The Year of the Dog – Part 2
by Andy Sands, Certified Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant
Last week for Training Tuesday, we began the series “The Year of the Dog” in which we are discussing the 10 Resolutions for Rover. We began with Resolution #1: No Jumping. Today we continue on in strong fashion to numbers 2 and 3.
Resolution #2: No begging for food.
Sounds simple enough, right? However, it is extremely difficult, because we often reinforce the behavior without even knowing it. My wife, Amy, and I will make some popcorn to enjoy, and without thinking twice we make a game of tossing our dog some as well.
In doing so, we are teaching her to look at us when we eat, and expecting to be rewarded for it. We are, in effect, teaching her to beg.
Resolution #3: Be consistent.
Dogs, much like children, need clear and consistent messages. This means that everyone in the household should follow the same rules, use the same hand signals, the same voice commands, etc. It does no good for the dog to be allowed on the couch by Junior, but Senior does not allow it. One helpful hint is to have a family meeting to discuss and agree upon the “house rules.” Make the house rules as a family and be consistent across the board.
You now have three resolutions to work on with your canine companion. Join me next Tuesday for Resolutions 4 and 5 for our Year of the Dog.
Andy Sands is the owner of Good CitiZEN Dog Training here on the Suncoast. He is also a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. Good CitiZEN Dog Training serves Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
