Your dog, your rules;
This week during a dog training class with a new student, I was presented with the following problem; “Theo, I don’t want my dog to jump on the couch, because it’s made of rather delicate material and I also want to teach my dog that he has his own bed. However, when I visit relatives or they visit me, they let my dog jump on the couch with them; what do I do with this?”. Well, my answer to that is very simple: Your dog, your rules;
When we take responsibility for keeping a pet, it goes without saying that you set rules. Both for your housemates and for the animal. Other persons must also abide by those rules. POINT !
I myself also have my rules for my dogs and I demand that all persons respect and apply those rules. I don’t care if it concerns adults, children or otherwise. I have my rules for the protection and well-being of my pet. If my visitors are not willing to follow my rules, I’d rather they leave than ruin my dog.
A very strict rule I use is: NO ONE should give my dog food or treats. I don’t want to create a “trash” from my dog and I also want to protect him from a miscreant letting him eat something harmful. Giving treats that a dog is not used to can also cause stomach upset (pain) and diarrhea in the animal. Even worse; for example, if someone feeds chocolate to your dog, it can cause paralysis in the animal, which can even be fatal for the animal.
Everyone who visits me or deals with my dog will receive a clear explanation of the rules from me. However, if the person in question refuses to abide by my rules, they will be told very directly and penetratingly from me that they must leave my dog alone or, even more stringently, the person in question is no longer welcome.
We Dutch are known for being very “direct” sometimes, without regard for persons. Even my own mother experienced this once.
During a party, I saw her secretly feeding pieces of her cake to my dog. She knew very well, however, that this was absolutely forbidden. I then turned off the music and turned to my mother. In the meantime, she was already stiff with shock (because she was caught) in her chair. I then made it very clear to her that I would rather have her leave my house if she would not obey my rules regarding my dogs.
Rules I had (and still have) to protect my animals and which she knew very well. Well…. I understand that Italians will never react so harshly to their own mother, but the Dutch are a bit more headstrong in that regard.
My dog, my rules; without regard of persons.
If you have any questions and/or comments, I’d love to hear from you.
