This is Mitchell, although he doesn’t realise it yet he has been given a great gift, the privilege of growing up with animals.

 Dogs will be his teachers, they will teach him about love and compassion, they will teach him responsibility and how to protect and nurture another creature. Dogs will be his companions they will share adventures together, have fun, do guy’s stuff, hunting fishing and shooting. Animals will be his friends someone to talk to and confide in and accept him for what he is. He will never be lonely, no matter what the world throws at him he will always have someone who will listen to him and not judge. Animals will be his family, no matter where he is or what he does, no matter what people think of him or what position he holds they will always be there for him. They will walk down all the years with him and share his life, whatever it may be.

The Reason We Have Animals:

    Something to love – unconditional love, an utterly reliable relationship.
Something that gives our life reason or meaning.
Something to nurture and protect.
Companionship, someone to have fun with, to relax and be yourself (no criticisms).
Teaching children the facts of life, responsibility, compassion and something the whole family can share and enjoy together
To satisfy our urge for competitive activity and enjoyment of the company of like-minded people (training / shows / trials / kennel clubs).
An antidote for loneliness and isolation.
Recreation, sport, a good excuse to exercise and keep healthy.
Prestige, protection.
Dogs that work - sheep dogs, Seeing Eye dogs, police, army, drug detection, assistance dogs etc

So how can we sum it up this magical bond? It is really hard because it is something mysterious, intangible, not easily explained.
 It is probably many things, but one thing I believe is especially important to most people.

Animals allow us to join unconditionally with another living being they offer us love! We all need to love and be loved. To love successfully or even have a good relationship we need to relax certain personal barriers, fears, and beliefs. Animals allow us to do this in safety! They can offer us a rare relationship that is utterly reliable, unconditional and free from the fear of betrayal, criticisms or abandonment. They give us something that few others can give us in a lifetime.

 The Human Animal Bond Family.

Whether we are aware of it or not, everyone reading this article today belongs to a family, the family of the Human – Animal Bond. It is a huge family, an extended family that stretches right across the world. I have met them in some of the most unexpected places and wherever I have met them they have made me feel immediately at home and at ease, they took away any homesickness and they took away any feelings of loneliness and isolation. We are all of us bound by a common tie, the one thing that joins us together no matter what gender, race, colour or creed is our love of the dog!

Within this family, like in all families the whole gamut of feelings and emotions exist, there are close and long lasting friendships, fierce loyalties (to our breed, to one another, to our sport), there are disputes, jealousies, there are arguments and reconciliations there are differing opinions. But at the end of the day, when the family is in trouble or under attack from outside (as we are today) we stand together as one! United in the welfare and protection of each other, the animal that we love, our quality of life, our sport, our hobby our very meaning or purpose in life.

That’s what makes us different. That’s what makes us a family! In over 30 years of involvement in the dog world I have seen this phenomena of closing ranks to protect, to help, happen over and over again, in fire, flood, sickness and personal disaster. It is as predictable as the rising of the sun. An example of this was the 40year ban on the importing of German Shepherd Dogs. Not only was there in import ban, but dogs were not allowed to enter or reside in country areas or indeed in some states unless they were desexed.

The only reason that this great in-justice was reversed was because of the passionate, dedicated and enduring efforts, the love of the Human Animal Bond family for the German Shepherd Dog. So whatever the reasons we are involved in the world of the dog it is in all our interests to protect the dogs we love, our sport, our hobby, our profession, our income, our quality of life into the future.

The Road Ahead – Awareness and Commitment.

So what lies ahead, what does the future hold for us, the family of the Human Animal Bond? From my perspective today, the future looks increasingly bleak. One of the few advantages of growing older, is the ability to look back, to reflect, and to gain some sense of perspective in relation to trends.

I have become aware that in one generation (mine), there has been a profound change in our ability to keep pets successfully and in attitudes to animals not only from authorities but also from the wider community. I have become aware of the insidious manner in which this change occurs and the way some people and authorities use it to their advantage. These changes are creeping in to all aspects of pet ownership, everyday doors are shutting in our faces that will never be opened again.

The problem is not going to go away, as the world’s population continues to grow in the years to come, space will become more and more of a problem. United Nations predictions indicate built up urban areas will double in size in most developing countries in the next 20 years. 45% of the world’s population live in cities now, by the year 2025 it will be 66%. Australia is already one of the most urbanised countries in the world, high density living, increased population, reduced and crowded recreational areas will mean less of everything we and our pets now associate with a good quality of life.

Threats to Pet Ownership.

