Special day… Obi’s birthday and what I learned from Obi

by simonwchan

Today is a Special Day!

As I am writing this, it is Monday, Nov. 28, 2011 and today is my beloved dog’s birthday!  As most of you know, my dog Obi is like my first born son.  Actually, I still don’t feel like I have a “dog” or I am a “dog owner.”  Obi is more than a dog… He is a big part of me and our family.  He’s almost at the human level except that he doesn’t talk.  I think in my mind, I just have Obi and it sounds weird when I say I have a “dog.”

How can you not love a face like that?!

Mutual affection

Obi is 3 years old today… and I still remember where I was when he was born. (though I did not get him till he was 9 weeks old), I know his birth date and remember all the things I did on the day he was born because Obi is so special.

This was when Obi was only 9 weeks old and the first day we got him

One of the reasons why I am grateful for having a home business is because of the amount of time I get to spend with Obi.  Obi on the other hand is probably the luckiest dog since he gets to spend time with me all day.  Most owners leave work in the morning and their dogs don’t see them till they get home at night.  But with Obi, he is LUCKY!  Obi gets to be with me all day (by the way, he is sitting in my lap as I type this blog) and he gets taken for walks FOUR TIMES A DAY!  Yes… 4 times… not once.. not twice… not three times… but FOUR TIMES A DAY!  (730am, 1pm, 6pm and 1030pm).

We keep each other company while I work from home

Afternoon nap with Obi

On top of the 4 walks a day, we take Obi to the backyard everyday to play catch.

Obi has also flown in a plane more than 5 times… he has been to New York City 3 times and Vancouver 2 times… It is safe to say that wherever we go, we take Obi!

Bonus: Obi even has his own Facebook Fanpage!  Become his fan and the next time he sees you, he will give you a kiss! (Click here to check out Obi on Facebook)

We also want Obi to be healthy and to have as many birthdays as possible so we feed him a very high grade dry food along with a home cooked stew.  Health and exercise is a big part of his daily routine!

Obi has also been an awesome brother to my son, Ethan.  They both get along very well and Obi is very patient with Ethan even when Ethan wakes him up in the middle of the night or when Ethan yanks at Obi’s wiskers!

Ethan loves Obi!

WHAT I LEARNED FROM OBI

I have also learned a few valuable lessons from Obi…

Obi graduating from puppy class

The day after we got Obi at 9 weeks old, we started him on intense training programs.  He went through a 8 week puppy training course which was followed by another 8 weeks of intermediate training program.  One of the core fundamentals of dog training is “conditioning”.  This just means that the dog’s brain is programmed to react a certain way when a specific condition is presented.  For example, if I say “touch”, Obi will always run to me.  He runs because his brain is programmed to run because he knows that when he comes to me, I will give him a treat.  We set this programming and trained him for his first year of his life.  Once this programming is set, it will last almost for his whole life; even when the treat is not there!  So nowadays, anytime I need him to come, I will just say “touch” and he comes on my demand!

By the way, for those who are curious, the reason this “trick” is established is for safety reasons (and also to show your dog who is boss)… For example, if there was a fire or accident and you needed your dog to come to you immediately, that is when you can use the trick and say “touch” so that he comes to you and “touches your hand.”

When I saw how easily Obi was programmed at a young age, Obi taught me about the conditions that we may have gone through as a child.  Do you have certain fears or things that you react to a certain way?  Perhaps, you were brought up in a household where your father had a bad temper and he frequently would get angry and yell.  Chances are you, you may be that way as well.. or maybe since you were a child, your parents always called the wealthy “filthy rich” and somehow today you are not achieving the income you desire because subconsciously you think having more money makes you bad and more like the “filthy rich.”

What programmed conditions do you have that you want to change?

Chances are that whatever weaknesses and fears you have were programmed into you in your childhood.  You may have been too young to even know what was going on… and yet, it holds you back today.  The first step towards improvement and success is to realize what needs to be done.

So what can you improve on today?

ps… if you are interested to have more time or to be able to work from home, please contact me and I give you some advice.