Ah…manners! We all like them and admire dogs with good manners.  So, how does one achieve good manners?  It starts with teaching good manners when your dog is a puppy.  Here are some guidelines:

  1. Do not allow your puppy to do anything you would not want a grown dog weighing 50 pounds doing.
  2. No jumping up on you or any one… as a rule for manners: 4 feet were made to be connected to the ground.
  3. Correct the undesirable behavior when you first encounter it. (Don’t think the puppy is too young and wait till it is older.)
  4. Rude behavior should be corrected when encountered.
  5. Puppy should learn to sit and wait at gates and doors before you go through.
  6. No biting you or any other person.
  7. Yes, English Shepherds are herding dogs, but they should herd stock not people.
  8. When correction is needed, correct fairly and appropriately.  Make the correction without preaching to the pup/dog, then do not hold a grudge.  Be ready to correct if you see the behavior again.
  9. Be consistent, fair and clear.
  10. Take the time to teach the correct behavior. There is no quick fix. Good Manners are a result of time spent teaching what you want. (Yes, this breed is smart, but  they still have to be taught correct behavior.)
  11. Look for opportunities to teach your puppy/dog.
  12. Puppy should learn to sit to be petted this will go a long way in other areas of manners.

DSCN0718 (2)(still no name)