Back to School - for the Dogs!

It’s that time of year.

Kids are back in school; establishing the routines of getting out of bed early and heading off to classes - spending their days (hopefully) learning useful, meaningful lessons, and probably having homework and tests.

But what about the dogs?

With the Winter Holiday Season just around the corner, now is the time to make sure Fifi or Fido’s manners and obedience are up to par - BEFORE the turkey, ham, and other goodies hit the table, and BEFORE the guests arrive, or the travel to family or friends’ houses begins.

So…it’s time for a pop quiz!

How is your dog’s Report Card looking in the following areas?

If you had to give your dog an A, B, C, D, or F grade in the subjects below, what would it be?

• House Manners

  • Polite greetings?

  • No dumpster diving or counter surfing?

  • No house-soiling accidents or marking incidents?

  • No chewing or other destructive behaviors?

• Leash Manners

  • Are your walks relaxing and fun?

  • No barking, lunging, charging at other dogs, bikes, scooters, cars, or people?

  • No pulling or chasing after cats, bunnies, squirrels, or other distractions?

• Public Manners

  • Is your dog able to go anywhere with you and be reliable?

  • Safe and quiet in a hotel room, without destroying anything?

  • Well behaved at family and friends’ homes?

  • Well behaved at the groomer or vet office?

  • Calm and neutral about other dogs and people out in the world?

• Listening Skills

  • How well does your dog LISTEN to you when it counts - like during times of high excitement or uncertainty?

If you find that you can confidently give your dog an A or B grade on all of the above subjects - Congratulations! You’ve kept up with training and communicating consistently with your dog, and they are able to roll with life’s ups and downs.

You’ve given your dog a roadmap to success, and even when things are out of routine with the craziness of the winter Holidays that will soon be upon us, your dog will have the skills and character traits to adapt and make you proud.

BUT - If you find yourself hemming and hawing…trying to decide between a C, D, or F grade on ANY of the above…it’s time for some polishing!

Remember, the greatest gift you can give your dog is clear, consistent communication. It’s HARD to be a dog in our human world - and when things are out of routine, it becomes even harder.

If you’re finding that you need some polishing, or you need some major training, now is the time to begin. And if you need a little professional help, check out our Holiday Manners Class! We’re happy to help in any way we can.

Jennifer Hime is the Owner & Training Director of Front Range K9 Academy in Wheat Ridge, CO. She and her staff have been training dogs professionally since 1990 - with over 9000 dogs trained and counting!