Thursday, May 14, 2015

My first time meeting a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Being a dog trainer is my calling in life. Recently, I was visiting friends and I got to know these two dogs. They are litter mates named Jewel and Hunter. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a very sturdy breed. These dogs originated in Africa. They were breed to not be aggressive, but to help the hunter distract the lion in the wild. These dogs are easily trained, and above-average in intelligence. Because of their innate ability to protect the family. A Ridgeback should not be trained as a guard dog. A Rhodesian Ridgeback is loving, loyal, smart, clean and easy to maintain.

I noticed right away upon meeting these two dogs that they were sad. These dogs are extremely sensitive to what is going on around them. Upon speaking further with their owner, I found that she spends, days on end sick in bed with illnesses. Both Jewel and Hunter pick up on this weakness and are sad. The first day I started working with the male (Hunter) I came into the room with too much animation for this dog, Hunter took his mouth and placed it gently on my forearm just to let me know too much intensity and to dial it back. We regrouped, and I showed the owner how to do clicker training to get the dogs mentally stimulated when you can't give them the physical stimulation that the need.

In the next few weeks, I will do more training with the owner and both the dogs to bring them to the next level. Pictured below is the female (Jewel) which I did not know while I was visiting was that she was in pain due to a slip disc, the dogs are ten years old.  I recommended that the owner take the dog to water therapy. These owners love their dogs and they will do what is needed to make this dog comfortable. They started Jewel on anti inflamatory meds, fatty acids, glucosamine, MSM & Chondroitin. They spare no expense in feeding special food for these dogs. If all dog owners were as devoted to their dogs as these owners are, the world would be filled with happy dogs.

Shortly after my visit Jewel one day could not walk and 2 days later she died.  On hearing this sad news my thought were on Hunter her brother. He is being cared for with love and kindness. Jewel was a very sweet dog.


No comments:

Post a Comment