A Welcome Dog

What makes a dog a welcome companion wherever he goes? How can owners help their dogs become welcome members of their families and the community, and a model of good canine behavior? What techniques do humane and successful trainers, like assistance and therapy dog trainers, use when working with dogs who will live their lives in very close partnership with a person? How can dogs navigate the increasingly complex human environment and remain their owner's beloved companion for life?

Many of my dog training friends, students, and fellow dog writers have joined me in addressing these issues, as have nationally known canine behaviorists. Answers that are as diverse as the dogs themselves swirl in and out of conversation, but we always seem to return to certain underpinnings of truth about the dog/owner relationship.

I hope you will enjoy reading snippets from these conversations, good ideas offered by novices and experts alike, and my own musings, that I will capture and share with you. It might get you thinking about the nature of your relationship with your dog and the truths contained therein, and encourage you to reflect on the experiences you've had with your dogs.

In my book, A Dog Who's Always Welcome (Howell Book House, 2008), I write in depth about the process of socializing a dog to prepare him to be your welcome companion. I hope that reading it will help you to imagine all that your relationship with your dog can be.