True Test Of A Trained Dog example essay topic

The beginning of human and animal interaction has been triggered by the progress of technology. Animals have been utilized for work, recreation, companionship as well as medical and scientific projects. Why are there so many different kinds of domesticated animal species suited for captivity? Many pets, such as different dog and livestock breeds, were bred to fulfill different purposes for human needs. The process of selective breeding of animals was at first unintentional and probably unobserved. For example, large, aggressive, and big-horned bulls were probably too dangerous to keep around and so did not survive to reproduce these characteristics.

Thus, over time, early farmers unknowingly altered the genetic make-up of the life forms they most relied on. According to Prof. Jared Diamond, must meet six criteria, in order to be considered for domestication: 1. Flexible diet (not too cumbersome or expensive) 2. Grow up reasonably fast (see growth rate) 3. Be able to breed in captivity 4. Pleasant disposition 5.

Unlikely to panic and 6. Modifiable social hierarchy (recognize a human as its leader). Modifications of body size reflecting the uses to which the animal is put, loss of speed and agility, loss or decrease in size of horns or other natural weapons, biological specialization for human needs (e. g., wool production in sheep), are apparent over time. Smaller changes in disposition and intelligence occurred also.

Some species of domestic animals could not survive now without human care and protection. Others, however, like the pig, can revert back easily to life in the wild. An even more fundamental reason for the presence of animals in Near Eastern agriculture, however, derives from the nutritional value of cereal grains. Humans need 12 amino acids to survive and reproduce. Cereal grains, however, supply adequate quantities of only two of the 12. Cereal diets must therefore be supplemented with protein from other sources.

Animal protein from meat or milk products is one way to create a sustaining diet based on cereals, and this was part of the answer in the Near East. Lentils and dry peas, chick peas (or garbanzos) eventually provided other good supplements found in ancient diets in the region. Another food source is visible in the background of the photo at top left: the date palm. The Greeks relied heavily on olives, both green and ripe, the Babylonians raised figs and dates. The Chinese, with a similar cereal economy, domesticated the protein-rich soy bean to supplement the grains in their diet (wheat, millet, rice).

Humans also need many vitamins and at least trace amounts of many elements; these needs are met by including in the diet all sorts of edible plants such as onions, garlic, lentils, garbanzos, cabbage, turnips, fruits, and berries, etc. A wholly distinctive and different agriculture grew up in the New World, in the Americas. Large domestic animals were conspicuously absent in these ancient economies. The explanation for the contrast with the Old World is not hard to find: their main food plants, corn, squash, and beans (add potatoes in South America) provide, if eaten together, all 12 of the necessary amino acids. The supplementary foods grown by early American farmers include tomatoes and peppers, which have spread all over the world since 1492. For example, the Near East, the cradle lands of both Western and Islamic civilizations, used animals almost from the beginning of settled life both for food and for labor.

This was not accidental. The reasons for this cultural adaptation can be seen in terms of the special needs of Near Eastern cereal-growers: wheat and barley require elaborate (labor-intensive) preparation of the fields (seed beds) so that the grain will out-compete weeds. Using animals, (almost any large animal will do) to drag a scratch plow makes the job easier and quicker for humans. Near Eastern cereal-growers thus became livestock raisers. Human communities have been ingenious at finding ways to adapt to the limitations of the food sources available in their local community. Since they possess evolving cultures [and do not have to evolve biological features to meet new conditions], they may quickly adapt themselves and their way of life to take advantage of new opportunities or meet new challenges.

Animals were of vital importance to prehistoric farmers. They provide assistance with farm work, clothing, protection, as well as food. Land management became easier and tasks quicker. The disadvantages were primarily to do with feeding the animals. The carnivores often hunted the same species as man, whilst the herbivores had to have food grown for them, this food would of taken up space that human crops were to be grown upon. Pigs were a native species to Europe and the Near East. and it is thought to of descended from the wild boar.

