The Well-Mannered Dog

Originally published in LEO on March 29, 2000 • Updated with modern guidance in 2026

From The Pet Guy Archives

Good manners don't happen by accident—they're taught through patience, consistency, and positive experiences. In this 2000 column, Jeff Seidenfaden explains that every dog, regardless of age, can learn appropriate behavior when owners invest the time to train them.

While dog training techniques have evolved over the past two decades, the foundation of this article remains just as true today: a well-trained dog is happier, safer, and more enjoyable to live with. Teaching basic manners isn't about controlling your pet—it's about building communication and trust that lasts a lifetime.

Original 2000 Column

Many pet owners are faced with the problem of having a pet with no manners. While some believe it is a dog's instinct to "know better" than to do something inappropriate, in reality we must teach the pet. Yes, that means you need to roll up your sleeves, buy some dog training biscuits and get to work.

The saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks," is truly a wives' tale. Any dog can be trained with the right amount of patience and skills. Each year millions of dogs are destroyed because owners have not taken the time to train them to carry out very simple, easy actions such as sitting, not biting, and—one of the most important—to stay.

Another problem facing some pet owners is the embarrassing things our dogs like to do when we have guests. Leg-humping can be included in this category. Crotch-sniffing and urinating on your guest's shoes also fit in nicely. But what can you do? I'm glad you asked.

Let's start with the most basic. I can't believe I have to say it again, but SPAY or NEUTER your pets! This will help solve some of the more instinct-based problems, such as hugging your leg or your friends and family. It will also help calm your pet and make him easier to train.

Now that we've jumped that hurdle, let's get into some training.

Sit. No, not you. This is the command I usually recommend starting with. It is the easiest and will be a good one if you are ever in a situation in which you need immediate control of your dog. Gently press his hindquarters to the ground while saying the command "sit." Once he has his rear firmly planted on the ground, give him a small treat. Repeat this process until he is sitting without you physically placing him in the position.

You can also use this method to teach a dog to lay down. Just follow through with the sit until your pet is all the way on the ground. Be sure to use tiny treats, to avoid filling your dog up and having him become bored. The goal, after all, isn't to feed but to train him.

Stay. This command isn't quite as easy. I recommend buying a long training lead (at least 15 feet) that you have attached to your pet's collar or harness. You want to place him in a sit and use the command "stay." Keep repeating the command as you walk away from your pet while holding the lead. Once you have gone a few feet, use the "come" command to release him from his stay. Reward him with a treat. This will take quite a bit of practice and you may want to enlist a friend for help.

One of the most basic things to teach a new puppy is what is and is not appropriate to chew. Your hands, feet and personal items are NEVER allowed. Not even for a minute. By allowing your pet to chew on your items, you are sending a signal that will be very hard to correct later.

Start from an early age and always have a chew toy available to put in his mouth when he starts teething on you or your belongings. Use a command such as "No bite!" to let him know this behavior is unacceptable. When you place the chew toy in his mouth, pet him and reward him with praise. This will teach that there are appropriate things for him to chew. You do not want to stifle a puppy's teething. It is necessary. By working with him and doing this simple training, you will have a wonderful pet with great manners.

The Pet Guy Perspective Today

The central message of this article has stood the test of time: good behavior is taught—not inherited. Dogs thrive when owners provide clear expectations, consistency, and patience.

Modern training has shifted toward positive reinforcement rather than physically positioning dogs or correcting unwanted behavior. Today, trainers typically encourage rewarding the behaviors you want to see while preventing dogs from practicing unwanted ones. This approach has been shown to strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners while producing reliable, long-term results.

The recommendation to spay or neuter pets remains an important consideration for many families, although veterinarians now recognize that the ideal timing may vary depending on a dog's breed, size, health, and intended purpose. Your veterinarian can help determine what's best for your individual pet.

Teaching core behaviors such as sit, stay, come, leave it, and polite greetings continues to be the foundation of responsible dog ownership. Equally important is providing appropriate chew toys for puppies, managing the environment to prevent unwanted behavior, and making training part of everyday life rather than an occasional event.

Perhaps the biggest lesson is that training is never really finished. Every interaction teaches your dog something. With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement, dogs of virtually any age can continue learning new skills and better manners throughout their lives.

Continue Reading in The Pet Guy Archives

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About The Pet Guy Archives

The Pet Guy Archives preserve Jeff Seidenfaden's original newspaper columns, television features, and educational articles spanning more than three decades. Each article is carefully republished to preserve its historical authenticity while making it accessible to today's pet owners.

About the Author

Jeff Seidenfaden is The Pet Guy—an award-winning pet expert, television host, newspaper columnist, entrepreneur, and animal advocate who has spent more than three decades helping families build better relationships with their pets. Through his newspaper columns, television appearances, and educational outreach, Jeff has shared practical, compassionate advice with hundreds of thousands of pet owners across the country.