If you own a dog, one of the first lessons you’ll learn is that they have their own rules and etiquette. When introducing your new pup to your house, giving them tips on what to eat, potty outside, and other basics will go a long way. While there’s no universal list of how to act around your furry friend, we’ve compiled the 10 best house manners for dogs.
10 Manners for Dogs in the House
Most owners want their pooches to feel comfortable at home. After all, it will be a much less enjoyable experience for everyone involved if they are stressed out. To get your dog acclimated to your living space, remember these 10 best house manners for dogs.
1. Be Nice to the Neighbors
The best way to help your dog get along with the other dogs in your neighborhood is by being nice to them. Be respectful when greeting them, no matter what kind of dog you have. It’s also a good idea to always treat other dogs as people. For example, please don’t jump on the couch or eat their food. This will help establish yourself and your pup as “good guys” who play nice with other canines.
Dogs are friendly, and they want to be with us. So, always be open to meeting up with other canines and offering them treats. Find common ground you share so that you and your dog get along with the other dogs and people in the neighborhood.
2. Potty Outside or inside!
Your dogs Know the Difference. Now it’s time for you to learn that difference. Most dogs are very clean but sometimes mess indoors or in the backyard. When your dog is allowed to run around with friends and play inside, they start to get distracted by the smells of other dogs, other people, and their waste.
Dogs have a strong sense of smell, so training them to go on a leash outside or into a yard potty area is important. If you don’t train your dog to go only outside, then they will have accidents inside. With proper training and a consistent schedule, the mess will end up outside. Dogs need to learn that bathroom breaks are indoors or outside, never inside.
3. Chewing is Bad
Chewing is considered an instinctual part of dog behavior. They chew for many reasons, such as relieving stress, killing boredom, and taking care of their teeth. However, inappropriate chewing can hurt your things and irritate them. Puppy chewing is expected, but the most common items found in homes are shoes and furniture.
Dogs will chew on anything they can find, and owners who need to be aware of this will likely lose something that matters to them. Dogs will chew on anything and everything, but this habit can get them in trouble with many people. Especially if your dog chews on something breakable and your landlord/landlord prohibits chewing on things.
If you must have your pup chew on things, try to give them a soft and durable toy instead of something that would be easily destroyed, like a newspaper or a cheap coffee table book.
4. Garbage is Bad
Many dogs want to chew on something and seem to get into the garbage. If you don’t take out the trash frequently enough, your dog could be chewing on something that isn’t food. One of the biggest reasons for eating improper foods is boredom. Other times dogs get into the garbage for fun or to see what smells disgusting.
Pets should never be allowed to eat human food items due to their inability to metabolize certain food items and their lack of teeth in their food chain. Garbage is bad, but as long as your dog never gets into your garbage and anyone else does, it’s okay.
5. Kitchen is Bad For Dogs
Pets aren’t allowed in the kitchen. Even if you have a pet-friendly kitchen, be careful about what you store in your kitchen. It’s worth investing in dog-proof garbage that can keep them from eating bad things like those that smell.
Some dogs love to eat tapioca, and some enjoy cauliflower, but many dogs chew on anything they find. This includes the garbage you don’t want them to chew on and your countertops.
6. Don’t Touch My Food!
If you have dogs, one of the most important things to remember is that they’re territorial, especially regarding food. Their food should be in a special place where they can watch over it at all times. They may or may not be aggressive towards other people or dogs, but their instinct tells them not to let anyone near their food, especially people they don’t know well enough.
Even if you think they’re cute, don’t touch their food or be within three feet of it! Dogs are very territorial and react aggressively if they feel threatened. If you take things they consider their food, they may bite in your attempt to gain access to it.
It would be best if you kept a close eye on them when they eat. When dogs act like this, it’s often because no one is near the food — but that’s not always the case.
6. Jumping On People is Bad
Dogs don’t jump on people, especially if they don’t know them. If you have a dog that loves people, he may be jumping on you when you walk through the door and greet him at the door. He’s getting excited because he loves seeing you.
Jumping up is a friendly greeting for dogs. Pups often jump up and lick a person as part of their play behavior or to get more attention from their owner. It may also be because their owner gives them attention when they do it.
Even if your dog jumps on you occasionally, you should teach him that this isn’t acceptable.
This can help keep your dog healthy and safe, especially if he doesn’t know the people he jumps on. Allowing dogs to jump up may give them bad habits and encourage unwanted behavior. It could cause them to get hurt or aggressive towards people who don’t want to deal with their greetings.
7. Eat Every Food
If you have a dog, they probably love eating anything they can find. Not all food is good for dogs, such as chocolate or grapes. Some fruits and vegetables are toxic, especially if your dog eats too much. Many other foods they can eat in moderation, like broccoli and chicken. However, some give their dogs table scraps or food not meant for pets because it’s easier than throwing it away when no one is looking. Your dogs know what to eat or not eat when they’re hungry. Sometimes they may eat things they’re not supposed to, like your playmobile and vegetables. Dogs love to eat food that’s bad for them, but only because their owners don’t know their food rules.
8. Furniture is Not For Sleeping
Dogs have a bad habit of sleeping in beds. Some dogs sleep in bed with their owners, but others sleep on the couch or the floor. Some dogs are fine sleeping on the floor, while others love to cuddle up to their owner in bed. Even if your dog loves sleeping on your bed, you should train them to sleep on a dog bed instead of getting into it with you. If you need clarification on whether your dog’s sleeping on the bed, set a timer and check on them to see what they did in your sleeping area. If you find your dog in your bed, train them immediately, so they’re off the bed before you come home.
9. Barking is Bad
Barking is an instinct, but you should teach them not to bark while they’re alone. While some may find barking cute or funny, it can be a nuisance or a problem for those living in an apartment with neighbors who don’t like the sound.
It would help if you also taught them that barking outside and in the yard is their territory. They have their own space and don’t have to bark if they don’t want to.
10. Be Fair and Don’t Always Give Kisses
Dogs often kiss people or at least lick them affectionately. This can be a positive behavior, but it could also be because your dog wants affection. If your dog licks you for no reason, you could be getting too much affection. Teach them only to give kisses when they want to. This is important because some people don’t want their dogs to lick them, while others are okay. If you get licked, teach your pup what you like and don’t like so, they can be comfortable with you and your touch.