I have complete faith in the political wisdom and credentials of President Obama. Barack Obama appears to grasp the complexity of the multiple crises confronting our nation, and has staffed his White House with an impressive group of experts to help tackle the serious issues of our times.
I wonder if he is truly prepared to add a rambunctious puppy like Bo to his family's busy schedule.
High energy dogs from the working dog group need firm and consistent dog handling. I can't imagine how the President and the First Lady and their two young girls, 7 and 10, have the time and knowledge to socialize a big dog that needs direction and correction from morning until bedtime.
President Obama, you don't have a lap dog. You have an intelligent dog that needs to play hard and to be challenged intellectually. He definitely needs to be walked on heel. Bo needs a family of firm bosses and he needs clear rules, boundaries and limitations to help him stay calm and happy and responsive to human commands.
My earnest suggestion is that you hire a dog trainer to live with you in the White House until all of the Obamas know how to consistently instruct Bo on his social responsibilities as a well-trained dog.
I have a wonderful hybrid dog, Spitz-type mixed with golden retreiver, and I have spent many hours reminding him to honor my commands, and I leaned heavily on the advice of several professional dog trainers, particularly the "Dog Whisperer of National Geographic", Cesar Millan.
Here are some basic concepts from Cesar Millan that you can learn from his books and television show:
1. Bo needs exercise first, discipline second, and
affection last.
2. Anxious and excited dogs with excess energy don't
listen well and often don't learn.
3. Your dog needs rules, boundaries, and limitations.
4. Walking a dog on a leash, on heel, teaches him
that you are his leader and he must listen.
5. Dogs love to walk and run outside everyday;
their bodies need the movement and their senses,
particularly their noses, need the stimulation of
exploring the variety of experience outdoors.
6. Most dogs can adapt to running or fast walking on
a treadmill to get some needed exercise time.
7. Training a dog to come, stay, lie down, retrieve
is intellectually stimulating and makes a dog
happy.
Bo was a wonderful gift from Senator Ted Kennedy, and I am confident that President Obama will add some dog training books to his bedtime reading.
Bo looks like a great dog, but also a challenging dog that needs an intelligent and attentive family to teach him that he is not the leader of the family, but a happy follower in the Obama pack.
Good luck and have fun with Bo.