The dog is man's greatest victory over the animal kingdom. The canine species comes to us from the fields and forests, as one of the beasts thereof, to live with us in our very homes. No other species of animal life has bridged the gap so much and in the process, enjoyed so wholeheartedly the leap from savagery toward civilization.
Nevertheless dogs are to be judged as dogs. We must avoid the common error of applying human rules and viewpoints. That the dog may continue his adjustment to our society, his capabilities are to be developed. Thus the necessity of training the dog appears so that the discrepancies arising out of the polar ends of ten thousand years of human progress may be lessened, and the dog, by wild nature at the other end of the ten thousand, be brought into a routine of obedience to his human master.
That the presence of dogs among us may not offend those who do not like dogs, and that the dog may be useful in the utmost to all, every dog owner has the obligation to train his dog.
In our modern life of close contacts, particularly in towns and cities, there is place only for the trained dog. Much of the damage done by dogs is by those that have not been trained in obedience, particularly to heed the owner's command to stay by his side.
Rather than to have more dogs, the slogan should be-"better dogs and better care for them." Better dogs includes a greater development of mental abilities; and better care includes physical welfare of course, but also proper training so that the dog of his own accord can meet the various situations which confront him.
A Missouri dog owner, having studied a previous edition of this work, wrote: "It might interest you to know that I bought a copy of Will Judy's Training the Dog and the information therein helped me to change a dog criminal into a respectable citizen of the community."
This statement well sets forth the objective I have in mind for behind the expressive and pleading brown eyes and within the skull of the dog lies a brain which has untold possibilities; this needs to be developed so that the companionship and the understanding between man and his dog may be deeper and indeed be spiritual. Dogs must give an account of themselves and their opportunities, but it is unjust to demand this if their masters do not train their minds.
A world of pleasure and usefulness can be gotten from the trained dog. His obedience to the spoken word, his quick compliance, give delight to all who behold him. His training raises him to a higher level so that he seems not a beast of the field but a companion worthy to walk by the side of man, the only god he knows.
