If I've learned anything about dog owners it's that those with the worst behaved dogs have the longest list of excuses.
'It's not his fault. He didn't start it. She only wants to play. He never does it at home,' are programmed responses to every unruly incident. You have to take responsibility for your dog's education and excusing every indiscretion won't help him one iota.
If you're convinced your dog understands he must stay off the furniture you must ensure he obeys but you (and ALL your family) must be consistent. Dogs don't understand grey areas they are either allowed to do something or they are not. Permitting your dog to lie on the sofa because he's not well will only confuse him. In the dog world pack rules are inviolable. That's how a pack works. Allowing rules to be broken is a sign of weakness that will not be lost on your dog.
Using your voice to reprimand your dog is vital. I don't mean shouting but guttural growling when he misbehaves and high-pitched praise when he does the correct thing is vital. If he ignores you you must be prepared to follow up or he'll regard you as all bark and no bite.
How much 'bite' you use depends on the personality of your dog. Little Tally, my trusted Labrador, is a sensitive soul and a growl from me is enough to stop her in her tracks but Cobra is a tough challenging dog who thinks he rules the world. I have to shake him from time to time to remind him who's in charge but I NEVER excuse his bad behaviour.
You and your dog are a team jointly responsible for all behaviour issues. When people praise him for his exemplary behaviour at least half of that acclaim is yours as it is when he misbehaves. Your dog's behaviour is a mirror image of his training.
Almost all dog behaviour is learned and/or reinforced in the home environment. Owners do not set out to teach bad behaviour it's often created with the best of intentions. Jumping up, lunging at other dogs, aggression and pulling on the lead all start in the home.
Do not be a passenger in your dog's life-take control. If you do not approve of a particular behaviour you must say so in a way that he understands and QUIETLY praise him the moment you get the correct response.
That's how he will know what you expect of him. Keep your commands simple and consistent and always follow through.
There are lots of tips to help you on my website www.vicbarlow.com or join one of my training classes by emailing me at: [email protected].
