Dear Old Trainer: I promised my three boys I would get them a dog when they were old enough to take care of one. They are now 7, 6 and 4, and they tell me, constantly, that it is time to keep my promise. I have never owned a dog, so I want one that will be easy to train and will be good with kids. A neighbor of mine mentioned the presa canario. Is that a good breed for my situation?
-- Willing Dad, Lodi
A: No. That is not only the wrong breed for your situation, Willing -- it is the worst you could possibly get.
The presa canario is a huge dog. Males weigh more than 100 pounds and are heavily muscled. They are strong-willed and require an experienced owner. They were originally bred for working livestock and are loyal and protective. But they are dominant animals that require extensive exercise and training on a constant basis. They are not for the first-time dog owner and they are not for an urban setting.
Sadly, the breed has been compromised in the U.S. by the same bunch of uneducated losers who have destroyed the reputation of the pit bull. They have suppressed the admirable qualities of the breed and emphasized the aggressive qualities. It was a presa canario that killed a woman in San Francisco a few years back and resulted in jail terms for the couple keeping the dog.
I commend your boys for hounding you -- no pun intended -- about keeping your promise. They are the ideal age for a dog. Take the boys to your local shelter and let them see the various sizes and shapes and talk to the people at the shelter. The boys can handle various breeds and play with them as long as they want.
Make sure you look at the Labs and golden retrievers, two breeds I always recommend for parents in your situation. Both breeds are good with kids and have the requisite energy level to keep up with three boys. They also have temperaments that make it easy for the first-time dog owner.
Dear Old Trainer: I took my Tibetan terrier, Chablis Blanc, to the dog park for her first visit the other day, and I was so embarrassed. She kept sniffing every dog and wouldn't quit even when I scolded her. How can I train her not to do that so I can take her back to the park?
-- Humiliated,
San Francisco
A: The Old Trainer knew this letter was going to be trouble as soon as he saw the name, Chablis Blanc.
Just kidding, Humiliated, a little Old Trainer humor.
Don't worry about training Chablis Blanc. She doesn't need it. This is merely a case of an owner trying to impose human standards on canine psychology. Chablis gleans more information -- and more reliable information -- about other dogs from her sniffing than a human can learn about another human in a week of conversation. With one sniff she can determine age, sex, health and a dozen other bits of useful knowledge.
This is standard canine behavior, as you might have deducted from the fact that none of the other dog owners objected to the sniffing. So don't bother scolding Chablis and don't try to change what is standard behavior.
Be proud of Chablis for knowing how to behave. The two of you will enjoy many memorable days at the dog park.
Send questions for The Old Trainer to theoldtrainer711@yahoo.com.
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