedient while loving every minute of it. It was a win-win and something I would recommend to any pet owner. Without proper training, without the right rules to live by, instilled the right way, life becomes chaos. I was determined NOT to have this kind of chaos for the next 15 or so years that I have Samson as a pet.

What wisdom can you learn from this, other than having proper boundaries and training for yourself or your pet?

PAY THE PRICE NOW, TAKE THE TIME – REAP THE REWARDS FOR LIFE

Samson today
8 months, 8.5 lbs.

Three months of consistency, sometimes inconvenient training and setting up boundaries (with positive reinforcement) have already rewarded me with one super fantastic dog. Any person who meets Samson cannot help but love him – his outer beauty goes to the core of who he is. Yes, he’s cute and adorable to look at, but he’s also the most loving, cuddly and affectionate dog you’ll ever want to meet.

I chose Samson out of twelve or so other beautiful puppies. In my eyes, he was the cutest and the prettiest, but he also demonstrated a genuine loyalty and affection by the way that he came up to me when we first met. His demeanor aside, when I paid for him, I CHOSE to be loyal, love, respect and commit to his welfare for life. It was not a decision to be entered into lightly. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want it to sound like marriage or anything, but it was a big responsibility. The first month with him left me feeling a bit haggard and uncertain about my choice – not because he wasn’t cute or really that bad or anything, but because instilling good values and obedience in him meant hard work and commitment. The rewards are already apparent though in the love that he displays for me on a daily basis. As I type these words, the little squirt is curled up in my lap asleep – his number one place to be. I didn’t ask for it, I didn’t train that into him. He brought that on his own. It’s just one of many rewards that I enjoy on a daily basis.

I see that clearly in my dog. Now, how many of us need to get a pet to teach us these simple, yet complex lessons?

No related posts.