Teaching Your Dog Better Manners at Home
Tired of your dog jumping on guests or bolting out the door? You aren't alone. Let's work together to build their impulse control so you can enjoy a calmer, happier home.
A dog that waits patiently to exit the car is a safe dog! This simple 'wait' command prevents them from bolting into traffic. It's a crucial impulse control exercise we can teach right from your driveway.
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Rascal is 8 years old, and we work on his training every day. It's never too late to build better habits and a stronger bond!
Does your dog jump all over visitors? It's a common issue! I have a simple, 4-step process to help you teach them polite greetings, making visits from friends and family much more relaxed.
The first step to stopping jumping is teaching a solid 'sit' cue. This gives your dog an alternative, polite behavior to offer when they're excited to greet someone.
When teaching your dog not to jump, ask your visitors not to interact with them until they are sitting calmly. This reinforces that calm behavior gets them the attention they want.
High-pitched, excited greetings from visitors will only fuel your dog's jumping. I advise clients to ask their guests to be calm and quiet when they first enter the house.
While your dog is learning, keeping them on a leash when visitors arrive gives you control and prevents them from practicing the jumping behavior. It's a great management tool.
About Building Good Manners at Home and Outside
Before you try to stop the jumping, remember your dog isn't being 'naughty'—they’re just thrilled you're home! Instead of simply pushing them away, start by teaching a solid 'sit' cue. This gives them a clear, polite alternative behavior that earns them the human attention they crave, effectively replacing the chaos with a calm, rewarding greeting.
It Starts With You
Many owners come to me frustrated because their dog seems 'out of control' the moment someone walks through the door or the car door opens. The truth is, your dog is likely just feeding off your own energy. If you’re anxious or rushing, they’ll be, too. My approach focuses on you becoming the calm, consistent leader your dog needs to feel safe.
Moving Beyond 'No'
When we talk about building good manners, we aren't talking about punishment. We are talking about teaching your dog what to do instead. Whether it's:
- Polite Greetings: Teaching a 4-step process where guests ignore the dog until they sit calmly.
- Door Safety: Using the 'wait' command to stop bolting, ensuring your dog stays safe whether you're at home or exiting the car.
- Impulse Control: Building the focus required for your dog to listen to you, even when there’s a squirrel or another dog nearby.
Why Virtual Coaching Works
We don't need a training facility to solve these problems. In fact, training at home is better because it's exactly where the issues happen! Through video consultations, I can watch how you and your dog interact in your living room and give you real-time feedback on your body language. You'll learn to spot your dog's triggers before they act out, and we'll practice management techniques—like using a leash for control or a 'place' cue—that you can implement immediately.
Remember, consistency is everything. If you are willing to put in the work and be the role model your dog needs, we can get to that place where they are just prancing around happily!
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