Monks Of New Skete Dog Quotes

Dogs make us believe we can actually be as they see us.

Learning the value of silence is learning to listen to, instead of screaming at, reality: opening your mind enough to find what the end of someone else’s sentence sounds like, or listening to a dog until you discover what is needed instead of imposing yourself in the name of training.

If we look honestly at the way many people manage their dogs today, we are faced with a staggering reflection of irresponsibility and lack of compassion. It is difficult to refer to a dog as “man’s best friend” when more than six million unwanted adult dogs and puppies are euthanized every year. We are not speaking here of the humane killing of animals done out of a sense of responsible stewardship but of the massive human negligence that leads to euthanasia. For those who doubt the serious implications of this situation, a trip to the local animal shelter can be a real eye-opener. We recall one client who dismissed our advice about spaying her female shepherd, explaining she felt it was important for her children to have the experience of seeing puppies born. When we asked her how she intended to care for and give homes to the puppies, she responded that she really had not thought about it at all and that she would probably leave them at the local humane society when it was time for them to be weaned. We then asked her what value such an experience would have if the principal lesson her children would learn is that puppies are cute little playthings who, when sufficiently used, may then be conveniently disposed of. Fortunately, our questioning convinced her of her faulty thinking, and she left with a new respect for the implications of bringing puppies into the world.

Beginning at thirteen weeks, a pup will show more pronounced expressions of independence: the dog who only last week was your shadow, who seemed well on his way to being trained, now begins to ignore you when you call, and during training and play sessions you have to work extra hard to keep his attention. His rapid growth produces a corresponding increase in activity that makes him highly excitable and difficult to manage. While he does need plenty of exercise, for most owners this translates into walks with lots of pulling and lunging. Bad habits develop quickly. When guests come to the house, the juvenile pup turns into a juvenile delinquent, jumping up and making himself a pest, continually demanding attention. It is also common for pups of this age to become very mouthy, so that by the teething period (four to six months), they are chewing on everything, people included. To top things off, your puppy will probably go through a second fear period, when his behavior will swing from being independent and bratty (twelve to fourteen weeks) to periodically cautious and fearful (sixteen to twenty-four weeks), even of things with which he had formerly been comfortable.

Therefore, we can conclude that good training involves not only the precision of a dog’s performance but the attitude she displays in working.

Here’s a suggestion that might alleviate the problem: Instead of making a fuss over your dog when you come home, or taking your frustration out on him, try to be calm each time you enter the house (this might contribute to your well-being, too). If you want to greet your dog, make sure the greeting is subdued: no high-pitched squeals or baby talk.

tend to side with the Monks of New Skete on the question of the canine desire to please: dogs, they say, care a lot less about pleasing humans than they care about pleasing themselves; if acting in a way that pleases you means something good will happen to them—they’ll get a biscuit, a reward, a pat on the back—they’re likely to be motivated to carry out the task, but their agenda is not necessarily driven by the pure and selfless wish to make you happy.

: Learning the value of silence is learning to listen to, instead of screaming at, reality: opening your mind enough to find what the end of someone else’s sentence sounds like, or listening to a dog until you discover what is needed instead of imposing yourself in the name of training

Learning the value of silence is learning to listen to, instead of screaming at, reality: opening your mind enough to find what the end of someone else's sentence sounds like, or listening to a dog until you discover what is needed instead of imposing yourself in the name of training. — THOMAS DOBUSH, Monk of New Skete (October 9, 1941–November 7, 1973), in Gleanings, the Journal of New Skete, Winter 1973   I

or phrase (such as “Do it” or “Hurry up” or “Go potty”) to coincide with the act. Repeat it several times; once you begin the command, do not stop until she actually begins to eliminate. When she does, quietly change from the command word to soft praise until she finishes. The key is to keep your voice calm and quiet. Some owners make the mistake of being overly enthusiastic when the pup is eliminating, which results in the dog interrupting what she’s doing and not completely finishing. Also, puppies often have to eliminate several times when they first wake up,

Dogs can help themselves: By simply being who they are they cast a spell on our attention that lets them find a place in the center of our universe. As they spontaneously draw different dimensions of ourselves – some that may be hidden from us – they become doorways to deeper self-knowledge and wholeness that renew and refresh us. Being alive to this puts the ordinary responsibilities associated with caring for a dog in a new perspective, one less of inconvenience than of privilege.

Dogs possess an indomitable spirit for life that teaches right up to their last day.

However, there is much more to be gained through your relationship with your dog, if you but open yourself to the possibilities. Your dog can provide you with a unique access to the natural world, helping you to expand your capacity for aesthetic appreciation, warmth, and enjoyment, thus rooting you in deeper realities.

The key is to keep your voice calm and quiet. Some owners make the mistake of being overly enthusiastic when the pup is eliminating, which results in the dog interrupting what she’s doing and not completely finishing.