Don’t Let Your Dog Run Your Household
A Message from PROD’s Founder
Cleo Sterling

It’s true that many in this country are substituting the need for children, or a mate with the companionship of an animal. Now, I understand the need for companionship, but dogs do belong to a different species and speak their own language. One is only asking for trouble when they consider their canine to be on equal footing.

When it comes to training I am not a natural born leader and consequently, living in a multi-dog household has presented its problems. I was typical of owner’s that were overindulgent, inconsistent, and reactive, where the dog dictated the agenda, but fortunately we old dogs can learn new tricks. And if one wants a well mannered, well behaved canine it takes know-how, time, and commitment.

We all know that dogs need leadership and structure, are routine oriented, and feel most secure when given clear boundaries. After making many mistakes myself, through the experience of fostering multiple dogs over the years, let me share with you just some of the basic skills I have learned from several dog professionals that make for a good canine companion: