During some channel surfing, I have been sucked into the show, "It's Me Or The Dog." It is a show about people who ask for help from the British woman Victoria Stilwell, who is an expert dog trainer. They want help in training their unruly dogs.
Now, we are not dog people over here, we actually have a cat. That is not to say that I don't like dogs because I do, some dogs. I used to be afraid of them (there was this scary dog-bike incident of '99) but they have kind of grown on me over the years. I might even let one into my house if the correct situation presents itself.
So I really have no reason to watch this show but I just can't stop. I even watched part of a marathon the other day. I just don't get my fascination with this show. There is just something about it that keeps me coming back for more and more and more.
Well, I figured out what it was. This woman is not only an awesome dog trainer but she also has some fabulous trick for kid training, I mean parenting.
So I have decided to study her techniques and use them with my kids. For example, the 'Leave it' technique. This is where you get your dog to leave an object that they want to play with alone. When they come near the object, you say "Leave it!" When they are able to 'leave it' they get a treat. One of the things that my kids are forever touching is the TV. They are always turning it on and off when they shouldn't. I am going to teach them 'Leave It' so they will be no more TV touching.
Then there is this awesome technique, "Trade." This is used when a dog has an object that you need to take away from him. The dog will 'guard' the object and make it impossible for you to get it. So what you do is present a different object and say "Trade" and when the dog goes to the new object you give a treat. I totally see this working with the kids. When they all start to fight over a toy. I will present a new toy and say "Trade". When they go to the new toy, I will treat them.
The last technique but certainly not the last one I want to try is called, 'Place.' You show a dog a certain spot in the house where they need to go if they are not behaving correctly or getting in the way. You say, "Place" and when the dog goes there, they get a treat. I can't wait to teach the kids this trick so that when I am trying to make dinner and they have all attached themselves to my legs and I am tripping over them I can just say, "Place" and then will run to their little places and get a treat.
It is going to be so beautiful. I am giddy with excitement.
I can't wait to start this new kid training, I mean parenting. Now I know this idea of mine may be a little unorthodox but hey, no one offers kid training lessons so I am just going to take a few ideas from the dog trainers.
I will let you know if this works, hopefully my kids won't start barking at me.
Ok, ok, ok. This was all written tongue and cheek. I am not going to start using dog training techniques on my kids so but those nasty comments away. But you have to admit, it is not a totally bad idea, I am right!?!
Deux par Deux Has The Cutest Kid Clothes
4 days ago
37 comments:
I totally think you should use those commands - for realz. ha ha ha
And, "dog bike incident"? I am really hoping that was a typo. I don't even want to know what a dog bike is. Or if there was an incident with you hitting a dog with your bike. Or him biting the tire of your bike whilst you were riding it. Or.... Please say it was supposed to be "dog bite" please PLEASE.
OMG--that dog has crazy eyes!! That's totally how I look when I see a plate of cupcakes!
I am really afraid that if we ever have kids I WOULD use dog commands accidentally.
I've accidentally done it to my neice - our dog is not allowed in the kitchen. My sharp command to poor Giggles (the movement I caught out of the corner of my eye) was actually followed up by her parents. It turns out she's not allowed in the kitchen either.
I was still embarrassed, however.
HA HA HA Jen!! This is a brilliant idea!! No need to backpeddle - we get you!! And i am stealing this idea from you!!! I can't believe my husband (who happens to work as an editor on this very dog show) has not come up with this idea on his own!! He should have seen the kid training potential in Victoria's commands! But I guess it takes a mama to come up with such a brilliant plan! :-)
I think that's a fabulous idea, but I'm worried that it might somehow induce chewing on the furniture. Or maybe jumping up on people who come in the front door.
However, there are probably commands to deal with that, so I say go for it!
I particularly like the idea of "Place!"
You know, the funny thing is I could probably do this with the 9 and 6 year old I nanny for... but only if I told them it was dog training. They would find it hilarious.
To be honest, we trained our dog to level 2 with clicker training. When we got pregnant I said to my hubby that I sincerely hope you get clicker training for babies. But I really do not think it is a bad idea. In fact we all do it already, we just call it bribery! Don't touch the TV, mom will give you a sweetie!
I think you are on to something!
