leashing dogs
Mr. Dorman’s article on the rattlesnake aversion-training program for dogs was well written and it appears that Mr. Callaghan cares about the animals he trains. However, there is another solution for rattlesnake avoidance that is much easier and does not involve electric shock therapy. There are additional benefits to your dog from using leashes.
When dog/human dyads are partnered via leashes, the dogs: Are highly unlikely to get kicked by horses; get less ticks and fleas; are less likely to get bitten by rabid wild animals; are not ambushed and bitten, mauled or killed by coyotes; are less likely to get in fights with other dogs.
Last week, in front of the wonderful Water Lily Cafe up in Topanga, a nice lady had two dogs, one of which was an enormous black dog looking vaguely Rottweilerish. He seemed to have the temperament of a large teddy bear. We were chatting with him sitting at her feet. Suddenly, he lunged, barking and growling into the realtor’s office where a woman abruptly turned to shield her very small toddler girl from the suddenly angry dog. A leash is a beautiful mechanism for avoiding that kind of unnecessary emotional trauma, which has the potential to turn into a terrible event.
When dog/human dyads are partnered via leashes, the dogs: Do not frighten small children…or adults; do not bite small children…or adults; do not form packs with other dogs, creating real potential for menace; do not go after other people’s dogs; do not run through poison oak, bringing home the poisonous oils.
Remember that there is so little wild habitat left in Los Angeles County; we are incredibly lucky that so much of Malibu remains open space. Leashes bring priceless benefits to the wilderness. Loose dogs may wander off property but continue to act in a territorial fashion, making it unnerving or even dangerous to walk down many streets in the mountains. I want to point out that I love dogs. Houdini, if you are reading this, you are the best!
Melina Watts