Is the Family Dog Driving Everyone Crazy?
Untrained family dogs are not only a source of irritation, but are dangerous as well. Rambunctious dogs knock over toddlers, innocently nipping and scratching. Aggressive dogs pull at the leash and cause falls, bruises and broken bones. Ill-mannered dogs dash through doorways, cause tripping accidents and risk getting hit in the street.
Your family probably already has worked together to decide which dog to bring home, what to name it and how to share the workload of feeding, walking and cleaning. Shouldn’t you also team up as a family to train your pet? Teamwork in training provides the consistency that guarantees you’ll be on your way to having a well-behaved dog everyone loves.
Take a dog training class as a family or appoint one person to learn and then teach everyone else. Formal training eliminates confusion, especially for the dog. Dog training classes also give real world practice for taking your dog to the park, the veterinarian’s office or on a walk down the street.
Create goals for your dog’s behavior. Have a family meeting to discuss and write down behaviors everyone does and does not want to see in your dog. Is the dog allowed on the couch? Where does the dog sleep at night? How should the dog behave on a leash? Can he have table scraps?
Begin with the end in mind. While a rambunctious 7-pound puppy may be cute, you want him to become a well-mannered 70-pound adult. Start age-appropriate training right away. Older dogs can be retrained. Correct bad habits by training with the new “goal behavior” clearly in mind.
Make a note of the times when problems arise and use teamwork to intervene. For instance, assign someone to closely monitor the dog’s behavior while you answer the door. Once your dog understands your expectations for his behavior (go to a designated place, remain calm, receive a reward), he’ll require less attention.
Have follow-up family meetings to review what is and is not working. Discuss any problems individuals are having and review training techniques. Watch or read dog training programs together to get help with specific problems.
Dogs are family members. A well-mannered family pet generates feelings of happiness and pride for everyone who has worked together to care for and train it.
Karen Kight, her husband, and three children, teamed up to train their German shepherd and Toy Fox Terrier. Their family dogs inspire happy thoughts…most of the time.