Establish Clear Boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries keeps your dogs (and kids) safe. Teach your dog not to run out when the gate or door is open. Do this by opening the door without being seen. (Hide behind the fence, window, or other door.) When they try to get out, spray them in the face with water and walk them back in. Your dog will hate it, but your kids will love it.


The trick with kids (and dogs) is to be consistent. Never let them pass without you saying its ok. And don't forget to lavishly reward good behavior.

Thoughts? Is this a dumb idea? Got a better one. Click comments to tell us your thoughts on this.

Raising Rusty

Don't Piss On the Carpet

The first few days of having a dog are the most important. This is when you establish the two most important things:

1. Who is boss
2. Where is it ok to pee

Take your dog (I mean child) to the same place every hour and a half to go potty. Each time they succeed, praise them excessively. Start by limiting Rusty's movement. Keep him confined in a cage, small room, fenced area inside, or limited area outside. A dog won't go where he sleeps and this helps limit the damage.


OK. Don't put your child in a cage or small room and good luck trying to limit his/her movement. For kids, wait for them to be ready. Just because your child is 2-3 years old does not mean he/she is ready. You'll just have to be patient. It may take a few weeks for both.

Raising Rusty

An Introduction

Hello,

My name is Ryan Lee. I have a great dog and some fantastic kids. My neighbors have said, my dog is the best trained dog on the block. She listens well, behaves, and seems overall quite happy. Our childrens' teachers, oddly enough, said the same things about our kids.

As I was learning to train my dog I realized there was quite a lot in common between raising a well-behaved dog and raising well-behaved children. My plan is to show you how knowing how to train one can easily help you train the other.

OK. I know you are thinking, he isn't really suggesting we should treat our kids like dogs, is he? Not exactly. Don't take everything I say here literally, but do keep an open mind and be prepared to laugh. The similarities are sometimes a bit closer than you think.

Raising Rusty