The All Important Pack Walk

So is it just me or does anyone else think it’s pretty cool when a 3.5 year old can control a lunging Rottweiler who wants to go after some monkeys? Or a 6 year old who can walk two dogs at once, one on each side, down busy roads, past people, chickens, loose barking dogs and goats? This evening each kid had a dog and we walked past a big group of “man boys” (upper teens/lower 20’s) who had a lunging dog on a leash (whose name just happened to be Cesar!!). Let me tell you, my two little Pack Leaders had more control of their dogs than the big group of happy man boys! Our dogs stayed under control and no fights ensued. Which was a good thing because ours would have whipped the other dogs butt… ;)

And that makes me very proud. Proud because my children are out walking their dogs every day. They are learning about not only exercising their dogs and keeping them healthy and happy, but doing the same for themselves. We walk for about 30 to 45 minutes everyday and let me tell you, we’re not dawdling, we’re marching! There is no whining or complaining and if we have to wait for somebody it’s not for long.

I’m proud because the kids are learning about taking responsibility for their animals/property. Obviously I love dogs. I don’t necessarily care if my kids ever love dogs but I do want them to learn to take the absolute best care of whatever they own and to be good stewards of what God has given them.

I’m proud because my kids are practicing being calm and assertive every single day while on our Pack Walk. They are not mean to the dogs, do not jerk on the choker chains or strangle the dogs into submission. But neither do they let the dogs drag them hither and yon, sniff and pee at will, or lunge at people. They’ve learned when to give correction and how to give it. Not bad when the dog you’re controlling is as big as you are and has you out legged!

It almost makes me tear up when I see little Frankie, who has suffered so long from Post Traumatic Stress and feelings of helpless worthlessness, marching confidently along with his little Rottweiler (dog of choice since she’s the slowest ;) or Sanyu or Bridger, past monkey’s and other dogs. You’re not helpless anymore if you can handle dogs who are as big as you are!

So, it is more than just about walking our dogs. Cesar M*llan is right – a Pack Walk is important! But he never mentioned that it was just as important for KIDS as it was for dogs!

There is so much to teach your kid from owning a dog. I don’t know how parents can raise their kids without one! Or, um, five or six…. ;)

And Pack Walks do puppies quite a bit of good too!