In today’s world, dogs are more than just family pets. We are family members. If you choose to integrate your dog into your daily activities, you know how important is to have a well-behaved dog.

As dogs, the structure of our environment is super impawtant. It determines the kind of relationship we have with our owners. Even when our humans are not paying attention to us, we are constantly watching and learning from every interaction we have with our human family.

As an adventurous doggie, I don’t particularly love these house rules, but I see the value in them. Creating a structured environment helped me through the learning process and gave me the freedom I enjoy today. Plan to restructure things at home to set your puppy for success as well.

Part I: 7 New House Rules to Create The Perfect Environment To Ensure Obedience

1. Feeding

🐾 Within the first 6 weeks of training, your dog should get all of her daily food allowance from training or from interactive toys. Your puppy will need to work for every kibble and piece of food she gets. Nothing is free (…at least in my house, we all need to work!).

2. From Now On, Spoiled Brats Are Not Tolerated In T he House

🐾 Barking and whining will NOT be rewarded.

When I was little, I used to get so excited to see my human parents that I would start barking of joy! At the beginning my mother would let me get out but then later on she learned that by letting me out, she inadvertently had taught me that if I bark at her, I would get what I want. To avoid this “misunderstanding”, my parents only open the door of my crate when I am calm and sitting. Apparently sitting means, “please” to them.

Your dog needs to know that she has to do something for food, so what better way to accomplish this than to train her during mealtime. Do not panic! You will not have to carry treats with you all the time forever.

3. Freedom

🐾 This rule is to prevent us from getting into trouble. Block off areas that you do not want your dog to have access to.

🐾 Whenever your dog is not in her crate or play pen, she should be in your sight. The crate provides a safe space where we can settle peacefully inside.

🐾 While in the house, tether your dog to you when your dog is not in the crate. My mother used to tether me to her waist using a hands-free leash when I was younger. She told me that this would ensure I followed her everywhere in the house. Also, it kept me out of trouble when I was little. Now that I am older, I don’t need the leash since now following my parents in the house comes natural.

By limiting your dog’s freedom, you are controlling your dog’s environment and preventing reinforcement for unwanted behaviors that you cannot see.

DO NOT LEAVE your dog on a leash unattended. That’s just asking for an accident and bad behavior. If you cannot pay attention to your dog, then place her in the crate.

Sniffing for the Cure® would like to thank Officer Jack Richards and Fiona Richards from Privileged Pets. Officer Richards has worked with the K-9s Program in Houston, Texas. He taught and trained my mother to work with her four-legged companion