They’ll Grow Out of It…NO They Won’t!

It is perfectly reasonable to expect a well-mannered dog. Don’t let anyone tell you your young dog will “just grow out of it” or that it’s just the breed or your dog’s particular temperament. Manners are a behavioral issue, and behavior can be modified.

What do I mean by well-mannered? I mean that it’s perfectly reasonable to ask your dog not to jump on visitors, pull on the leash during walks, go potty outside, and chew on your belongings. You just have to ask them in a way they can understand, and that’s where I come in.

I recently worked with a dog named Zoey who demonstrated some of these poor behaviors. She jumped on visitors and liked to rough house with a smaller dog in the home. She wasn’t house trained, and she pulled on the leash when her owner took her for walks. We solved these problems through a tried and true regimen of basic obedience training, proper leash handling techniques, place training, crate training, and by establishing a reliable and structured routine for Zoey. By learning to communicate with Zoey and by giving her life some structure, the owner boosted Zoey’s confidence and figured how to keep her dog’s hyperactivity and potty accidents from getting out of hand.

Zoey also had some nervous habits like getting scared in the car or in new places, and the training helped with these problems, too, by establishing a bond of trust and respect between Zoey and her owner. By gradually introducing her to new things, Zoey’s owner was able to keep her nervous energy as well as her behavior in check.

If you have doubts, questions, or you’re ready to see what I can do for you and your dog, please give me a call at 800.649.7297. I’d love to speak with you about our programs and techniques.