Dogs have lived and worked with humans more closely than any other animal. Emphasis on the “worked”!
We bred dogs to help us with all sorts of tasks – from herding livestock and retrieving ducks to more modern pursuits like sniffing out explosives or helping farmers tell when it’s time to breed a cow.
While there are still plenty of working dogs out there, it’s fair to say that most of our pooches “work” by going on a nice long jog or playing fetch in the backyard. But just because most dogs are unemployed, doesn’t mean that those working traits have disappeared.
It does mean many high energy dogs, bred for a specific task, can become bored when they can’t work; they’ll dig, chew, or bark because they can’t herd, retrieve, or hunt.
The solution? Get creative! Your dog can learn how to bring you your slippers or find those lost keys. Teaching him such a trick may seem silly, but training your dog will improve your bond with your pet and make him more obedient.
Plus, it will give you the opportunity to praise him for a job well done!
