bringing up DOGGIE

Sanchita Regmi Joshy

Who can fathom the mind of a puppy? Cats drive them crazy, garbage is their favourite snack, and immediately after chewing your one-of-a-kind, leather jacket into confetti, they can give you a look of such innocent love and adoration that you forget all about it. This kind of behaviour can baffle and frustrate even the most conscientious of dog owners, and rightfully so. When you bring a puppy home, she becomes part of your family; you need to be able to trust her with your home, your belongings, and even your children. That’s why controlling your puppy’s behaviour is the key to having a peaceful relationship with her.

To have a dog that makes a good, dependable companion, you’re going to have to spend some time training. There’s no other way for your puppy to know that chewing on old knotted sweat socks is acceptable, for example, while chewing on the expensive tablecloth is not. She needs to be taught appropriate behaviour calmly, gently, and—most important—consistently. As soon as you get your puppy, you can start teaching her how to obey you, how to act around people and other dogs, and generally to be the best-behaved dog ever.

Though we’ll never know exactly what your pooch is thinking when she wags her tail until she gets dizzy, we do have some insight into how dogs think about relationships. Wild dogs live and hunt in packs, and to your dog, you and the other members of your family are fellow pack members. This is an important factor, because in every pack there are structured power relationships between members, according to one of the Kennel club owners.

Dogs are the most popular pets in the world. When it comes to rabies and your pet, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Regular vaccinations are still the best method for protection. Although rabies shots are effective, there’s no such thing as 100 percent protection, according to a veterinarian. He also says, "In the world of biology, there are no guarantees. We go by numbers, basically."

In order to have a peaceful, manageable relationship with your dog, it’s important that you establish your position as the leader from the beginning. You don’t need to raise your voice either; shouting can also make dogs nervous and provoke aggression.

Most dogs are perfectly happy submitting to a leader; they actually gain confidence and a sense of security from having someone to follow. The job of a good leader is to project a sense of strength by using a deep, steady voice, reacting calmly to situations that make the dog nervous, and giving rewards only for good behaviour. Training your dog to sit and lie down is helpful as well. If you’re still having a hard time, it will be better to ask a veterinarian about special exercises designed to establish your dominance without aggression. Socialising is one of the most important things you can do to train your young dog. Puppies, like babies, are like sponges—ready to absorb all kinds of information about their world. In the first months of their lives, they learn the right places to sleep, to catch the late afternoon sun and that the sound of a pressure cooker can mean dinner time. In this same period, it’s your job as a pet owner to teach them to bond with people and with other dogs and to be comfortable in unfamiliar situations. The less afraid your puppy is of strange people and animals, the less likely she is to act defensively and attack another dog or even a child.

The socialisation of puppies begins between three to four weeks of age, before most people bring their new pets home. If your puppy has been raised by a careless owner or breeder, you may have an uphill battle to fight when you get her home.

First of all, make sure she bonds with you and your family. Pet her, groom her, play with her, talk to her, and just generally give her lots of love. Show her that she can depend on you for affection, food, and gentle leadership.

Once your puppy feels safe with you and she’s had all her vaccinations, you can introduce her to the big, wide world. It will be excellent if we can take her to lots of new and exciting places—the park, or a friend’s house. Make sure she has plenty of chances to meet all kinds people and play with well-socialised dogs.

If you notice your puppy acting nervous in a new situation or starting to bristle at a strange dog, try not to scold her. Raising your voice will only make her more tense.

Trying to comfort her will backfire too. If she gets a lot of petting, cooling, and attention every time she’s scared as she’ll learn that reacting this way is a good thing. Instead, distract her as best as you can. Toss a ball or a chewable toy to her, or start playing her favourite game. When she gets absorbed in the game and starts ignoring the people or the dog that scared her, give her lots of praises. Soon she’ll associate the scary situation with fun and playtime, and she’ll become a canine socialite.

When most dog owners think about training their dog, they think in negatives. They think it may be too expensive. Without training them, the owners want the doggies to be the best and do whatever they want them to do. They want their puppies not to chew the furniture, not to piddle on the carpet, and not to jump up on guests.

This can get a little confusing from the puppy’s point of view, however. Imagine you were a puppy home alone, and you spent most of your day chewing on some loafers and spreading garbage around the kitchen. Then you nap for an hour and meet your family at the door when they come home.

Suddenly they greet you with lots of yelling and shouts of "No!" What did you do? Was it the chewing or meeting the family at the door? What were you supposed to do instead?