The wild pigs were larger than the domesticated species and the reasons for their size reduction is not known. Barker (1985) thinks that it is not due to selection by man. Pigs had several advantageous features. The entire animal is edible and their reproduction rate is extremely high. Coupling this with a pig's ability to eat practically anything, resulted in a adaptable animal that was easy to rear and look after. Wild species of cattle were much larger than domesticated.

This is probably due to natural selection of larger boned wild species, better adapted to survive in harsh conditions. Humans influence has altered this trend. Poor quality winter feed, restricted grazing lands and selective breeding all brought about a clear difference between wild and domestic species. Cattle were a prized species, able to provide: butter, milk, cream, and cheese whilst living. Their phenomenal power was utilized to plough fields and fertilization of the land was another added bonus. Once dead cattle provided large quantities of meat and their hides could be use for clothing.

Thus cattle were a vital resource to prehistoric farmers. Domesticated sheep and goats have a cloudy origin. They were first herded in the Near East. The advantages of sheep and goats is their hardiness. It is possible to keep the animals on very poor land with little grazing potential. They are able to survive out door at all times of the year and give birth naturally, without human assistance - although the survival rate was not high.

The prehistoric sheep were smaller than today's sheep and were of poorer quality. Sheep provided wool for clothing, milk and cheese and also meat. Their hides could also be used once the animal had died. Goats offered the same advantages as sheep. Their hides were especially valued due to their tough-wearing properties. Other animals that were used in prehistoric farming included horses, donkeys, dogs and red deer.

Horses were smaller than the ones today and were used primarily for transport, i.e. pulling carts and riding. They were occasionally eaten, but due to their position as a prestigious animal this was rare. Donkeys were used mainly as pack animals in long distance transport. They were occasionally used for light ploughing. Dogs were tamed a long time before farming was introduced. They originate from wolves and were larger than modern species.

They were kept for their abilities to herd, guard and hunt. Red deer were a vital food resource for people in prehistoric times. They varied greatly in size and could live in deciduous forests or open moor land. The ability to herd them was necessary as hunting often took too long and required a specialized knowledge of local landscapes. The red deer were killed for their meat and also their antlers, which could be used in the manufacture of tools and weapons. Despite long enthusiasm about revolutionary progress in farming, few crops and probably even fewer animals ever became domesticated.

While the process continues with plants (like berry fruits), it appears to have ceased with animals. Domesticated species, when bred for tractability, companionship or ornamentation rather than for survival, can often fall prey to disease: several sub-species of apples or cattle, for example, face extinction; and many dogs with very respectable pedigrees appear prone to genetic problems. One side-effect of domestication has been disease. For example, cattle have given humans various viral diseases, like measles and tuberculosis; pigs gave influenza and horses, the rhinoviruses. Humans share over sixty diseases with dogs. Many parasites also have their origins in domestic animals.

The first domestic animal was probably the dog, possibly as early as 11000 B.C. The next three; the goat, sheep and pig, were domesticated around 8000 B. C, all in western Asia. The cow followed around 6000 B. C and the horse was domesticated first in northern Russia, around 4000 B.C. Local equivalents from different areas and smaller species were domesticated from the 2500's B.C. The wild ancestors of all dogs were hunters. Wolves and other wild relatives of the dog still hunt in packs for their food. Dogs have retained the urge to be with the pack. This is why they do not like to be left alone for long.

Some breeds of dogs still retain the hunting instinct. Dogs exist in a wide range of sizes, colors, and temperaments. Some, such as the Doberman pins cher and the German shepherd, serve as alert and aggressive watchdogs. Others, such as the beagle and the cocker spaniel, are playful family pets, even though they were bred for hunting. Still others, such as the collie and the Welsh corgi, can herd farm or range animals. Each of the dogs just mentioned is a purebred.

A mongrel dog, however -- one with many breeds in its background -- can just as easily fit into family life. Dogs have been with humans since prehistoric times. Over the years they have performed various services. They have pulled sleds over snowy tracts and have delivered messages, herded sheep and cattle, and even rescued people trapped in the snow. Dogs have served as a source of food, too.

