Doggone Etiquette —

ABC?

By Bardi McLennan

 

A Word to the Dog:           

Would you know what your VIPerson was talking about if he or she said, “Rufus, C” or “Rufus, O”? No, I’m sure you would not know that they really meant “Come” or “Over.” But in a strange way, that is how people are talking to each other these days. Let’s hope they don’t try it too often on you. How could you be expected to figure out the difference between “C” and “See” or “O” and “Oh”? People-talk, no matter what language they speak, is hard enough for you dogs, but if they shorten it too much, most of you will never catch onto what they’re saying.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

It probably all began with SOS, but these days everything imaginable is conveyed via three letters of the alphabet, or by similar-sounding condensations of words. We are on our way to eliminating the written language online as well as in all other forms of communication. There are those connected to sports such as MLB, NBA, MLS and NFL to name a few. Plus, just about every medical disease, cure, prevention and medication! The problems occur when those shortcuts are broadly used and easily taken entirely out of context.                 

Fortunately, there are not yet too many of these tri-letter “words” that apply to our dogs, but having said that, let’s try this out on you dog owners. Do you know what “TDP” means? I’m sure you haven’t a clue what it stands for because I just made it up, so let me explain. In this case, each letter refers to two words — a positive and a negative. Here we go:     

“T” = Teach; don’t Train                

“D” = Discipline; don’t Dominate                

“P” = Prevent; don’t Punish                          

We have training classes to “train” our dogs, primarily to get a specific response from the dog to a specific command or signal. In other words, the dog is trained to perform in a robotic manner, which is fine for starters. However, what we “teach” our dogs is how we want them to conduct themselves as well-behaved members of our family and blend into our family routine. Pretty much the same difference applies to our kids. Your child might be “trained” to be an acrobat, but you “teach” a child how to respect his elders, to have good table manners, and so forth. Teaching a dog allows it to learn through their natural process of observation.

At one time it was considered essential to “dominate” a dog in order to make it obey our every whim instantly. That is no longer true.

The person teaching Rufus should, of course, be firm and clear in what is and what is not acceptable, but that’s accomplished by a friendly teacher not a dominant boss. The emphasis today is on the correct use of this “discipline” which means we’re back to teaching!                                 

Now we’re down to the final word of TDP — Prevent, don’t punish. It is so much easier to prevent the everyday problems we are apt to run into with our dogs than it is to (1) catch the dog in the act, and (2) restrain our angry/ furious/ horrified reaction, and (3) to punish fairly. So, keep people food out of the dog’s reach. Put things away where they belong, not where Rufus can claim them as found treasure. Get the dog accustomed to a tone of voice or a certain look that means “uh-uh!”

Introduce Rufus to people, young and old, and to other dogs large and small. Your attitude and pleasure in these social activities will teach him how he should behave. Whether you are teaching a puppy or a new older dog, begin as you would with a non-verbal toddler. Come to think of it, that “P” could stand for patience, too! 

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.