Houseline help with puppies
Since my Border Collie puppy, Riff, came home I have had a houseline attached to his collar or harness whenever he is out of his safe area and I am able supervise him.
Why?
Because prevention is better than cure:
If he was free to roam he could be:
- learning to bite my laces when I’m tying them
- chasing my cat
- putting his head in the fridge when I open the door
- jumping up to greet people
- rushing out through open doors
- playbiting people
- bothering my older collie, Braccy
- falling in the pond
As a result of using the houseline to guide him he is learning to:
- watch me tie my shoes
- look at the cat and allow her to approach
- watch me open and close the fridge
- keep feet on the floor to meet people
- keep teeth on toys
- investigate the pond safely
- not to play roughly with Braccy
How?
By preventing unwanted behaviour I can more easily guide and reward him for ‘good’ behaviour.
For example, when my cat comes in I stand on the line to keep the puppy still so that she can approach and investigate him in safety. If she moves away I reward him so that he is less likely to have the urge to go after her, which will make her run and will cause him to chase and learn a new game which will distress my cat.
This makes for a calmer household, I avoid having to rush after him, grab him, scoop him up or tell him off I can just stand on or lift up the line and he cannot go wrong
Simples!