The ‘Doggie’ Bill of Rights
- The right to sleep in the most comfortable and safest place within the packs territory. By allocating the pup a sleeping place as far away as possible from the bedroom you will be indicating to him that he is the lowest ranking member of his new pack.
- The right to eat first. By having family meals before the pup is fed you will be indicating that the human members of his pack are higher than he is and he will get the food that is left. This can be leftovers as long as they are not fed from the table but placed in his dish after the table has been cleared. (Remember human leftovers alone do not provide sufficient nutrition for a dog). The pack leader also has the right to go back for more if he decides he is still hungry. By lifting the dish from your pup while he is eating, and then replacing it, you are further instilling on his mind that you are of a higher rank than he is.
- The right to win all games of strength. To teach a pup that to growl and tug will result in his winning of the toy is indicating to him that he is in fact of a higher rank than you are. Playing games with your pup is a good form of training but you must win the toy nine times out of ten. Allow him to have the toy but keep him on lead so that you have overall control. The last thing you want is for the pup to run off with his prize with you chasing after him to retrieve it.
- The right to go first through doorways, upstairs etc. By allowing your pup to rush up the stairs or through the door in front of you, you are allowing him to assume a higher rank. The lower ranking dogs in any pack will hold back to allow the Alpha figure his right of proceeding first. Teach your pup to wait at doorways for you to enter ahead of him. Do this on lead so you have control, and reward the correct behaviour afterwards.
- The right to demand or refuse attention. Try to ignore your pup if he pushes into you for petting. By doing this you will indicate that he has no right to demand attention from you as the leader of his pack. By calling him to you for a stroke when he is engaged in some other activity, will indicate once again that you decide when he will be petted.
Points to Ponder
and I will do my best to please you.
Be Fair …
tell me what you want before you correct me, then praise me when I do it.
Be Consistent …
so I can learn right from wrong. Give your commands clearly and make your signals distinct, so I won’t be confused.
Don’t expect me to work after I’ve eaten …
that’s when I am sleepy and lazy.
Don’t point your finger in my face …
give me confidence and security.
Don’t smack me if I need correcting …
otherwise I will become hand-shy.
Be Generous with your Praise …
it is the best reward I can have.
Be Patient …
I can absorb just so much at a time.
Don’t lose your temper and hit me in anger …
we will both be upset if you do.
Don’t grab at my coat or pinch my skin …
it hurts.
If you don’t expect a miracle I will improve …
if you give me time.
Never punish me unless I deserve it…
was it your fault I did wrong?