The ancient Romans are said to have prized certain kinds of dog stew. The Aztecs of ancient Mexico raised tiny dogs, thought to be the forebears of the Chihuahua a, to feed the large carnivores in the private zoos of the Aztec rulers. In the past dogs have even been worshiped as gods. Recently, they have been used in drug research, medical experimentation, and space science. Soviet scientists launched dogs into space to test the ability of mammals to survive the rigors of space travel before people were sent up. Lots of dogs are also trained today as guard dogs by the United States Army and other military services.

Since dogs possess keen sense of smell, they are also used by police to track down escaped prisoners. Law enforcement agencies also rely on the dog's a curate sense of smell to uncover illegal drugs. Specially trained dogs serve as the 'eyes' of the blind, guiding the steps of their sightless masters around obstacles such as traffic and other hazards. Some dog breeds are more suitable for different jobs than others. For example, a Newfoundland dog would be suitable for swim and snow rescue due to its "fin-like" skin between its toes. A German Shepherd would be more suitable for police work due to its intelligence, agility and ability to learn quickly.

Companions for apartment living in a large city would probably a small lap dog such as a Chihuahua or Yorkshire Terrier. These breeds are easy to pick up and carry, don't require a lot of room and enjoy being utilized as just companions. Several types of terrier are also used in police drug work due to their intelligence for distinguishing between different things (such as scents) and their compact size. It has been said that a terrier can distinguish a grave of his owner in a large cemetery of hundreds of graves. (The Encyclopedia Of The Dog, 1995) Horses are another animal that is well-suited for domestication and human use. It's diet is very simple and it's needs are modest compared to the utilization power of this species of farm animal.

Horses have been used for field labor (such as ploughing) and for transportation by pulling carts. They have also been used for therapeutic purposes for handicapped children and adults. Horses can also be ridden by spinal cord patients or people with balance problems and can experience significant strengthening of the back and their sense of balance. Children enjoy a horse's beauty and ability to be ridden as well as having a dog-like companion in a horse or pony, thus the quote: 'There's something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man. ' Some animals look like they would make good pets at first, but when they grown up, they do not want to be a domesticated pet. Experts in animal care virtually are in agreement in their recommendation to stick to domesticated animals when choosing a pet.

Although wild animals may be cute and cuddly in the early months of life, they tend to become less and less suitable as human companions as they mature. The characteristics that have helped their species survive through the millennia are rarely desirable for life in captivity. In no instance is this more poignant than with wolves and wolf-dog hybrids. Although wolf-dog hybrids have long been common among Native Alaskan sled dog teams, it's been only in the past decade or so that the practice of breeding dogs with wolves has spread to other parts of the country.

Even the biggest dogs have smaller teeth than wolves have, and they tend to look to a person, not another dog, as their pack leader, or master. While wolves roam vast territories in search of food, dogs have been bred to stay much closer to home. But in addition to breeding some of the characteristics of wolves out of their dogs, people also have bred into domestic dogs a kind of territorial aggressiveness needed to make good watchdogs that is absent in their wild cousins. Training a dog at a young age for the purpose of serving human beings, is very important. Misbehavior by a puppy in the family must be dealt firmly at the earliest.

A pup must not be confused during training, and it is preferable if a single person takes on the onus to train the young one. If one member of the family punishes or reprimands the pup and another person taking 'pity " on it, the animal is left rather confused. It is best that once a pup is being trained all members approach it with a uniform attitude. The next aspect of dog training involves taking a look at the qualities a dog and its owner need to have for proper training. As a popular author once said ' there are no bad dogs, only bad owners. ' In most cases with good handling the dog can be molded to a person's needs.

Each dog has its own unique temperament. Some dogs are shy and prefer to remain alone, while others are bold and love to explore the wonders of the world. It is therefore crucial to understand which category the puppy fits into. Each breed has its own unique learning ability and it's tough to expect a toy breed to learn the same as a giant guard dog. Terriers need to be handled in a different way from say a Gun Dog.

