A Canine Bill of Rights

• Every dog has the right to be guided by a knowledgeable and compassionate human.
  
  
• No training methods shall be employed that weaken the dog's trust in his human. Neither shall the dog be bribed, tricked, or bullied into compliance. Every dog needs a strong, but benevolent, leader whom he respects and follows unquestioningly and joyfully. The right to be the dog's leader is not God-given and must be earned.
  
  
• The human shall respect the dog's inalienable right to communicate in his own inborn language, which includes jumping at his human (but not at complete strangers). As dogs don't have hands, they use their mouths and bodies to play and communicate; this must be guided but not forbidden.
  
  
• All games dogs play are in their nature hunting or fighting games. The right to play these games—also with family members—must be guided but not denied.
  
  
• The human shall make no attempt to change the dog's basic character. Healthy, vigorous, vivacious dogs need to be guided by healthy, vigorous, vivacious humans. Soft, overly sensitive or physically weak humans should not guide boisterous, strong dogs.
  
  
• No dog's primary purpose shall be to serve as entertainment or an educational tool for children. No dog should ever be left unsupervised with children below the age of 12 years. All dogs need an adult human to be their principal connection. Large dogs will occasionally push over or scratch small children. The human must not manage such situations by becoming hysterical and punish the dog, but temporarily separate dog and child.
  
  
• The dog's need for daily companionable aerobic, off-leash exercise shall not be abridged. Two hours daily is the required minimum. In order to accomplish this safely, all dogs must be taught an unequivocal and immediate recall.
  
  
• If the dog needs to be exercised on leash for reasons of safety, a Flexi or other long line should be used whenever possible. The walk is a gait rarely used by the healthy, vigorous dog. (The trot is the most comfortable gait.) Therefore, no dog should be condemned to heel for extended periods of time.
  
  
• All dogs have the right to be properly socialized. This does not simply mean exposure to various situations, but to teach the dog to act appropriately in a variety of social circumstances.
  
  
• All dogs have the right to be kept as healthy as possible. As the dog's body structure is that of a long distance runner, no dog should be condemned to overweight or obesity.
  
  
• Puppies have the right not to be left alone for extended periods of time. Adult dogs must not be separated from their "pack" for prolonged times. Sequestering a single dog in a yard all day long, more than occasionally, is not humane. A full-time job away from home and care for a dog often do not mix well. Excessive use of crates must be avoided.