House Rules

establishing rules

The best time to establish rules is before the dog even arrives in the home. Some rules are easy and obvious. Don't bite people, come when called, no peeing or pooping in the house. Other rules are more subjective. You have to decide how you feel about dogs on the furniture, or jumping up on people, or taking toys inside (or outside) or begging. All the members of the family should be in agreement about the rules. If one person allows the dog on the furniture and the others don't, you'll have a very confused, unhappy and untrained dog.

being consistant

Once the dog's rules have been established they must be enforced. Every time. If you allow the dog to break the rules in "special circumstances" he won't know why things are different. But he'll have to test the rule next time to see if he can get away with it again. If it's only allowed on Tuesday afternoons he'll never know what the rules are.

It's acceptible to allow certain things "by invitation only". He can get on the couch if you invite him, but not if you don't. Bear in mind he'll get on it when you aren't home, almost certainly. But if you're home and don't invite him he'll stay off.

not too many rules

You shouldn't have too many rules for your dog. If you don't intend to enforce a rule you shouldn't make it in the first place. He not only won't obey that rule he'll also learn that your rules are not enforced.

Sister sites:
Auntie Donna's Dog care and training tips

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