Train your dog for its own good

LUDHIANA: A dog picking up the newspaper every morning or carrying a shopping basket sure makes for pretty pictures. But dog trainers in the city are trying hard to convince pet lovers that there is more to it than just making idyllic Hollywood scenes.
Dog trainer Harish Jassal is categorical that training is very important for both the pet and the owner."Dogs are like kids and they have to be trained in the same way with all care.
Those who think that pets learn on their own and don't need any training might end up making their dog a spoilt brat and some times even cause violent tendencies,'' said Jassal. He added that it requires an understanding of the pet's behaviour, needs, signals and language.
"Dog breeds as dangerous as pit bull can be trusted to move freely with children once they are trained properly. When one starts training a dog, he realizes that it communicates to you and this is what an owner has to learn to become a real parent of the pet,'' said Jassal.
A renowned veterinary doctor based in Sarabha Nagar agreed that dogs are like children who don't know the difference between good and bad. "Dog training is essential and so is socialization though we do not have this concept here. Socialization is a process where dogs are made to be around other dogs,'' he said, adding that it's difficult to train a dog oneself so a professional trainer can be of great help.
Dr Ravinder Mohan Bhardwaj, another vet in Model Town and a co-opted member of Animal Welfare Board of India said, "Dog training is as essential as teaching your kid to behave and interact with others. In terms of training, the owner has a social responsibility that the pet does not misbehave.''