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:
- Do not allow your puppy to do anything you would not want a grown dog weighing 50 pounds doing.
- No jumping up on you or any one… as a rule for manners: 4 feet were made to be connected to the ground.
- Correct the undesirable behavior when you first encounter it. (Don’t think the puppy is too young and wait till it is older.)
- Rude behavior should be corrected when encountered.
- Puppy should learn to sit and wait at gates and doors before you go through.
- No biting you or any other person.
- Yes, English Shepherds are herding dogs, but they should herd stock not people.
- 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.
- Be consistent, fair and clear.
- 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.)
- Look for opportunities to teach your puppy/dog.
- Puppy should learn to sit to be petted this will go a long way in other areas of manners.