Ahhh, manners - important for people and dogs alike! Sadly, both species are generally lacking them as a whole. First, we need to define what I consider basic manners I guess. I'm not referring to any formal obedience here - I mean things like not surfing the counters in the kitchen for food or peeing on the floor, amongst other things.
Manners (Read: Rules) for dogs (& cats) in our house:
- No jumping up or rough housing, especially around the baby!
- No snatching food or snacks of any kind (even imaginary ones) out of hands or talking the baby into feeding you! This includes laying around her highchair begging for scraps.
- Nothing on the counters or on my tables belongs to you until I say it does - nothing - even if I may occasionally give you something from there, you should *not* feel as if you can help yourself.
- You must know what "kennel" means.
- You must be able to wait for your food when I give it to you.
- You must know "quiet" and know it well.
- You must understand "back" and "out" and "go lay down".
- You must understand where the dog couch is and where the people couch/chair is and not confuse them.
- You may not participate in guarding behaviors from other dogs, i.e. over spaces, toys, or people. Feel free to guard us from strangers though!!
- No peeing or pooping in my house unless it is an emergency and I failed to let you out, then you cannot be blamed and I will clean it with a smile.
- You will go outside when I ask you to - no acting like you don't hear me or running away...or acting like you are asleep.
- And most importantly - you must tolerate and love the baby - don't fret as I will save you if it gets too bad - for all you get from us, this is a small price to pay.
Of course there are probably tons of other things that I enforce on a daily basis, but these are the big commandments, if you will. Every dog that enters our house, whether it is a new forever family member or a boarding dog - will abide by these at the very least.
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