Doggone Etiquette —

Teacher! Teacher!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

Dogs and kids are taught a lot of the same things that are just basic good manners. One of them has to do with talking. The “golden rule” (as it used to be labeled) is “only speak when you’re spoken to” and that applies to any of your uncalled-for barks and growls. But there are lots of times when a person asks you to speak and nine times out of ten you’ll get a reward if you do. It may be a biscuit, or you’ll be taken for a walk, or a swim, or something else you might like. It’s a doggie “yes.” You learn this the same way you learn everything else – by getting it right every time. So what have you taught those VIPeople of yours? A lot more than they give you credit for, I’ll bet.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

When we think about a dog speaking, most of us consider only the negatives of barking and growling, which would be like thinking of people only in terms of shouting and swearing. We’ve been through this dog talk business before, so let’s look at it a bit differently, from how our dogs speak to us and in doing so, actually teach us in positive ways.

Whether or not you set out to do it, you have taught your dog all sorts of clever things beyond basic obedience. But think for a minute of all the things every dog you have ever owned has taught you. It can be mind-boggling if you have a good memory. All you have to do is to respond affirmatively just once to whatever it is a dog has asked you to do and he will try it again, and again and again! Ha! And you thought you were so clever in teaching him all those “sit-stay” commands. Positive repetitive teaching works both ways, as dogs quickly discover.

Let’s say Rufus barks as someone walks by the window and you get up to see what the noise is all about. The next time he does it you repeat the scenario but tell him not to bark. If you repeat this a third time, you are merely responding positively to his “bark-come-see” command. In order to teach him not to bark, you stay put and use a correction with a distraction. In other words, you have to undo what he has taught you to do – and not to come when you’re called!

If your dog scratches at the door when he wants to go out and you go along with it, he has taught you to be his doorman. If his paw-scratching ruins the paint, that’s your problem. What happens when you want to go out – dare we say it – without Rufus? Does he beg to go with you? And do you sometimes give in? If so, he’s a winner yet again and he’ll keep right on begging every time! One solution is to teach the dog a word or two – “bye!” or “be good” – that tells him he’s staying home. Use that word and leave; don’t make a big deal out of your departure.

The toy dropped at your feet (or in your lap) clearly says, “Let’s play” and if your response should happen to be negative, Rufus will go off and find another toy in an attempt to interest you. And, of course, to show how accommodating he can be as your teacher.

Go through an average day keeping track of similar things and you’ll be surprised (perhaps shocked) to discover how much your dog has taught you to do for, and with, him. Some might say that going along with the dog’s requests is merely spoiling him, but in fact, it is sharing. And isn’t that what life is all about? Children who grow up with dogs will never lack for their share of doggie memories.

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.