The key to keeping your puppy from doing what you don’t want her to do is giving her a positive alternative—teaching her what you do want her to do. For example, if you see your puppy dancing anxiously around the living room as if she wants to go out, get her outside in a flash. Stay near her the whole time she’s out, and reward her with praise and a treat as soon as she relieves herself.

This teaches her that going outside is a good thing.

If you catch your puppy chewing on something you don’t want her to chew on, distract her with one of her "good" chew toys. Whenever you catch her chewing on one of her toys, reward her. That’s the key to effective training—try to catch your puppy doing something good, like sitting still instead of jumping up or sleeping on the floor instead of the bed. Make a point of noticing these behaviours and rewarding them with attention, praises, or treats.

Narayan, a dog trainer says, when you train, you need to be persistent, and above all, patient. Your puppy’s going to make a lot of mistakes, and they may just destroy a few of your belongings, but they’re mostly just eager to please you. They need your love, attention, and guidance to be the good dogs you know they can be.

Food and water bowls are necessary, and, if you already have a dog bed, that’s great. If not, old blankets and towels can make up into a comfortable place for the dogs to sleep.

They need a nurturing home, food, health care, play time, and rewards for good behaviour — even a simple pat on the head. But all too often, people neglect the dogs in their care, and the results can be deadly.

‘...Wherefore Romario?’

Football: the most watched game on the planet. World Cup: the biggest and the most spectacular event meant for the game. Understandably, FIFA World Cup means a lot to all the footballers and the avid fans of the sport. So much so that a bulk of emotions pour in, just at the batter of an eyelid.

Emotions have been a major part of any sport, be it while posting world records or at having missed an important feat. Emotions flow when a seemingly impossible feat is achieved. And emotions gallore when the rooters, whose applause perhaps is the reason why sportstars reach extraordinary heights, are not able to see their favorite stars in action.

And in this issue of the football festival, there are plenty of footballers – all of them adored, almost revered, by the soccer aficionados – who will be missed. At least some who, on their day, can single handedly change the outcome of any match.

Romario is one such player. Romario de Souza Faria, the most influential player in the Brazilian team in their 1994 World Cup triumph, a cup they just craved for 24 years after the famous win in 1970.

No wonder, he became a national hero in the soccer mad nation. And why wouldn’t he be? For Romario, the 36-year-old 65-kg bundle of energy, is gifted. An eternal romantic; Romeo of the football world. His touch on the ball resemble the artistry that might have been in the repertoire of Don Juan de Marco. Hardly strange that we learn he is, the most liked Brazilian in Brazil, even more than the ‘phenomenon’ Ronaldo. He hardly pushed and prodded with the sphere on the grass; his was a ballet on the pitch. It seems bizarre to the football fans that such an artist was opted out by the coach, and that too, for the reasons unexplained. All that, despite rallies and protests by the fans, including the Brazilian President, to include him in the squad.

Not an unusual thing for this Flamego star, for this is not the first time he was left out. In 1998 also, he was kept out of the squad. The reason then: his injury, which the doctors said would have subsided by the second round of the tournament. Even then, he was hailed as the only player capable enough of making into the Pele’s all conquering 1970 World Cup team.

He has been kept out again. All this when he was one of the highest goalscorers in the Brazilian league. One can imagine how he must have felt, when he learnt about himself being left out of the World Cup squad. Just a couple of hours after he had surpassed Pele’s record in terms of strike rate. He now has a strike rate of 0.946 goals per match, compared to Pele’s 0.931. Not much water has flown in the Amazon since he overtook Zico, this season, to become the second highest goalscorer in the history of soccer, only behind the greatest of them all, Edson Arantes de Nescimento, Pele. Bizarre, they say.

If Romario is the eternal romantic of football – though with a hint of tragedy – Roberto Baggio is the tragic hero. The wonderfully skilled football wizard was a star of Italy’s performance in last three World Cups. He too, like Romario, has been kept at bay for the showdown in Korea and Japan. A star that the ‘divine ponytail’ was, he was no less a fall guy. Who would forget his ‘miss’ in the penalty shoot-outs in the 1998 World Cup final. This scribe, being one of the Baggio fans, had bet a hundred rupee on the penalty shot, although supporting Brazil for the Cup. When his shot failed to enter the goal, amidst shouts of ‘oh! nos’ and ‘uff’, I tried to offer Rs 100 note to the winner of the bet, he refused. "Well, at least on this occasion. I think all of us have lost," was all he said. The whole incident made this scribe realise what the ‘divine ponytail’ meant to Italy, and more to football. Alas, only if Trapattoni believed the same.

