Fair & Clear
(Communication & Expectations)
A canine's first weeks or months in a new home is sort of like a human's first days in a new job. Everyone's a little nervous: Who's friendly? Where's the bathroom? The snacks here on the counter, are those for everyone?
But here's the difference: While sussing out the protocol with new coworkers requires a degree of subtlety, it's important to get straight to the point with your new pup. Your dog wants to get things right (trust us), but she can only do so when she knows for sure what you expect of her.
So it's your responsibility to be as clear as possible in setting expectations and establishing house rules. Don't worry, even if your dog's been part of the household for months, it's not too late to begin this process though it may take a little longer to form new habits.
Training is the first step; nearly all communication between you and your dog is founded in conditioning and reinforcement training, so whether you pursue it on your own, take a class together, or enlist the help of a private trainer, this piece is non-negotiable.
But just as important: being consistent. If you've decided your dog is not allowed on the furniture, don't arbitrarily bend the rule and invite her up to bed when you're occasionally feeling cuddly. Even though it may not sound like it, it's actually much kinder to never permit her on the bed than to confuse her by making exceptions once in a while. Why? Consistency provides your dog a much-needed sense of order in an otherwise inscrutable human world.
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Well Why Didn't You Say So?
In order to set expectations, you've got to communicate with your pet. Dogs don't speak English, however, and you don't speak Doglish. So how is good communication established and maintained?
· Don't keep your house rules and expectations of your dog a secret. Teach her how you'd like her to behave and reward her getting it right rather than just punishing her for getting it "wrong". · Teach your dog ESL. Reinforce what you learn in training classes by practicing in other settings. That way, your dog learns "down" means "down" whether you're in the front yard, in the living room, or at the park. · Practice nothing in life is free. Insist your dog to perform a behavior before she gets rewarded. For instance, before you toss her a tennis ball, ask her to sit. (This fosters good behavior as well as good communication.) · Give your dog feedback for doing the right thing. Example? Praise her in a sweet voice when she's walking nicely on leash. She'll that she's pleasing you, even when you're not giving her a specific command. |
