Most people get a pet for companionship.
Someone to share their emotions with.
Someone to care for in a way that understands our love.
But what most people don’t understand is that love and a healthy relationship has boundaries.
I often intercept these relationships and start showing those that you can still give unconditional love to your pet and have rules at the same time. Rules and boundaries don’t mean you love your pet any less, if anything it shows that you love them more by providing what they need to be successful in society.
Dogs need structure to thrive healthily in their home setting. They need someone to show them the ropes and guide them in the right direction. If we don’t chaos ensues. We see it all the time, the dog barking and demanding food or bolting out the door any chance they get or the best one is the consistent jumping while repeatedly begging them no.
Those behaviors can go away.
But you, my friend, need to be fair, but firm in your rules and guide them through consistency in a way they understand. If we just keep doting them, we create that spoiled kid that no one likes.
Boundaries and rules create healthy relationships.
And creates a balanced dog who is secure and loved.
I have a Cavalier that is a rescue and the previous owner must have thought that allowing home to do cartwheels while preparing his food was cute. All it did was amp up my other two quiet dogs. He is now down to whining outside the kitchen while I prepare his food. Is there anything more I can do. I keep him out of the kitchen, repeatedly put him back in a stay and feed him last only when he sits quietly and makes eye contact. This continues so what else do I need to do? I have used the water bottle for his other barking demands and it has been effective. He is 12 and I have had him since Dec. He has had a lot of years to practice these behaviors.
You’re on the right track by not rewarding until you have calm behavior. The step that you may be missing is rewarding during the time you are making food for any positive behaviors you may like.
You are right on. I have put him on ignore during the process so I do not encourage unwanted behavior. I will pay more attention to that. Thanks.