A Dog is a Dog - Responsible Dog Ownership

Watching one of our own Collies stalking crows in a field near us you could be forgiven for thinking you were watching a Lioness stalking a Gazelle in a David Attenborough documentary. As he flattened himself to the floor and inched closer it was easy to see his predatory instincts at work, even if he never catches his prey and comes back wagging his tail, looking mightily pleased with himself.

At Animal Assistance we walk two Chihuahuas. There's no getting away from it, they are incredibly cute. Yet see them with the other dogs in the group we walk and you are left in no doubt that they are absolutely dogs, as they hold their own and put the other dogs in their place.

The point is, and a point that people often forget, dogs are at heart predators with the equipment and instincts of predators.

Today on the news was a report of another tragedy involving a dog. Doubtless there will be a resurgence of debate about dangerous breeds and dog control legislation, yet the proper response is to realise it's often not about the dog.

We promote responsible dog ownership and expect the dogs we walk to have the basics of good behaviour. We work with our customers to make sure their dogs have the groundings of training they need to be well socialised and well behaved.

In light of the most recent tragedy there is good advice about dog behaviour available on line, but we recommend dog training for any dog owner.

In our own areas of Oldham and Tameside we've worked with a number of dog trainers and training organisations including Rachel Bean, Northern Alsatian and All Breeds Training Society and On Track Dog Training School.