There’s simply not enough time in the day to say ‘no’ to every possible naughty scenario your dog and kids can cook up! By saying the word ‘no’, you’re actually ONLY asking them to stop doing that ONE thing – NOT the thousands of other (more horrific) alternatives they could concoct instead.
So why not cut corners and say ‘yes’ to the ONE thing you DO want them to do instead? It’s more direct, saves time and you’re setting the stage for exactly how YOU want things to go. Here’s how it works…
ON PUPPIES:
- “NO! Don’t chew on the table leg” = A dog chewing the rug instead
- “YES! Chew on this bone” = Time relaxing with your puppy
- “NO! Don’t pull the dog’s tail” = A kid pulling the dog’s ears
- “YES! Pet gently from collar to tail” = A dog actually enjoying your kids’ love!
To those of you who are thinking “Seriously, isn’t it quicker just to tell him NO instead of going to the trouble of buying special bones from the store?” We hear you sistah! We moms have zero time to be doing ‘extra’ stuff. But this isn’t ‘extra’. This type of prep is a MASSIVE time (and sanity) saver. When you can say ‘yes’ and tell your dog (or kids) what you want them to do not only are you getting good behavior in the moment, but you’re creating a pattern for GREAT behavior in the future. No bones about it.
Leah Hatley and Justine Schuurmans are professional trainers and owners of thefamilydog.com, a website that specializes in educating the whole family on how to interact with their dog or puppy. To learn more about the online program and see free training videos visit www.thefamilydog.com.