Media. The media’s obsession in publicising dog attacks and cat predation as "national incidents" is tipping the balance of public opinion against pet ownership. Dogs are presented as the butt of jokes, nuisances, or branded as aggressive and a threat to the community. The press do us untold harm and rarely (if ever) are our dogs presented in their true light that is as valuable and contributing members of every community.Urbanisation. Urban consolidation begun in 1980’s primarily because the spread of suburbia is expensive.

We now have smaller housing blocks and greater demands on public open space, all of which discourage the keeping of pets, particularly dogs. These changes are the primary causes of the behavioural problems (barking, boredom) councils constantly receive complaints about and which we as trainers have to deal with everyday.Urban Planning. Future residential housing, retirement developments and recreation areas aim to discourage or forbid pet access.

Dr Jonika Newby in her book "The Animal Attraction" says "In all the work on sustainable cities, all the conferences on the future of our communities, dogs don’t rate a mention. in all the policy documents, governing all the cities both in Australia and around the world you’d be hard pressed to find anything about dogs".

The elderly on moving into retirement or nursing homes are denied the only thing that remains a source of unconditional love, fun and laughter and that accepts them and makes them feel needed. Authorities and urban planners have completely disregarded the existence of our pets and our need and rights to continue to have them beside us.Lifestyle Changes.

These days we have longer working hours, busy schedules, single person / parent households and less time to care for an animal. Increased Costs. Costs involved in Veterinary services, pet food, pet accessories and equipment, training and the overall costs of living and unemployment levels all contribute and leave less time and money available for pet ownership.Legislation. Government is seeking to solve pet problems by legislative means, their intention is to solve problems by limiting pet ownership and restricting pet access to open space. Dogs are a low priority in the scheme of things, banning pets is seen to be the solution in more and more areas. This follows worldwide trends.Dare I say this?

Yes I will! Possibly the greatest threat to the future of the Human –Animal Bond comes from within our own ranks. While there is apathy, divisiveness, factions, pettiness, prejudice, biased and narrow views, a lack of vision we invite failure and we will all we be the poorer for it.

 Perhaps you think that all this doesn’t affect me, but if it hasn’t yet, it most certainly will. Right now owning a dog is very hard for the average pet owner, but for us to whom dogs are more than just a casual hobby, it is a very real and pressing threat! To continue to enjoy our hobby, our livelihood, our quality of life we need at times to keep more than one dog, we may need to breed dogs and we may need to keep a breed of dog that requires: exercise, stimulation, places to go, work to do.

Unless we are in the privileged position of living in an area of larger building blocks and unlimited recreation areas we have a very real dilemma. We can’t continue to stay where we are and enjoy our past quality of life, we may not be able to afford to keep moving further out just ahead of the creeping mass of suburbia, we can’t all move to the country. We can’t indefinitely continue to hide the numbers of dogs in our backyard, one way or another authorities eventually find out, its not a matter of if, but when!

Do we really want to be in this position? If not, we must do something about it now! We must all of us become pro-active on the subject of people and pets. We must convince authorities to plan cities, environments, accommodation were pets can live and laws that acknowledge our right to enjoy the companionship of well behaved and cared for pets wherever we are.

Solutions:

Much is already being done, all over Australia the Human Animal Bond Family and its friends (to numerous to mention in this article) are rising to the challenge. If we are to be the beneficiaries of all this effort we cannot be apathetic just sit back and leave it to someone else, we must join them, we must help. We cannot succeed if we are fragmented we must all of us present a united front; committed, cohesive and articulate.

We can help Individually or Collectively.

So what can we the family, the grass roots do to help?
We can act individually in an individual capacity or collectively as an organisation, business, club etc.

Individually:

 Above all, commit to taking a pro-active stance on the subject of the future of people and pets.
Be a role model – walk your talk – encourage others to do so, apply peer pressure.
Support (not only financially but with our time and efforts) those organisations who are already engaged in this work.
Become an educator, spread the message about what is happening and what we can do about it. Everyone can be an educator you can speak to people, groups, friends, workmates, people in the park.
Raise your voice in defence of our so-called "problem dogs". For every bad press report, every negative or ignorant comment there should be a hundred voices rising to our dog’s defence - to explain, to educate, to plead for him.
Maybe we wont save this dog, but we may save his future brothers and sisters. That’s what families do!
Become pro-active in lobbying politicians at all levels encourage others to do so.

