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Writer's pictureRachel R. Baum

“Good” dog

Every chain dog owner (those of us who are never without a dog, as in, we get a new one pretty much immediately after the old one passes) has had a lovely, compliant, sweet-natured, easy dog.

This is the dog that needed virtually no training from Day One. He seemed to intuit what we wanted before we asked. Sit? You betcha. Come? Right away, boss! Cuddle when we’re sad and lonely? Head on lap, soulful eyes resting warmly on ours, and tail gently wagging.

Best buds forever.

That’s why it is always a surprise to acquire a dog that has none of those “good” dog traits.


Bad dog

I know. There are no bad dogs. But the reality is, there are challenging ones.

Boxer Leelee is a frenzied, relentless jumper, whose paws thump wildly on every guest’s chest.

Golden Doodle Murphy, even at age three, still mouths hands, ankles, kneecaps, pant legs, anything at snout level and below.

Escape arti

st Kodi, a Siberian Husky, unlatches any door, removes all window screens, and scales the highest fence.

Rat Terrier Emma, interminable commenter on life’s moments….let the barking begin. And never, ever, ever end.

Yorkie housebreaking

Yorkie Wilfred stubbornly refuses to potty outside, and seems to deliberately miss the piddle pads that cover most available flooring.

Figuring out how to manage day-to-day with tough dogs can be frustrating. Many a dog owner has been reduced to tears by yet another puddle in the foyer or chewed baseboard in the dining room.

Waiting for maturity to slow down your pup? Getting old in some dogs only worsens the unwanted behaviors. Hoping that spaying or neutering will um, fix the problem? Yes, your dog will be way calmer – while under anesthesia.

Like the proverbial wild child, your challenging dog has spirit and exuberance. She needs your guidance and consistency every day. Be sure to give her quality dog food that doesn’t add sugar and carbs to her already excitable nature. And exercise! Not just a once a week trip to the dog park, but a walk, a run, a game of fetch every single day.

Of course, training these dogs will save your sanity.

Help your work-in-progress dog to be a member of the family. It might take longer, require more patience and a replacement chair (or two) but you will both survive to enjoy each other and share a bond in your dog chain.


Dog training
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