Tips on Talking with Your Pooch

Your dog cannot say the words to you, "please open the door so that I can do outside and use the bathroom."  Now maybe some of you think they can, however you are interpreting what they're actions are telling you to do.  Sometimes you can train your dog to ring a bell and this alerts us as to when they need to go outside.  Some of us have pet doors so that we don't have to interpret their actions and they can go outside when they want to.  I just wanted to let you know, from a pet trainer, what they're actions are telling us or asking us to do for them.

Some dogs will do things in their own special way,  For example, my Aunt's dog used to go in circles around and around in the same spot.  This meant she had to go outside.  Cute, right?  Other dogs will bark at you go to the door that you always use and bark there.  This is the only way dogs have of communicating so please let them outside when they're asking.  Don't ignore them or else you're dog will find another way of communicating, like chewing up the furniture or doing something else you may not like. 

Something else that they do is bark at strangers outside or inside.  They are warning us and that is what they are meant to do from birth so don't yell and get upset with them.  Tell them all is well, pet them and then show them a toy or take them in another room to get their minds off of it.  Always a positive reaction is best from you.  If you scold them and yell at them, you're telling them it's not good to bark and then you'll be sorry when a burglar is approaching.  Toys are always a good distraction and interacting with them.

Remember, positive reinforcement and treats and training is always best.  Always treat them as you would want to be treated, the "Golden Rule".  Not enough of this is followed in this life and not enough people even know what it is!  Here it is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you".  Follow this rule throughout life and you and your pet will live a long, happy life!