Hello, friends! Sig here. 🐾
I recently read The Rules for Dogs: The Secret to Getting Free Treats for Life by Leigh Anne Jasheway, and I found it quite informative. Training your humans is a big responsibility, so I appreciate a book that helps a dog identify his strengths and opportunities for personal growth.
As it turns out, I’m already doing very well with some of these rules. Others will require practice. Mom seems to have her own opinions about which is which.
Rules I’ve Already Mastered
Rule #5: Don’t Go Dutch on a Date
This rule includes advice about never inhaling your food. Instead, you should wait and then elegantly nibble.
Finally, someone understands my dining style! Mom sometimes seems to wish I would just eat my dinner, but apparently I’ve been demonstrating excellent manners all along. An elegant nibble cannot be rushed.
Rule #18: Don’t Let Them Tell You to Sit
I believe my work here speaks for itself.
When Mom or Dad tells me to sit, I frequently remain standing. Sometimes I offer a down instead. I heard the request. I simply considered the available options and made my own decision.
Mastered.
Opportunities for Personal Growth
Rule #2: Don’t Speak First
This one will be challenging.
I have things to say, and I prefer to say them immediately. I also like to have the last word. And occasionally several words in the middle.
Mom calls me vocal. I call myself an active participant in household discussions.
I suppose I could practice letting her speak first, but how will she know what we’re discussing?
Rule #19: Let Your Person Take the Lead
The idea here is to let your human believe they’re in control.
I can see how that might be useful. Unfortunately, I don’t usually allow Mom and Dad to enjoy that belief for very long.
Perhaps I need to work on my subtlety. Apparently, effective human training requires a little more patience than simply announcing all my preferences.
A Question for the Author
There is one important situation I wish the book addressed: What if you live with multiple dogs, and not everyone is willing to follow the rules?
You can be working diligently to train your humans, only to have another dog cooperate with them. How are you supposed to make progress with those bad influences in the house?
Should we hold a household meeting? Form a study group? Is there a companion book for dogs who are undermining everyone else’s efforts?
I would appreciate some guidance.
Sig’s Verdict
The Rules for Dogs is a good and interesting read for dogs who take their human-training responsibilities seriously—and for humans willing to hear the canine perspective.
Most dogs will probably discover a few rules they already follow and a few they need to work on. I certainly did. That makes this book an excellent opportunity for personal growth.
Mom laughed at my self-assessment. I’m choosing to interpret that as encouragement.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some elegant nibbling to do. And then I need to trick Mom into saying something first so I can interrupt and explain some impawtent things to her.
Love and paw prints,
Sig 🐾