Dog Rules

 CattleDog Publishing - The Legacy of Dr. Sophia Yin

The Perfect Puppy Company

 

Rules.

We need them. Our dogs need them. Rules create order, predictability & clarity. They make navigating our way though life much easier.

But…they need to be clear, fair & consistent.

Have you taught your dog what your rules are?

Is it a reasonable thing to ask of them?

Are the rules the same all the time?

If the answer to any of these is ‘no’ then it’s unfair to get frustrated when your dog ‘breaks’ those rules.

There are very few absolutes and what your rules should be will vary based on your lifestyle & your dog. And it’s always worth considering whether your rules are actually serving a useful purpose or whether they are just petty micromanagement. My rules for my own dog are relatively few but all serve a real purpose, rather than just exerting control for control’s sake -

• come when I call you

• don’t get in other dogs’ (or people’s) faces

• greet people or dogs calmly & politely

• walk on a loose lead

• vacate the furniture when I ask

• settle quietly when we’re out in a public place like a cafe or a pub

These are fair, useful, consistent and are maintained kindly with no recourse to force or coercion.

Rules aren’t a dirty word. Rules bring freedom & predictability. Dogs need them.