Hello furry friends and families:

This article was forwarded to me from vet Dr. Paula-Marie Mather of Maritime Animal Hospital Moncton. I decided to re-post this article on the front page of our website because I think it makes a very compelling case for why train your puppy. It really touched a cord with me as it addresses the sad reality of what happens when a family doesn't take the time to train their dog properly. Every week we have people contact us who decide to wait to train their dog and many times that day never comes or they feel they can do it themselves - how hard can it be?  There is a lot to know about puppy and dog behaviour and a professional instructor can fill in the blanks for you.

I Died Today Your Puppy - author unknown

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now.

Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge .

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t chewed your shoe? I didn’t know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all.

There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn’t get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if I hadn’t barked? I was only saying, “I’m scared, I’m lonely, I’m here, I’m here! I want to be your best friend.”

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn’t make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me?

You didn’t pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today. Love, Your Puppy.

Remember the prime time to train and socialize your puppy is 8 weeks to 16 weeks - earlier is better so you can prevent bad habits.

Doggone  Pawsitive offers early professional, humane, positive puppy training with an emphasis on problem solving, socialization and good manners.

We can save your sanity and your puppy's life.