After my blog post ‘What do I do when my dog does something I don’t like?’, a few people wanted specific naughty examples – and there was I thinking all the dogs I teach were little angels 
1. Recall
- Picture the scene. You’re in the local park and your dog has gone off to play with another dog.
- You’ve called once for them to come back, but they’ve chosen to continue playing.
- If you keep calling there is no consequence for your dog and they just get to practice ignoring you – not a lesson I particularly want them to learn!
- So instead of shouting yourself hoarse, go and collect them calmly and quietly and put them back on the lead.
- The consequence is simple- Ignore your recall cue = Loss of freedom
- Then do some recall games whilst on the lead and if you get great responses, you can let them off again 🙂
2. Sofa Cuddles
- My favourite way to spend an evening! 🙂 But there should be some clear rules.
- Personally I feel dogs should wait for an invite if someone is already sitting on the sofa.
- They can get on without permission if there’s no-one sitting there first.
- Sofa privileges are reserved for dogs who understand a ‘Get Off’ cue and can comply when asked.
- Should another person or dog join you on the sofa, grumbling or growling is not acceptable and you’ll be asked to get off
- The consequence here is – Bad manners on the sofa = loss of cuddles and sofa privilege
3. Front Door Manners
- Barging out of doorways is a pain – and potentially dangerous!
- I like to see my dogs can demonstrate a little self-control around a door way
- Picking a position like a Sit is a good idea. Once you’ve taught it (Susan Garrett’s ‘Crate Games’ DVD is a good way to do it – see below)
- The door opening is not their release cue to go through it, they should be waiting for a verbal release cue such as ‘OK!’
- The consequence of breaking position to rush through – door gets closed again. NB: Please watch dogs carefully so noses don’t get caught in doors!
- Ignore your Sit cue = Door shuts and it takes longer to get out and do what you want
- If this happens a lot, revise your reinforcement schedule for self-control in arousal – your dog is telling you something 😉