We love our dogs, but what do others think of them? Training your dog or puppy can make a big difference in how our dogs interact with us and people outside our households. Whether it's jumping, barking, or more challenging behaviors, it's time to accept what your friends already know: your dog is a jerk. Discover the 5 reasons your dog is difficult and learn dog training tips to help your dog's sweet nature shine through.
Is your furry friend not exactly the charmer you hoped for? It might be time to face the truth: your dog could be a bit of a jerk.
Discover the 5 reasons your friends may not like to visit with your dog, as well as some tips on how to help redeem your dog's reputation.
1 Your Dog is Terrifying
Just because your dog isn't snarling, barking, or lunging at your guests doesn't mean your dog isn't making your friends and guests uneasy. Yes, you know that your darling doodle Kevin would never hurt you, but look at how your friends are forced to interact with him.
Is your dog in their personal space? Is he staring heavily at them? Is his body language giving off a warning?
If the answer is yes to any of these, Kevin is giving off major negative vibes that your friends are definitely picking up on.
Do what I call a "Pasta Check" for body language. If your dog looks like cooked pasta, with very loose, wiggly, or "wet noodle" body language, the vibe he's giving off is friendly.
If his body language looks like uncooked pasta, and is very stiff or rigid, without a lot of bend or give, he's giving a clear message that your friends are aware of.
As I tell my clients, be sure your dog's pasta is well-cooked, and stop terrifying your friends.
2 Your Dog is Messy
Okay, this one isn't your dog's fault, but if you have a dog that drools excessively, it can be exceptionally off-putting.
Yes, I know that's Just How He Is, but remember, the more your dog struggles with impulse control, the more he drools (excitement and anxiety make the drooling worse).
Help him calm down, and if your dog is struggling, keep him away from your guests. Nobody likes the drool.
3 You're Assuming Everyone is a Dog Person
And I assume everyone knows pineapple doesn't belong on pizza, but here we are. #ISWIS
Yes, your dog is cute. Yes, your dog is polite and well-behaved, but let's face it, there are indeed some people who live soulless, angst-filled lives, and *gasp* aren't Dog People.
Respect that it's not about you or your dog, and don't force interactions. FWIW, I think your dog is adorable.
4 Your Dog is TOO Friendly
Remember the Pasta Test for dogs? Well, there's that pendulum swinging in the other direction.
If your dog is all over your guests, jumping and pouncing, it's not cute. Your dog is struggling with impulse control. Like a child who is catered to when they throw a tantrum, by forcing your guests to tolerate this behavior, your dog is learning that they just need to be more energetic to finally get pet and attention.
Stop letting your dog do a Harvey Weinstein on your guests.
Don't force your friends to manage your dog's hyper behavior, and help your dog learn impulse control and proper greetings. That will result in a beneficial cycle of your dog learning that the calmer they get, the more attention they receive.
5 Your Dog is Aggressive
There is a saying that when someone tells you who they are, you should believe them. This goes double for dogs.
If your dog growls, lunges, or acts in any way aggressively towards your guests or friends, don't make excuses for their behaviors. Yes, there are reasons your dog is acting this way, but that doesn't excuse their behavior, and as a pet parent, it's your responsibility to address your dog's behavior.
Don't tell your friends to "just let him smell you" or any variation of that theme (which may include treats, toys, etc.) which only turns your dog's behavior into something they now have to manage.
Aggression is the ultimate manifestation of your dog's high anxiety about a situation combined, with low impulse control. Learn to help your dog manage their impulse control and anxiety, and resolve their dangerous behavior before the situation unfortunately resolves itself.
Easy Training Tips For Your Dog's Behavior
There's a difference between managing your dog's behavior and addressing your dog's behavior, and understanding that difference is integral to success.
For example, it's okay to manage your dog's aggression while you're working through it, but simply locking your dog away in another room is not addressing their anxiety, which is the actual cause of your dog's aggression.
By focusing on your dog's impulse control, as well as helping your dog work through their anxieties, you can make your dog guest-ready in no time. In the meantime, here are some simple tips to keep everyone safe and happy.
Keep Your Dog On a Leash.
Remember, leashes aren't there merely for walks; they are meant to help you control an otherwise uncontrollable situation. If your dog is struggling, help them by keeping them closer to you with a leash.
Wear Your Dog Out Through Exercise
If your dog doesn't have enough activity, they become hyper, wired messes. Set them up for success, and give your dog the activity they require. Yes, here in Cleveland it's difficult to exercise a dog in wintertime, but there are ways to do it. Find out how to easily wear out your dog here.
Work on Impulse Control
If your dog doesn't have a lot of impulse control on a day-to-day basis, they aren't suddenly going to develop some when your best friend stops by. By helping your dog learn impulse control in easier situations, you are setting them up for success in more difficult social situations. Learn how in this article.
Conclusion
Your dog isn't bad, they just suck at being human. Human social interactions can be awkward for other humans sometimes, so help your dog by guiding them through greetings and visits. As their impulse control gets better, and their manners improve, your friends will see the change, and start to see the wonderful dog you know was there all along.
Except in situation No. 3 above. In that case, throw out your friends, and find better ones. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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Most dog owners are confused about how to work with their dog’s behaviors, so we created a dog training method focused on simple and effective techniques based on trust because every dog deserves to be the Best Dog Ever.
If you feel it's time you worked with a professional dog trainer who focuses on behavior and training, find out more about our services in the Greater Cleveland Area here.
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