There are more of those impressionists, who may have had left a mark, given a chance, in Korea and Japan. Patrick Kluivert, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Edgar Davids, David Bergcamp, Marcelo Salas, Adrian Ilie, Ali Daei, Faustino Asprilla and many more… the list is long. However wonderful the new stars be, these will be missed.

"To be considered great, a footballer has to have taken part in at least one World Cup, otherwise his record of achievements will never be complete," – said Ivan Zamorano once, Chilean captain in the last edition of the Cup and one of the most flamboyant of the present generation footballers.

"I might go to Alcoholics Anonymous, but I think it’d be difficult for me to be anonymous," said George Best, one of the all time greats of football and arguably the best ever player never to have played in the World Cup, on himself when he learnt that he need clinical assistance to get rid of alcoholism. The point here is: All these players may not be seen at the biggest football stage. But, can they be forgotten?

Cometh the moment

The kick off and drama begin at the Charkhal Adda, Guruju Ko Chaur and Girl’s School of Dilli Bazar where a young boy of 15 started playing football. Before actually getting an opportunity to kick an inflated ball his career, as was normal for all the average Nepalese kids, began with "Bhogate". The love for the for and infatuation with football let him acquire enough knowledge of World Cup Football Championships since 1958 when for the first time Brazil won the Jules Rimet Cup. That skinny Nepali kid was baptised with Samba football and from that moment Nascimento became his idol and football god. One must have easily guessed that the little kid was this humble writer himself and Mr. Nascimento was the greatest of all "Pele", absolutely no comparison of any sort.

The old adage, "Cometh the moment. Cometh the man", I believe, comes from Old Testament. Similarly, we Hindus also have "Bhagwat Gita" and "Mahabharat" in which same kind of holy proverb is inscribed.

I categorically like to declare my ignorance about the football history before 1958 Sweden World Cup. That does not, however, mean that there were no heroes or legends before that period but my scant and limited knowledge of five preceding World Cups before 1958 has forbidden me to dare write about them and their heroes.

After the tragic and fateful episode at the Maracana Stadium in 1950 final, Brazil began to realise that football is not only a game or passion but a religion as well. Losing to Uruguay meant a national disaster and calamity of such proportion and magnitude that each Brazilian present in that giant stadium on that day, if reminded of what had happened, still expresses the shock and trauma with bewildering emotions and watery eyes. For them recalling that moment means an insult and even a sacrilege.

Sweden and rest of the world in 1958 witnessed the birth of a legend. Pele with magical dribbling, acrobatic kicking, dazzling speed, skillful positioning and pin point passing-all the desired attributes of a great character in the making- became and instant heartthrob of millions. His super natural prowess wholesomely mesmerized and galvanized the world football scenario and fraternity. Obviously, whatever he did was pure magic. And, he was just 16 years old.

1962 world cup- Continuation of the magical show

In Chile, a matured Pele along with Vava, Didi, Garrincha and the rest of the party continued to demonstrate and teach the world a few more tricks of Samba Football. Though an injury incapacitated Pele and for obvious regions he missed key matches, nonetheless, Brazil easily and emphatically outplayed the opposition. Coming in for injured Pele as a substitute another very young Brazilian, Amarildo wore the mantle of Pele comfortably, competently and authoritatively.

Violent, unabated and must often unlawful scathing tackles by Bulgarians, Hungarians and Portuguese players alike reduced Pele to a cripple in the football pitch of Liverpool. The opposition, it seemed, was desperately intent and focused on "No Pele, no Brazil" theme of destruction. The sight of a sad and disgusted but greatest of them all limping out of the ground helped by his masseur Emerico and doctor still haunts this writer till date.

Brazil once again won the Mexico World Cup at the Aztec Stadium of Mexico City with the heavenly display of all out or whirlwind brand of football. Pele again was the star show. Who can forget the opening goal for Brazil headed in by Pele rising above Italian defense after Italy got an early lead through Boningsena in the final. European style of football has always been regarded or branded for its tactical and strategic methods.

Amidst these historical background one man rose above all in 1978 World Cup. Mario Kempes is the name of that flamboyant man whose exploits remain embedded into the chronicle as well as the memoir.

If Italy is often known for ultra defensive strategy, Germany, on the other hand, is popular for full proof tactical form of football. To come up with positive results the Germans believe in spending long hours on the drawing table and only 1 and 1/2 hour on the ground itself. Their football, therefore, is more proactive than reactive. Brazil again conclusively claiming to be the super power, sets a record of winning the World Cup Football Championship for the unprecedented fourth time in the U.S.A.

Football wizard in the mould of Garrincha, the Little Bird, Romario becomes super man with his poaching ability and tenacity, ball sense and killing instinct. Apart from Italy, West Germany and England, France for the first time was crowned with the soccer olive branches. The Cup once again was shuttled back to Europe.

