Training puppies to be loyal and obedient friends
Cheung Chung-chiu, chief trainer at Lotus Kennel, makes house calls and takes pride in keeping up with the latest techniques
AFTER MANY YEARS in this job, I have come to realise that dogs and humans have very similar characteristics. Dogs can sense your emotions by listening and observing your body language and will respond accordingly.
Perhaps the biggest difference, though, is a dog's unwavering loyalty. As long as you have trained it properly, it will always protect you and never think of the consequences.
I first got into training dogs in the early 1960s. I was extremely fond of them from an early age, so when I met a friend who knew one of Hong Kong's first dog trainers, I was desperate to be introduced and taken on as an apprentice.
Eventually that happened, but I soon found out it was going to be hard work. At first, I was given some menial jobs to do at the kennels for no salary. But over the years I acquired all the skills and by 1967 had started training my own dogs.
Just last year, I opened my kennels in Yuen Long. I train all types of dogs: some for owners who just want them to be properly house trained, others are police dogs or will be entered in shows.
There are levels to go through when training a dog - a bit like going to school or university. In the first month, we can teach basic skills such as sitting, standing and walking to heel. This is the equivalent of primary school. If the owners want their dog to receive more advanced training, then we take longer and teach more. Police dogs take the longest; the time required depends on how smart and alert they are.
The training for police dogs is obviously harder and not all have the potential or temperament to reach the standards required. It is easiest to train dogs that are naughty and lively. Their character shows they have potential, but we have to discipline them and teach them the right way. The hardest to train are usually the ones that are already obedient and do everything you say. They can be much slower when learning anything new and will always be a few steps behind the more animated ones.
Besides working at my place, I also go to people's houses during the week to train their dogs and I give obedience classes at Dogotel.
The skills involved in what I do are always changing, especially overseas. I often watch videotapes of how people train dogs elsewhere and make sure I stay up to date with the latest techniques.
The job is not easy, but the most rewarding part has been in taking on many apprentices and seeing them go on to win awards and do well. Anyone wanting to get into this business must be willing to learn and be ready to work with many types of dog.
More Hong Kong people have pets and their knowledge of how to look after them has improved over the years. But, it is still not as good compared to other countries. Perhaps it has to do with the hectic lifestyle people lead here - they often don't have time to train their dogs beyond the basics.
The sad thing is that many owners don't seem to realise the work and sacrifice involved in keeping a dog. They might think it is fun at first, but when it gets harder, they just give up. That's why the SPCA has so many unwanted dogs. I think it will take a long time for this attitude to change.
