Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
 We have a new puppy at our house! She’s a 4-month-old Basenji mix that we adopted from a rescue shelter. As I watch her run around our backyard like the Cannonball Express, I’m reminded of how out-of-control young dogs can be one moment and then sound asleep the next.
Our pup picked up some bad habits before her adoption, and she sometimes plays too rough. So my 9-year-old son and I are taking her to “Puppy Kindergarten” to help her learn to socialize properly with people and other dogs. The training has helped her chill out. It’s also been a great learning experience for my son to see how much effort it takes to raise a well-behaved dog.
The instructor told us that the key to changing behavior in a dog is: repetition, repetition, repetition! He said slowly, over time, bad behaviors will be replaced by good habits.
Seriously, repetition is what works best? Repetition wears me out whether I’m telling the puppy, “No jump,” or my son: “Pick up your room. Take out the milk bottles. Get ready for bed.” However on the flip side, he does regularly put his clothes in the hamper; get ready for school on time; and put his dishes in the sink. I guess repetition just might be working after all, even though I’m exhausted!
Blessings,
Mary Darr
Editor, MOMSnext ezine
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