Train your dog to be a good citizen

Almost 30 years later, the American new wave band Devo’s new song about Seamus, ‘Don’t Roof Rack Me, Bro’ is hitting the charts, and as the US presidential race hots up, there are likely to be many more shaggy dog tales about this long-suffering family pet’s 1,050 km crated safari to Canada.
August 26, National Dog Day, is an opportunity to reward your canine companion with a special treat, such as a walk on the wild side of the Botanical Gardens, a trip to Ewanrigg, careful grooming and brushing, or a small packet of biltong. Anyone who has owned a dog will confirm that man’s best friend, unlike human companions, is capable of unconditional love and loyalty and can become an important member of every family.
Archaeological evidence points to a special bond existing for thousands of years between mankind and dogs. More recently, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick’s well-known tale ‘Jock of the Bushveld’, published in 1905, describes the true adventures and travels of Fitzpatrick, an ox-wagon transport rider, with Jock, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier born in the Kruger National Park.
The only dog ever officially enlisted in the Royal Navy was Just Nuisance, a Great Dane, who served at HMS Afrikander in Simons Town (35km outside Cape Town) from 1939 – 1944. He was promoted to the rank of Able Seaman to enable him to receive rations during the Second World War, and when he died in 1944, he was buried with full military honours.
If you own a dog, whether large or small, pedigreed or of many varieties, why not gather together a lead, collar, small toy and valid veterinary certificate and make your way next Sunday morning to Harare Kennel Club in Hampden Street, Belvedere. Experienced dog trainers offer obedience classes for puppies and adult dogs, while for owners of registered pedigreed dogs there is breed training, guaranteed to help handlers and dogs to excel in the show ring.
Last Sunday morning, an enthusiastic group of Toy Dogs  (Dachshunds, Toy Poms and Jack Russells) were going through their paces. Forming circles and lining up on command, marching and weaving to music, these talented tykes and their owners have put together a routine to entertain the aged in care homes such as Fairways, BS Leon Trust and Pleasant Ways.
Nearby an obedience class was in full swing, with dogs learning to  ‘stay’, to ‘come’ and to ‘sit ‘. Training opens a line of communication between you and your dog and helps your pet understand what you expect of him.
Training for the show ring, in which a dog is judged for its structure, temperament and movement, is also available. Judges are experts on the breeds they are judging, and go over each dog with their hands to see if teeth, muscles, coat and bones conform to the breed standard.
Whether you want your dog to be Best on Show, or simply to be a good citizen and to come when called, take him down to the Kennel Club next Sunday at 9am for an adventure in socialising and good behaviour.
 – For more info contact HKC member Ursula McKinley on 0772 336 055