 Pet overpopulation – Every year thousands of dogs die in the arms of the people who had hoped to save them, the reason – too many! Do we really want to contribute to that? Do we have to breed that litter (50% of dogs surrendered are pure bred)? Do we have homes for our puppies? If we breed do we consider (in our choice of sire & dam) animals that are sound in temperament as well as conformation. Do we recommend desexing? Are we honest about our breed, do we guide (or refuse to sell) to unsuitable buyers. We all know one of the major problems we, as well as welfare organisations have to deal with is incompatibility of owners and dogs. Do we consider the fact that over 90% of puppies we sell go to pet homes, their function is a suitable companion. Their ability to remain successfully in these homes will depend to a large extent on your choices, your ethics!

As dog trainers we can and do help people and pets stay together. But do we ignore the difficult ones? These dogs and owners are the ones who need our help the most, they are often the major cause of council complaints and bad publicity. They need our compassion and help urgently - they must be our first priority!

  Collectively:

 This great organisation of ours, perhaps above all others, should be a major player in future of the Human Animal Bond. I was there that Sunday in August 1997 when a small group of excited and enthusiastic people met for the first time to form the Australian Association of Pet Dog Trainers. I am proud to have been a founding member of this association. I am delighted with what has been accomplished in such a short time and I am excited about the possibilities of our future. In my opinion the Australian APDT contains within its membership the most forward thinking, the most innovative, the most pro-active dog trainers in this country. We are committed to furthering education and have powerful international connections. The APDT Australia is a national organisation, it has national importance, a national voice. Who better than this organisation to lead the way, not only in the education and inspiration of dog trainers around the country but perhaps in other ways.

 I note with great interest the APDT (USA) mission statement includes education not only for their members but for the public as well, and that their education committee is preparing a certification program. We could lead the way here in Australia, show others what can be done to protect the future of people and pets, apply peer pressure to other organisations to do the same thing. We should have a public voice, lobby the government (local, state, national) and educate the wider community. We should monitor the press and respond to bad publicity, advise and be a mediator with the police and the lawmakers. We could educate mothers and children, speak to teachers.

We can address the problems of bad training - as dog trainers we all know there is bad training and abuse out there. The only way to stamp this out (or at least to control it) is to train the trainers and have some form of accreditation. Ultimately the profession needs to establish an Australian Dog Training Industry Standard. We can and should, if not be the instigator of such a move, at least be at the forefront, a major contributor in this important step forward

 We must be more than trainers, we need to think not just of the next seminar, the next trial, the next class. If we value our dogs and all they mean to us we must be pro-active. We must spread our knowledge expertise and influence not just locally – but nationally, not just to the dog world – but to the wider community.

Of utmost importance to our success we must appreciate the views of those in the wider community that do not own or even like pets. We must listen to authority’s point of view. We must never burn bridges – today’s enemy maybe tomorrow’s ally. Our arguments must always be rational and balanced, we must present them persistently and professionally, use our best most articulate speakers, have prepared literature. Whatever we do and however we do it we must not be divided, we must do it together and cooperate with all parties involved. Contented neighbourhoods, where pets are not a problem occur when all parties take responsibility for making it happen.

Conclusion:

I know you might be thinking this all sound too hard, you may feel I already do enough. But it’s not hard really, just a different focus, a slight change in ordinary everyday priorities can have profound implications on a much wider scale and it’s certainly not hard if we all do it together! For us - the Family - working together for a common cause, can be one of the most satisfying things we do in a lifetime. If we want to give something back, if we want to leave a legacy for the future, if we want be all that we can be in this life - commit to a cause larger than yourself. What better cause is there for us than the future of the Human Animal Bond?

We need only to commit to one thing - the fact that we love dogs - if we love something we only want the best for it! Commitment individually makes us strong - commitment together makes us a force! Commitment makes life and decisions simple, before you do anything stop and ask yourself this question - is whatever I am about to do, or whatever I am about to say, in the best interests of dogs and their people and the future of the Human - Animal Bond? That’s the only question you ever need ask yourself - your decisions will always be easy!

Our dog’s welfare and the future of the Human - Animal Bond must be beyond politics, beyond petty squabbles, beyond personal ambition. In 100 years time who’s going to care who we were, what we won, what position we held. What will matter, what will be remembered, is if we leave a legacy - a better future for our dogs - better people pet relationships - a growing and enduring Human Animal Bond. That is what will be remembered with affection, with gratitude and with admiration from the generations to come. The very reason you are reading this Newsletter today is under siege, under threat! If we love dogs, and all that they mean to us then we have a much bigger enemy to fight than each other, it’s called change, it is inevitable, it must be faced together, it can only be solved successfully together.

I believe in the power of the Human – Animal Bond, I believe in its future and I believe in the ability The Family to make that future happen. And knowing the calibre I know that is a might powerful force.

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