10 Essential Rules of
​Dog Etiquette  

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit"

​1) ALWAYS Invite dog to join you... permit dog to come, explore and show you what he wants to share. Chasing or even reaching after a dog not a good practice!

2) ALWAYS leave open space around and between you and the dog. Be in an open posture & content to share whatever space the dog describes for you with her body language. Breathe, soften and let the courtship unfold!

3) Be calm and welcoming & not at all intrusive to dogs space. Again as always make sure you have open space around you and calm energy that feels inviting. Resist reaching out to the dogs & instead allow the dog to move toward you and linger. Its more likely that dog will experience you as a dog savvy human who has good manners. Avoid focusing your gaze on a dog, they feel it! 

​4) 3 Second Pet Rule. whether a dog you know well or one you are getting acquainted with and you've gotten to the point where you are offering some scratching or petting you will do well to ask the dog how she feels about the affection you're giving if after 3 seconds you STOP. Bring your hand back into your own space and observe the dog. Does she walk off? Does she sit still or does she turn to you? Does she seek you hand and find your eyes? Continue punctuating the affection with little pauses. If dog moves off she's showing you that's all she cares for at the moment. Let her go.. she'll seek affection when she is comfortable to do so. This is yet another way for you to show dogs that you care and listen and allow them a voice!!

​5) TRADE don't TAKE.  If you're playing fetch but your dog chooses to hoard the ball. TRADE! Offer him something better than what he's got in his mouth! Squeak another ball (or two) with excitement in your voice! Its likely your dog will focus on the new toy in your possession & drop the ball in his mouth! You immediately say in your most delighted voice "GOOD DROP!" whilst tossing the new more exciting toy for him! Off he goes to chase the one you've offered and you scoop the one he dropped calmly and nonchalantly!!! BTW the same enticing TRADE deal works well at getting your dog to drop a forbidden food item or some vile substance he's grabbed onto!! Have a tasty treat to TRADE. Say whatever word you use for that special treat.. like COOKIE??!! He will be likely be very interested and curious.. if not .. wave the delectable offer in front of his nose and the moment he opens his mouth (out comes the naughty bit) and he immediately gets the even better treat with a what a good boy!!

​6) ALWAYS Avoid approaching a sleeping dog.​ Not all dogs can be easily awakened. Some get stuck in a unconscious state and might not be awake enough to realize its you. He might reflexively growl, snap or bite! Keep some distance softly use a calm voice to wake your dog allow him to get up.. stretch, shake and fully wake up. Let him come to you! (Rule #1 Invite dog to come to you!)

7) ALWAYS provide open spaces and options. All dogs need to have their private space, her dinner, her bone in peace. Do not and keep your kids from going inside her crate, moving in on her while she's eating or enjoying a chew. Respect and teach respect to your kids. This is yet another way of building trust and deepening your connection with dogs!

8) During any type of conflict ALWAYS use your voice in a sing song happy and invitational tone and be calm. You will feel calmer the second you use your voice in that sweet way!  Think of distracting your dogs and dilute tensions with your voice, some wonderful or attention grabbing sound that sparks curiosity (shake a bag of treats, clap hands, drop a pot.. much depends on the level of tension you've got to interrupt.
) Your goal is to become more interesting than whatever is going on with the tense situation! This is surprisingly effective1 

9) Be thoughtful about what you ask your dog to tolerate. Don't expect your dog to like or even tolerate everything you do. A houseful of guests might not feel like a safe fun environment! Children hugging dog looks cute but feels threatening to dog.

​10) Never punish a growl! Its a very important and necessary communication that simply means "I REALLY NEED YOU TO give me space". Growls are a clear communication.. NOT an act of aggression! Its best to respect a dogs plea. Know that you have very likely already ignored the more subtle pleas your dog has communicated. If you've got to a growl, best to be cal, observe and feel what your dog needs..  you might say something like "OK I hear boy" and then provide an open space .. sometimes a dog might want to go to his crate to decompress.. This is great stuff to pay mind to. A bite or a snap might follow an unheeded growl. Its dogs desperate plea for distance between him and whatever he's freaked out about. Please pay attention and listen to the growl.