Good dogs do not require shock collars or toys or balls. They only need good handlers. It is good handlers that are firm but fair in their methods of communication. Good handlers have interest in the task at hand. They breed on ability of both stud and bitch, not on looks. They stand on the individual desires and performance, not on papers or pedigrees. Good dogs are never fed with poor ones; for poor ones are not fed, they are buried. Excuses or myths are simply used to give credibility to failure on the handler's part.

Dogs are dogs, just as people are people. Stay clear of those that confuse this fact of nature. Never let emotion dictate over logic or you will be part of the dog's destruction and man's foolishness.

Remember, being vigilant and disciplined is not being cruel. Being emotional and weak is cruelty in its most vain form. To breed good dogs, to be a good handler one must stand up and step up. The dogs are dying because so many are lying. The truth only hurts those that fear it. We need good dogs, we need good handlers. Let the whining begin, and it will begin as it always has.

This thing called sport began from real life work. The real tragedy is not in this truth but in the fact that real life work was forsaken for sport. This reverse of roles has not only brought about the rapid decline in good dogs, it has also resulted in the scarcity of good handlers. The reasons are obvious. It is because the worth of both is judged not by the work but by the sport. It is the sport and sport breeders who have replaced good breeding and handling with toys and balls and food. It is the norm to use these things in place of work and communication. Just like it is the norm for breeds, once strong, to have poor hips or weak brains.

You cannot let weakness be the dictator of what strength should be. It will, as it has and still does, provide only excuses for its own short comings. A path of nonsense leads only to nonsense with many failures along the way. In the real world there is no place for excuses, just cause for solutions.©Mike McConnery/Baden K-9, 04/06/06 If you have comments please email us using the form provided below: