The Value Of Dog/s: Part three

 

FThis is the third and final part of the value of dogs: 

Strong sense of hearing and smell: Dog's can smell over 100,000 to one million times better that humans and they can hear far beyond the capability of humans. Hence they can detect things far outside human capacities. For example, when we lived in the mountains of S. Colorado, at 9,800' feet elevation our dogs would alert us to threats from wildlife outside before we would see or hear them. 

When their superior hearing and smell senses are combined with their protective nature for their family it is a protection system that is second to none other. This leads into the next topic that is intelligence.

Intelligence: We tend to favor the German Shepherd Dog breed who are noted for their intelligence. When we have neighbors' friends, workmen or family come to visit our dogs instinctively know friend or foe. When they are friend, they will check them out and go lay down after greetings. When they don't trust the person, they will stay in the room with the people often laying at our feet or in near proximity to us. 

We pay close attention to our fur family for nuances we may not recognize ourselves. They are usually spot on when it comes to evaluating people and it would be totally negligent to not pay attention to them and their instinct. I can't emphasize their intelligence enough. 

Trainability: Dogs are easily trained but only if trained in a proper manner. There are many methods available but over the years and 13 dogs we have developed a method that I have used over the years. Dogs want to please us and we use that trait to train them. Sometimes a  non-threating word administered in love is better than a physical rebuke. I have taught one of our dogs to look right and left before crossing a street or alley. 

I have taught our dogs to tell time by looking at a wall clock. Some dogs can learn up to 250 words or symbols. We talk to our dogs all the time and they have a rather large understanding.  Our neighbors in Colorado referred to our German Shepherd Ben as Dr. Ben. We are very much in tune with our dogs. 

Happiness and Sense of Adventure: Dogs are generally happy and love to play and go on adventures with their family. they love hikes, camping, car trips, boating trips and adventures new. When dogs are happy it is easy to see as they not only smile but their entire body reflects their happiness'. In turn they make us happy too.