October 1! Where did the summer go? Here in Central PA the temps are still in the 80’s, 91 is forecasted for tomorrow, but the calendar has no time to wait. Over the next 90 days there will be trick-or-treaters, a sudden loss of evening sunshine, Thanksgiving to host or attend, the madness of the gift-giving holidays in December that turn children into angels when the elf is watching and demons when the dog eats the elf. Are you ready?
What does the thought of costumed children ringing your doorbell over and over again do to you? Maybe you’re excited to dress up, too! Maybe you’ll enjoy seeing the costumes and offering a Dixie Cup of wine to the parents escorting their children on the great candy beg. Or, maybe, you’re dreading it. Maybe your dog will freak out every time someone approaches the yard and attempted to claw through the door when the doorbell rings. Are you legit fearful that you will be filing a homeowner’s claim when the bite you know has been coming actually happens?
Perhaps you’d like to have the gang over to watch a football game- WE ARE! What will you do with your dog? Thanksgiving, if you’re gone for more than 4 hours what will await your return home? The same neat sofa and unstained carpet that you left? Or, are you hosting and have a back up turkey just in case some furry family member counter surfs all the tryptophan?
Think about December, that incredible, magical month; whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah or simply the time off work, how will your dog react to the madness and limited exercise as the weather changes?
How do you know when you need to seek training for your dog?
- Are you taking your dog along when you go trick-or-treating?
- Are you looking forward to your dog greeting the doorbell and costumed children seeking candy?
- Are you excited to have friends and family over for parties and meals?
- Do you eagerly accept invitations to parties and events even if you don’t have day care, dog-walkers or sitters on call?
- Can you confidently leave a pie or cookies cooling on the counter?
If you answered, “no,” to any of these questions then you could probably use some help. Has reading this so far, imagining the scenarios play out, given you some anxiety? You are not alone! It didn’t happen overnight but if you’ve become a prisoner to your dog’s behavior there is a way out that does not need to involve drugs, euthanasia and re-homing.
Good dogs are not born, they are made. It’s okay to ask for help. Most people do not cut their own hair, drill their own teeth or draft their own legal documents; they seek out professionals who specialize in these services that enrich and enhance their lives. It’s okay to hire a dog training professional to do the same.
Your entire family deserves to live in peaceful harmony and to be included in as many activities as possible. You should not have to change your plans because you either can’t bring your dog, can’t expose your dog to a situation, can’t find a sitter for your dog or quite simply can’t trust your dog.
It’s not just normal behavior for a dog to…
jump on people.
to pull on a leash.
to growl and bark at everything that passes by.
to bite strangers.
to run away at the first taste of freedom.
You don’t have to live as a hostage to your dog’s behavior, you can take charge of the situation. When you do, your life, your dog’s life, your entire family’s lives will be better for it. I promise, it’s not too late.
You can teach an old dog new tricks; your puppy is not going to just grow out of it.
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