RALPH HERE. Whoever said it’s a dog’s life sure got that right. Ask any dog and he’ll tell you: the oldest story known to canines is the one about the owner who just doesn’t understand how we operate. Makes a dog want to take up barking. It’s a story of missed opportunities, bad advice and bad timing. We dogs take you people on, baby-sit your kids and sit around endlessly waiting for you to think of something to do. A neglected, untrained dog will take advantage, take your shoes, chew on the furniture and dig up the yard. We can’t express our exasperation in words or dramatic fashion, so we rip up your favorite potholder and leave it where you are sure to find it. Why? Because we need you. Because we want your guidance.
After several years of hints, innuendos and fits of barking, I managed to convince some folks I know to write what I like to call the first interactive children’s dog training book. Simultaneously it teaches kids, parents and the lovable dog fundamental training cues while telling a darn good story. It’s the kind of story that involves the whole family, including the family pet. Like any good fable, the story of Ralph and Andy is a story that instructs.
You’ll find training cue words in bold print, and a separate training manual in the back. Whenever your dog does what you ask, be sure to reward him. You’ll be rewarding yourself, too! So don’t skip school; read this book with your children, do the homework. If you won’t do it for yourself, think of your potholders.
Let me give you one little hint: practice the tricks with your beloved dog a few times before reading the story and expecting the performance of a lifetime. Like all good actors we dogs need our rehearsal time as well.
TERRY SIMONS has been involved with animals most of his life, but his first real taste of animal training came when he was offered a job to help train the animals for a holiday spectacle, The Glory of Christmas. It was during this production that Terry discovered his natural ability in working with animals, and not just any animals, but tigers, jaguars, horses, and other domestic farm animals. After many years of working in restaurants, Terry decided to finally make a go of full time animal training in 1998 and he hasn't looked back since.
Terry is an internationally recognized dog trainer who specializes in the sport of dog agility. Not only has he been successful with his own dogs, but also many of his students have reached national recognition in Canada and the United States.
You can also see Terry on Animal Planet where he is the host of the AKC International Agility Invitational.
Ralph's First Day of School is a project Terry worked on for nearly six years! It came about by accident while talking to one of his students. Terry felt that if he could write a book involving the entire family and the family pet, it would increase human and dog interaction to help dogs become better family members. Thus, Ralph's First Day of School, and more to come.
Terry lives in Northridge, California with his wonderful wife, Kim, and several well-schooled dogs.
SHANNON DARCH resides in Burlington Ontario, way up there in Canada! It just goes to show how dogs can bring people together! She has been drawing since she was a tot and made a fulltime career out of it 10 years ago with her business Animates. She has created artwork and illustrations, for people all over The USA, Canada, and for people as far away as Australia.
Shannon shares her life with her three best friends, Sass, Bentley Braveheart, and Whimzee who are also fulltime performing members of the Superdog Team!