Some dogs will only learn with kindness, like the Labrador. If such dogs are punished too much they will retreat into a shell that no one can force them out of. Doberman may need more firm handling, but no dog should be beaten during training. The age factor also should be taken into account, for instance toy breeds mature faster than Boxers or Labradors. It is a myth that Mongrels or mix breeds cannot be trained. Whatever the breed is, the one uniform policy that the trainer needs to do is to have patience.

The owner or trainer plays an important part in the training program. The first and foremost priority is to have lots of time and energy. The owner needs to have patience and good judgment. This involves using a correct mixture of firmness and kindness, depending on how the puppy responds. The owner has to first prove himself to be the alpha of his pack. One good way is to feed the puppy only after the owner has eaten.

In a pack, the alpha member eats first and leaves the remains for the rest. This may seem ruthless to some people, but dog training involves a lot of canine psychology. One author goes to the extent of saying that one hand should be used for feeding and the other for punishment. In the long term, if the owner just raises the hand used for punishment the dog shrinks back! The hand used for feeding makes the dog realize that pleasure is associated and then it comes to play! The owner needs to understand that all puppies and dogs have their limitations.

Each dog has its own attention span. Therefore in the very initial part of training ascertain how long one can keep the pup interested in training. The moment it begins to lose interest, you have to stop. The more pleasurable the training program is for the dog, the faster it will learn. Dog training is both an art and a precise science that involves a lot of understanding of canine psychology. Dog training is more important for first time owners having pets that are medium to large breeds that can actually inflict a lot of damage purely due to their size.

This is especially important in those houses having young children. Dog training is a vast domain including early puppy socialization, house training, basic obedience training and advanced guard training. Other forms of specialized training include scent determination, specialized job training as for the blind and so on. The puppy begins its own training with the mother.

This is a very important stage of its personality development that no human can substitute. It's because of this that puppies are best weaned or taken away from the mother only at the age of six weeks. When a puppy bites its litter mates or mother, they bite back showing that such behavior is totally unacceptable. With humans, when the puppy nibbles our fingers, we actually enjoy it. Since dogs are creatures who learn by habit, this persists well into adulthood, at which stage the owner wakes up to the realization that getting bitten by an adult dog is not after all such a great feeling!

Similarly, if a young pup dares to growl at its mother, it will be put right back in its place where most human owners remain clueless as how to handle the young troublemaker. Another great past time to enjoy with a dog or horse, is going and exhibiting at shows. Dog shows are most successful in winters because this ensures that the pets look their very best. The shedding stops or at least reduces to a great extent and finally the coat has a glow on it. Most of the dog shows being canine beauty pageants need the dog to be in peak health. There are two kinds of dog shows in general the All Breeds shows and Obedience Trials.

The first, is a beauty contest where the breed characteristics are looked at while the latter is a true test of a trained dog. Therefore in an All Breed's show any owners can take his dog irrespective of its training. For the serious show exhibitors the time has already come to start conditioning their dogs. A good show dog must be fully fit and properly groomed well before the show starts.

To make a champion of your dog a lot of effort is involved. Lots of physical conditioning of the animal, minute and precise grooming to make the dog look good, a strong bonding with it so that it obeys implicitly during the show is important. The dog must understand the commands of the handler and he in turn must be capable of bringing out the best in his dog. A dog gets only a few minutes within the show ring, and if the handler is inattentive or careless then the best dog may lose. For the amateur, there are two kinds of shows, those shows that are run by other pet lover groups and those run by The American Kennel Club. The Kennel Club has granted some shows special status i.e. the winners of these shows will get points that add up in the eventual choosing of the Dog of the Year.

This has helped the serious exhibitor in having to go to a limited number of shows in their quest to make their pet the top dog for the year. This makes it all worthwhile, even for people that are just starting to show their pets. So there's lots of fun to be had with a dog as a pet. To Be Continued.