To make a plan to deal with something that annoys or irks you about your dog
In the last challenge you focused on the things you love about your dog.
Today you’re going to choose one thing you don’t like so much about your dog’s behaviour – and you’re going to make a plan to do something about it.
No dog is perfect. Most dogs are generally well-behaved. But there’s always some small thing that’s annoying.
Perhaps your dog barks at silly things.
Perhaps she dashes about on walks, winding the lead round your legs so you’re in danger of falling over.
Perhaps he persists in running up and down the fence outside chasing anyone going past.
Perhaps she keeps stealing your children’s toys.
Perhaps he jumps all over your visitors, so people don’t want to come and see you anymore.
You need to decide what the annoying thing is you want to change.
Once you’ve decided what it is, make a plan to deal with it and /or change things.
It can be difficult to know where to start, so here are some pointers to think about:
– can you prevent your dog doing it? Keep doors closed, use a shorter lead for walking, make sure there’s always a toy around so she doesn’t have to steal things
– can you ignore it? Sometimes the simplest thing to do it to decide that you can live with it and you just won’t let yourself get annoyed by it in future.
– can you manage it? Use a lead when visitors come, keep children’s toys tidied away, shut the front room door so your dog can’t bark at things though the window.
If it’s a more serious problem, then ask for some help. Check out the website for details of my Consultation Calls or House Visits.
Keep training,
Carol