In conclusion, it seems appropriate for me to dare change the title of my article and rephrase it, Cometh the Man, Cometh the Time.

Dowry Mania

One of the worst anomalies existing in our society is dowry. There is no recorded data as to when this trend came into practice. At the marriage of his daughter, Sita; king Janak offered lots of jewels and other commodities as well as many horses and maids. After getting married with Tibetan king, Srongtson Gampo; Bhrikuti took Nepalese idols and statues with her as dowry. These instances reinforce the fact that dowry might have evolved in the past with the custom of bidding farewell to the bride with some memorable things as well as immediately necessary belongings not to include then kings’ and their coteries’ flamboyancy.

There is a marked rise in the ostentatious tendency of wealth, power and publicity in our society and observing the marriage ceremony with much fanfare is the accustomed practice of social elite. Marriage has been, thus, turned into such social festivity in upper class society where groom’s side tends to make it unique, magnificent and spectacularly singular and it will be reciprocated from bride’s side with bountiful dowry. With the growing animosity and rivalry among the neighbors and relatives, people are hell-bent to outsmart one another so as to carve a special niche in the social status. In this rush, not-so-well-off people are being unknowingly dragged and severely ground.

Nepalese society was not hit by this problem earlier. Later, Terai inherited it with the outright imitation of Indian culture and gradually, its ugly tentacles spread throughout the country. By now, it is a widespread concept in the society, particularly, in Terai that the investment incurred from upbringing to education of a son is to be refunded through the marriage.

Another factor of burgeoning trend of dowry is the parasitic nature of the youths. The assets, commodities and the goods got in the form of dowry are being regarded as the mainstay of livelihood by many youths. Lack of quality education and increasing unemployment are the breeding ground for growing trend of expecting others’ assets among the youths. Besides, well-educated people demand a fair chunk of dowry and employed people are hot cakes to be sold in the bridal market. Greed and passion for wealth have indelibly resided in their psyche too.

People are so much so audacious that they have no hesitation at all to put forth an open demand - be it in kind or cash as if it is entirely their rights. Thus, women are considered as mere commodities. In many Terai regions, women are being physically tortured in the pretext of dowry. Even after the marriage is over, there is no respite in the bridal side. Myriad of demands piles up later too. Events like dousing women by kerosene oil and setting them afire as well as throwing them from the top of the house are, no more, uncommon these days.

Poor families are ever on the turmoil and uncertainty. To be many daughters in a family is a serious problem and their marriage is a daunting challenge for them. Baby girls are considered as the bane of the society and are cursed right from their birth. Even many fetus are aborted to avoid the baby girls and many grown up daughters are killed by their own parents. Hence, gender disparity is conspicuously felt. Being a deeply seated practice, it’s hard to get rid of this social aberration overnight. People in favor of dowry opine that we can’t curtail the individual’s rights of providing some help, better to say, a token of love and remembrance. Those who are providing continuation to this trend assert, ‘What’s wrong to offer something for the happiness of the daughters? They, no longer, remain the burden of the family in future.’ Parents should change their notion that their responsibility towards daughters is over once they get hitched. The mutual help and back-up should go in the latter days as well.

Women have their major role to play in this regard. Since they are the worst victims, they should come up against this menace and exhibit boldness. In this connection, it’s worthwhile to mention an exemplary reality occurred in Asham, India few years back. In the marriage ceremony, one groom suddenly added more in the itinerancy of already excessively loaded list of dowry. He proclaimed before the attendees with an air of boastfulness that he wouldn’t accept the bride unless a motorbike is offered to him. At this, bride’s father turned pale however, he ventured to fulfill the new demand. Meanwhile, the bride offered that very motorbike before the groom at the time of streaking Sindoor at her hair saying,’ Please, put on Sindoor at the bike and get married with it. I’m not with you.’ Society should dare boycott them who demand exorbitant dowry and torment the bride and should encourage the suppressed voices of womenfolk.

With the span of modernization, there is a gradual decline in the trend of dowry. By the next generation, society’s perspective towards dowry will sure come through a drastic change. Youth are to be instilled with the notion that dowry has a silhouette of slavery and society never takes a progressive stride by keeping this system intact. Rather, it leads the society to nowhere but the abyss of backwardness. Our entire existing attitude needs a sea change in this regard. Government should play a decisive role to mitigate this practice. It should discourage the excessive display of wealth at the marriage. Local bodies should drum up this initiative and should take stringent punitive measures against offenders. Hence, it needs a concerted effort from all walks of life to retard dowry system.

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