But let me tell you.....I seriously want that woman to come to my house, but for the dogs not the kids. Mine are already trained. WOOF!
That is so funny and a great idea!!!
Ooh!
I'm going to have to try that.
We've been having a problem with the computer.
Everybody wants it.
I better stock up on chocolate chips!
Having my first child and my first puppy born at the same time, I've been surprised at how similar training techniques can be! But then you find youself saying to the kid, "Sit!" and "Give!" and you have to wonder if you have taken it too far.
There was actually an old movie where a mother gave her daughter a dog training manual and told her it was a good way to train her new husband. It worked great, until the husband found out, of course.
There was also a known child expert, (Dobson, I want to say) who was an advocate of teaching your child basic German Shepherd (his words)(sit, stay, lay down, etc.) Shane and I would often joke about it in those times the boys were being naughty.
I love it!
If you use chocolate as treats, I'll "Trade" and go to a spot too. hehe
Is it wrong that I don't think there is anything wrong with trying these out on the kiddos?
We don't have dogs either. We have demon kitties. And my mom loves to watch all these shows about dogs. I want to know when they will show a kitty whisperer...
i like the way you think...you rock it! and brooke thinks the dog is really cute and should have eaten the cupcakes!
That poor, poor dog! Even I would not have been able to "AWAY!" from the plate of cupcakes! ;)
{whispers}I may or may not have had to tell my daughter "Sit" when she's standing in her high chair.
Of course, she just giggles/smirks/keeps right on doing what she wants...
I use the "place" method with my kids, except I don't call it place, it's called "timeout," and they don't get a treat, they get... well, nothing!
Love this post! LOL! I say get your parenting advice wherever you can! Another wonderful post!
I saw your tweets and wanted to tell you that I lost 8 followers in one hour and wondered if I offended with my latest post? I'm so confused. Something weird is going on. I'm pretty sure your followers weren't offended by this post! It's hilarious!
I wonder if there were duplicates that got erased? Is that possible? I don't know....
lol about the crazy dog eyes. I think your idea is brilliant. Is it bad that I mix up the names of my dog and my 19 month old daughter? Looks like I'm already halfway there.
These sound like brilliant ideas!
My new fave from you. I get you. I do. We are not dog people either (hence, Lewis The Cat, our 5th family member).
Hilarious. And you are a genius.
That is hilarious. I'll be waiting and watching to see how the techniques work out for you!
I do really like that "Place" concept...wonder if that could work...
LOL! Have you ever had those days when you go to call for a kid and run through not only your list of kids' names, but throw the pets in there too? Jacob! I mean Nola (dog!) I mean Shadow (dog)! Darn it - I mean Sarah! Sarah! Come HERE! hahaha!!
That's classic! And I think it's not a completely unreasonable idea -- very positive reinforcement-ish!!
Maybe you're on to something here! Let's both do it and compare notes :)
I think it is a good idea. Dogs are trained with the pack concept. You have to show your kids that you are the leader of the pack or they will be:-)
As I was reading your post, I was already practicing the "leave it".... "leave IT".... "LEAVE IT"! command.
Better luck to you.
Didn't that dog with the cupcakes creep you out.... every time I see it, I'm totally creeped... but I'm also like, "poor pup, just eat that lady".
After you train yours, will you please come and train mine? :)
I don't see anything wrong with them. There aren't any shock collars involved right?!
Let me know if it works - I might try it with hubs!
I was just wondering if my kids are too old to be dog trained?
I've never even heard of this show! Good luck with your "kid training!"
LOL!! That's hilarious! Let me know how it works! :)
These Brits seem to be experts on so many things! Why do you suppose that is? But will the doggie training work on the little kiddos?
Brilliant!
Doesn't work with teenagers.
I think this show rocks because usually the owners are the ones who need help. That lady helps the whole dang family!
I had seen that clip of the dog on "The Soup" and it just cracks me up every time! I think you are on to something! I say try it -- just be sure to reward them with kid food and not dog biscuits! HAHA!
The clip with Stains the dog is downright hilarious!
I've watched this show... you know she now comes to America right? Not just the UK! I've thought about applying to have her come teach Izzie a thing or two...
Like how to stop pooping in my house.
Seriously.
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