Having a good well trained dog is an important part of any preparedness plan!

Hello, my friend and welcome back!   We often talk about things that can make the difference between life and death when disaster strikes, but did you know that having a well-trained dog is one of the most important things you can have?  Grab a cup of coffee., my friend and have a seat while we visit.

I love dogs, I always have.  When I was growing up as a young boy in the Piney Woods of East Texas, I always had a dog with me.  It just seemed to be the natural order of things.  On more than one occasion, that dog saved my bacon by spotting a snake of other danger well before I did. 

Down through history, dogs have always proved to be well worth their salt. time and time again.  They make loyal pets, great look outs and if properly trained, they can perform as well as any soldier in battle.  Proper training is critical, especially for Disaster Scenarios.  By putting forth the effort now, you can greatly increase your chances of survival simply by training them to not only follow your commands but to perform critical functions.

Let’s take a look at some of the task that a well-trained dog can perform when the world falls apart.

·         Companionship – This is one that you don’t usually think of when you think survival.  Anyone who has ever seen combat will tell you that when you scared as hell, having a dog at your side is extremely comforting. Knowing that it will see and smell anything out of the ordinary long before you do, provide a piece of mind that can’t be replaced.

·         Security – As mentioned above, their keen sense of smell makes them a tremendous asset when it comes to patrolling the grounds. They are also excellent when it comes to being a good judge of people.  It’s always been my opinion that if my dog doesn’t trust someone, then I shouldn’t either.  It may not mean that they are bad, but they will need to prove themselves first.

·         Protection – Dogs can be very protective of individuals, especially the young and the old.  The last thing you need in the heat of the battle is worrying about someone reaching your kids.  They will make even the biggest man think twice about touching anyone they are protecting.  They are also good at keeping away wild animals like bear and cougars.

·         Hunting – With their keen eyesight and strong sense of smell, they can help you find wild game even when you can’t find any yourself.  They are excellent trackers and when properly trained can track just about anything through places many people may think is impossible.

Yes, dogs are great friends naturally, but in order to be good at tracking wild game or following commands, they must first be well-trained.  Oddly this is something many people seem to overlook when the dogs are young.  They get the dog because it’s cute and just want to have one, but then as they are no longer cute little puppies, they tend to ignore them and get angry when they don’t do what they want them to.

Having a dog is a lifetime commitment to each other.  You need to think ahead and train them to be able to understand just what it is that you want them to do.  Dogs can be the very best friend that you can have, but you must take care of them.   Get them their shots and have them wormed on a regular basis.  Good health is key to a long life for your friend and always make a little time each day to spend with your dog and go over his training or just play.  Dogs are like children, they need to run and play, and they need to know they are loved.

If you’re not willing to put forth the effort and make a commitment to raise and care for a dog, then please don’t get one.  There are enough abused dogs in the world as it is.  If you do however decide to make the commitment and get a dog to train for and be a part of your Preps, you should first check the local animal control and see what they have available.

My dog is a major part of mine and my wife’s life, and we take the time to enjoy and train her every day.  She is as much a part of our family as our children are, after all, we made the same commitment to them as well.  Dogs are an important part of any preparedness plan and not only will they give you the peace of mind of knowing you are more prepared, but it will also provide you with a wonderful friend for life.

Well, that is it for today and I hope you have enjoyed today’s post.  Until next time, stay safe, stay strong and stay prepared.  God Bless America!

-Sarge-