It usually begins with a phone call asking me how to control a dog’s behavior in the house. The answer is very simple -- don’t allow behavior you don’t want! A dog will only be as bad or as good as you allow her to be. Here’s where the leash becomes a very practical tool for training issues inside the home. If housetraining is an issue, confine the dog’s movement with the leash until the dog eliminates where you want her to. If your dog runs through the house like a maniac, put on a leash and manage the dog. If door dashing is a problem, keep the leash on the door handle and put it on the dog before you open the door.

Sounds simple, right? Last year I fostered a little Bull Terrier mix named Paris. The first time I brought her home she chased my cats around the house several times before I caught her. That was a wake up call for me! I’m a trainer, and failed to use the leash. Needless to say, my cats were very disappointed in me! From that day on, Paris was on a leash in the house, and we worked on “leave it” every time we walked past the cats. Paris got lots of rewards for leaving them alone. Within a week, Paris learned what was expected of her, and my cats had forgiven me! Paris soon knew her place was on her bed, and I could finally catch up on my paperwork and not worry about where she was, or what she was up to.

It’s easy to overindulge a foster dog or an adopted rescue dog. We feel so sorry for them that we actually can “kill them with kindness,” especially if we reach the end of our patience and give up on them. Every dog needs rules to follow, no matter what hardship the dog has been through in her past life. When I first saw Paris, she was walking down the hall at the shelter, on the way to be euthanized. It was very easy to feel sorry for this little dog that everyone had given up on, but I knew she would do well if she had some rules to follow. Her training and mine began the day she came home.

With consistent rules, patience, and hard work, even established behaviors can be changed. Try using the leash indoors to manage your dog’s behavior, and be sure to seek assistance from a trainer if you feel you are in over your head. Many times, just a few tips can put you back on track. Good luck!

If there is anything else you would like to know about Animal Friends Rescue Project, please email us at info@animalfriendsrescue.org or call us at (831) 333-0722. Also, let us know if you are interested in joining our mailing list.