Here’s what I did that worked extremely well, and what you can try with your own dog.

Let them earn freedom.

That’s it - it’s that simple. But I’m sure it can be confusing so I’ll explain.

Most dog owners that I’ve worked with, start the process the wrong way.

They give freedom and then try to set the boundary AFTER. As an example, if you don’t want your dog to grab food quickly and eat anything around, the best way to start this isn’t to wait until the habit has already been approved as ok.

What many dog owners will do is 1) allow a bad behavior to go unchecked until 2) it becomes abrasive and no longer “cute”, because the dog is bigger or acting out more and then 3) they get frustrated and don’t enjoy the experience of owning a dog.

(Most of my clients are stuck around step 2 or 3)

What the correct version of this path looks like is this:

1) Set a boundary very early, before any behavior is developed.

2) Reward your dog heavily for honoring that boundary.

3) Start to give more freedom to them within the boundary and reward again.

Most people who get frustrated with their dogs don’t actually have a bad dog.

It’s rare that I’ll find someone who has a “bad dog” - the dog has just learned bad habits.

The secret to having a dog that works well with you, your family, and other dogs, is setting the right habits early and then giving freedom.

The expectation is also really high for your dog. You expect too much out of them too soon. This will create frustration.

Instead also have times where your dog can be a dog.

Don’t constrict your dog too much, or they won’t be able to play in the world and learn what it means to be confident and active.

But don’t give freedom without boundaries first, or you’ll have a dog that just acts without realizing what is helpful or unhelpful in having a safe, healthy, positive environment.

This week, work on those boundaries!

Talk soon.

Donald “Creating Boundaries” Hutcherson