Q. I got a good laugh the other day watching a lady being walked down the street by her dog, a little dog. What would you say to a person in that situation?

A. Anyone who's ever taken training from me could answer this one. I would look at the owner and ask, "Who is training whom?" I don't think anyone makes it through a course without hearing that question at least once. Sometimes it is outright comical what our canines manage to get us to do 'on command.' Sometimes it is downright dangerous. I'll dedicate this column to giving you a few laughs and maybe even hitting home with some of them. The next column will more specifically address the behaviors and the corrections.


You are sitting in the TV room relaxing and your dog brings you his toys, one at a time. He drops them on your foot, or in your lap, or nudges you with them. You tell him 'no.' He then gets another toy and repeats. At some point you give in. You decide if you play with him a few minutes, maybe he will leave you alone then. Hmm. Who's training whom?

2. Housebreaking was tough. Now that the dog is 8 months old, you think you have it conquered . . . as long as you take him out every 20 minutes . . . or whenever he goes to the door. You just have to drop everything to get him outside the moment he gives you the sign.

Really? Who's training whom?

3. You told your dog to 'Sit' while you worked on a task. He got up and walked away from you then laid down over there. You figured at least he was being still so it was OK. Who's training whom?

4. Your dog is growling at company you have invited into the house. When you tell him to stop he turns angry-eyed at you and snaps. Since you know he will do anything for a treat, you get the treat box and shake it. He stops growling and comes running for the treat. Rewarding bad behavior will beget more bad behavior. Who's training whom?

5. You take your dog for a walk. He drags you down the road, opposite the direction you planned to go, you splash through mud puddles because he won't change course, He barks at people, chases rabbits, stops when you want to go, goes when you want to stop, and, by the end of the walk he's happy, you're frustrated, and both of you need a bath. Who's training whom?

When you watch documentaries about puppies and dogs, despite the many differences, they will all have one piece of advice that is the same. You must be your dog's master. In the future if you realize you're doing something because your dog deemed it necessary, ask yourself, "Who's training whom?" Then respond accordingly!
