Photo from the-happy-dog-spot.com
There are 5 things every dog should know if you want other people to like him. Ever person wants their friends to love their dog as much as they do. Of course you have the cutest, best dog in the world. If you teach your dog these 5 simple manners, your dog will always be popular among your friends.
5. Jumping does not get attention. It does not get any attention at all including physical contact, vocal attention, or eye contact. Sitting gets attention. If you start this early in your dog’s life with you, no matter whether she’s 6 weeks or 6 months, life will be much easier for your family and friends. If your dog only gets attention while sitting, she will eventually approach all people with a sit. The critical point for you is to remember to give the dog attention when she sits. This can be difficult if your mind is on other things.
4. You have your space and your dog has his. Even if you prefer to have your dog sleep in your bed, there should still be areas of your home that are strictly for people and strictly for dogs. For example, maybe your couch is off limits so your guests don’t get a dog hair on their clothes while your dog has a bed in the living room near the couch.
3. Dog breath does not enhance a person’s dinner. Just because you enjoy your dog panting on your dinner plate doesn’t mean your friends will. In fact they will more than likely hate it. If you want to feed your dog scraps from the table [let’s ignore health risks of human food for dogs for now], do so in a location other than “from the table.” If you feed your dog one time while sitting at the dinner table, it will set a precedence that he will receive food anytime you [or anyone else] has food at the table. Instead, find a location away from the table like his food bowl, on the other side of the dining room, or in the hall. Your guests will appreciate your dog’s politeness when he waits patiently for his portion somewhere other than beside their plate.
2. Nonsense barking isn't cute. Ever. Period. Unless you provide earplugs for your guests, barking isn’t cute; especially if you bark and howl at your dog trying to make them bark. Everyone knows that dogs make an ARF sound; it really doesn’t have to be demonstrated for your friends.
1. Sit before passing through a doorway. This is more important for your dog’s safety than it is for your friends and family. If a dog knows she is supposed to sit before proceeding through a doorway, she will not dash through the front door when your company arrives. This not only makes it easier for your friends to enter your house, but also prevents your dog from running out into your “dangerous” neighborhood where cars, trucks, and who knows what else could seriously injure or even kill your dog.
So there you have it. 5 simple rules for having a mannerly dog everyone will love. Try one or two of them. Your friends will thank you.
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