K-9 Solutions Dog Training, Inc.: Cloning and it's idiocy

Friday, February 22, 2008

Cloning and it's idiocy

I wasn't planning on another post quite so soon but I read something over at itchmo that annoyed me greatly and thinking about it made my head want to explode.

http://www.itchmo.com/ It seems that for a mere $150,000 you can get your pet cloned by a company. Put your order in now.

The flaws as I see them?

First, you are only getting a genetic duplicate of your previous pet. NOT the same behaviors or temperment.

Second, there are pets DYING in shelters EVERY FREAKING DAY and you want to spend ridculous gobs of money to bring another into the world because you can't let go of the past?

Third, imagine what that amount of money could do for your local shelter or rescue ON TOP of that fact that you could adopt a pet, and perhaps be saving that life, at the same time.

It is ridculous on so many levels that I find it obscene. Yet another example of our "I want it now." society being idioticly shortsighted. Selfish on a grand scale in my opinion.

Here's a better idea for your excess money, (because if you can afford the cost of cloning in my book, it's excess) how about you support a cause like My Wonderful Dog or other similar programs. Or share the wealth and improve our planet in some way. Build a shelter and name it after your past pet, a much more honorable memorial to their memory. Don't waste it reach it for a goal that is unattainable.

***The dog in the top photo are my first two akitas, Shimo and Kuma. I love and miss them dearly but would never clone them because I would still not have the essence of THEM back.***

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: I have to admit, part of me would love to clone Luce and have her from puppyhood. I see so much potential in her to be an amazing working dog, and I wonder, if raised differently, what she could have been.; February 23, 2008 at 2:18 PM

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My Story

In 1992, after serving for 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, I decided to settle down in my hometown in Mid-Coast Maine. I got my first dog, (as a bona-fide adult) an akita, and joined the local kennel club. I also joined akita rescue and learned alot about the breed. In turn I began helping educate others. This taught me how important training is for ALL dogs. Thus began my (unofficial) foray into the world of dog training.

I worked for a few years at a local veterinarians office and then began working at our local humane society. While there I saw many dogs being given up for simple training issues. About that time the kennel club began looking for a new trainer to teach group obedience classes. I decided I might be able to handle that challenge once I had more official training of my own.

MY TRAINING:

I found an excellent trainer to mentor with and in October of 2001 after a year of hands on training and study I completed my apprenticeship under Lloyd Williams of Bear Brook Kennels. During that apprenticeship, in addition to learning all the basics, I got to assist in the training of police dogs in narcotics, tracking and cadaver dogs with the medical examiners office.

Not only did I learn how to be a dog trainer, more importantly, I learned how to teach owners how they could communicate more effectively with their dogs. I consider that training just the beginning in my canine education. I continue to attend seminars and keep current through reading about recent advancements in dog training methods. I am a former member of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers.

My training was sponsored by The Humane Society of Knox County and The Mid-Coast Kennel Club of Maine.

MY METHODS:

I use positive reinforcement methods whenever possible during training sessions. Positive reinforcement helps make the training experience more enjoyable for both the dog and owner, producing a better learning environment. I also utilize hand signals in my training which is very useful with deaf dogs as well as hearing ones. My methods include lure/reward and marker training. (with or without a clicker depending on owner preference)

MY GOALS:

My goal in training is to help pet owners develop a better relationship with their dogs. Many times that includes teaching about canine communication and behavior. I also like to help dogs stay out of the shelters and in their homes whenever possible. Training for those unruly dogs can make that a reality for some families.

MY OTHER JOBS:

I am currently the trainer for the HSKC's K-9 Corrections program. I also work as a receptionist at a local veterinary hospital.

MY FAMILY:

I am happily married and the mother of two fabulous children.

Dog Training and Behavior Seminars Attended

11-09 Self Control and Focus Games with Dee Ganley CPDT/CABC/CDBC
6-09 Dog to Dog Aggression with Patricia McConnell PhD
7-08 Debunking the Dominance Myth in Training with Jean Donaldson
6-08 PitBull Education Seminar with Drayton Michaels
3-08 Aggression and Canine Compulsion Disorders with Dr. Nicholas Dodman
4-07 How to Talk Dog with Sarah Kalnajs
6-06 Understanding Canine Body Language with Trish King
4-06 Aggression in Dogs 2 Day Seminar with Brenda Aloff
10-05 Play with Me and Feisty Fidos with Pia Silvani CPDT,CABC
2005 Canine Communication, Meet your Match and and Intro to "Safer" Training with Emily Weiss PhD