All of our 80’s babies remember the infamous “because I said so”. These words could cause immediate rage in the heart of every child. Unfortunately, “because I said so” is exactly why our dogs have to listen to the “no” command.
As humans, it is our job to keep our pets safe and well – sometimes this means telling them “no” to something they want. No, you can’t have chocolate / countersurf / harass your cat sibling / eat all my underwear / pee in the house / chew on that nasty dead animal. “No” is VERY useful and necessary.
“No” is a neutral term. It doesn’t mean your dog is bad, or that they deserve punishment – it just means that whatever they’re doing is not the behavior you are currently looking for.
Check out this video for how, when and why to say “no”! (FF to 00:53 to skip the sponsor)
We will leave you with a quote:
“I am trying to keep things in perspective. My dog wants a bite of my peanut butter chocolate chip bagel. I know she cannot have this, because chocolate makes dogs very sick. My dog does not understand this. She pouts and wraps herself around my leg like a scarf and purrs and tries to convince me to give her just a tiny bit. When I do not give in, she eventually gives up and lays in the corner, under the piano, drooping and sad. I hope the universe has my best interest in mind like I have my dogs. When I want something with my whole being, and the universe withholds it from me, I hope the universe thinks to herself: ‘Silly girl, she thinks this is what she wants, but she does not understand how it will hurt'”
― Blythe Baird