Dog Training and Marriage Counseling
Sometimes being a dog trainer doubles as a marriage counselor! Scenario: Wife calls wanting training for their dog. Dog and wife start making progress, and sure as shootin’ I start hearing about how hubby won’t get with the program and is hindering training. Calm down and don’t lawyer up! You can have a successful training experience regardless of whether everyone else in the dog’s life is on the same page.
Case in point: I have SHARED my current dog for six years with one of my best friends. She wanted a dog and I wanted a dog, but neither of us wanted to have to bother with boarding or finding pet sitters when we travel.
Here is the embarrassing part: When he goes to her house training goes out the window and it is like summer camp! One day I came by to see him RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE DINING ROOM TABLE TO SEE OUT THE WINDOW BETTER!!! When she has a dinner party he travels around the table going from lap to lap whether they are dog-people or not. He forges on the leash. He is on all the furniture. I have asked her to pleeez not tell people he is my dog too!
On the bright side, at my house he stays on his bed during meals, does not beg and respects our house rules. He is only allowed on certain pieces of furniture and only when invited. Walks are on a loose leash and controlled. He even goes with me for training demonstrations.
Same dog, different handlers. The difference is he understands there are different expectations at each house. My friend is happy with how things are, and we are happy when he is with us - win, win!
I’ll bet y’all have some stories too!