Weds 25th July: Give dogs credit where due

Dors
et has been waiting a long time now

I was thinking again about our sweet doberman girl Dorset and the fact that she was inexplicably still waiting for a home, and other dogs who have been overlooked while many have come and gone.   Tai Po Manager May explained to me that as Dorset was a breeder dog she isn't confident going for walks and probably isn't toilet trained either, but for everyone who has been asking about the Macau greyhounds and put off by the time and cost involved, Dorset would make a perfect replacement as a couch potato.  I imagine there's nothing she would enjoy more than snuggling on the sofa with a bowl of snacks and watching television with her family.

I think that Sparky would bond with one owner

I have also been surprised that little boy Sparky is still waiting, as the small-sized mixed breeds are usually quite popular.  Sparky isn't a cuddler like Dorset, at least not at the Homing Centre, and he isn't interested in playing with other dogs much, but he's not aggressive and he's full of life and loves his walks.  He would suit a home that is looking for a more independent character unlike the needy poodles, and I do believe that in a home environment he would become a great little dog.

Everyone knows my Murphy and his story, and that he was a little terror while staying at our Pokfulam Kennels, but he is an amazing character at home.  You just have to give some dogs the benefit of the doubt and understand that the reason they might seem to be difficult is that they have a hard time coping with living with a lot of other dogs, or without a human to bond with.

Griffin was another puppy labelled as being impossible and too difficult, but he's my funniest and sweetest Lamma dog

The most important thing to remember with any dog is that they are intelligent animals with emotions, individual traits and characters.  Living with so many dogs, as I do, I can see the huge variation in behaviour despite the fact that they have all grown up with me since being (un-homed) puppies and that they have all had the same food, environment and opportunities.  Dogs aren't robots that can be programmed, they are just as varied as humans in looks and character, and the mistake so many dog owners make is that they don't make allowances for this and expect their dogs to simply obey commands without thinking.  It drives me crazy to see people shouting "Sit!" at their dogs, or "No!" in a loud voice, as if the dog was deaf or stupid.  Just take a look at the many thousands of Facebook or YouTube videos of dogs showing just how amazingly smart they are.  It makes you realise how incredibly tolerant dogs are of our ignorant human behaviour.