Training Tip: Not even if its cute...

So lately I have been trying to break Axle of bad habit he has picked up. And I would be lying if said it wasn't my fault he started doing this. When I'm at home working on my laptop, Axle will usually sleeps by my feet or even sits next to me with his head in my lap. I love that he likes to be close to me all the time. He's an extremely affectionate dog. But a few weeks ago, he was feeling particularly needy and actually tried to climbed up in my lap. 

And being the push over that I am with the dogs, I let him. He sat there quite nicely with his bum on the ground and his fore paws and head resting in my lap. I knew that he really shouldn't be doing this, but it was just too stinkin' adorable! The next few days he repeated this. And to no real annoyance to me, I was still able to get my work done during the day. But it didn't take very long before he started pushing his boundaries.

It went from fore paws in my lap, to trying to wiggle his whole front end up and putting his head on the table. This I knew was not okay. Axle weighs about 65Lbs. Hes is a big dog. So I would push his head off the table and let him stay in my lap. But it didn't take but a few minutes before he would try and weasel his way back up. When I'm working at home or on the weekends, I get to spend time with my dogs, but its not always undivided time. I'm there, but I'm working... so I understand their need to try and get my attention.

But over the next couple days Axle kept pushing and pushing. Finally I had to just kick him out of my lap all together. It was getting out of hand, and it was my fault. Now he stands behind me a cries, because I won't let him back up in my lap when I'm working. He's confused because I let him do this before, and its breaks my heart to see him so sad. But I knew better, so I can only blame myself. If I had just told him 'No'  the first time he tried to climb on the table, we wouldn't be in this situation. But now I'm having to break him of this bad habit I let him get into, just because I thought it was cute the first couple times.

It will happen. I will eventually be able to let him rest his head in my lap when I'm working again. But it will take a lot of time before he won't try to climb up on the table anymore. But I have to own up to being the one who basically told him his was okay in the first place. The behavior is little more than an annoyance to me. He's my dog, so I'm used to him. But if he did this to a house guest I'd be mortified. If someone came over who was not familiar with dogs and sat down at my table, and then was proceeded to be climbed on by a 65 Lb dog it probably wouldn't end well.

So my message to you dear readers, is don't let your dogs get into bad habits you know you can prevent. If you don't want your dogs to climb on you when you are working, don't let them. Or if there is a 'no dogs on the couch' rule in your house, don't let there be a 'just this once' exception. Set your dogs up for success. Praise them when they are good, and always be firm on rules. Dogs need structure and they need to know what they are allowed and not allowed to do. It's a lot harder to train a dog to do something than to re-train him not to. So be consistent and guide them with a firm, but loving hand. A dog who understands and is clear on his boundaries is a happier dog. This will save both of you a lot of frustration in the long run. So don't give in to those puppy dog eyes!!