To think how you bring up a well behaved dog is similar to bringing up a child?

[abacucat]

Okay, not exactly. You should not crate a child and excessive to teach them to walk to heel.
But both need a run around outside at least once a day. Decent food at regular times. Good sleep and a comfy place to sleep. To be taught to walk safely beside you outside. To have love and affection. And to to speak as if you mean it when you tell them no.

100% agree. Exercise, sleep, feed, model good behaviour and consistency.

I genuinely think that having two dogs first from puppies has helped me be a better parent 😂

Yes.
.... and discourage licking.

I think so OP. The things you have listed and Boundaries and routine, my dogs certainly thrive on a routine. Poor behaviour if routine completely knocked out.

Small children are very much like any young animal - dog, cat, horse, anything. Plenty of exercise, good food, sleep, firm but kind boundaries, consistency, reward based good behaviour.

I've worked with young animals and troubled animals most of my adult life, and the midwives always used to say I was the most laid back and confident first time mother they'd ever had.

I agree with you OP.

There is only one major difference - dogs are easier to house train

I crate my children and teach them to walk to heel. The little one is starting to look like he might be able to climb out of his crate though. The big one doesn't need his anymore because he's pretty well-trained now.
Also the same: don't rub their faces in their poo because it doesn't teach them anything.

Yes there are lots of similarities - my puppy follows me to the toilet and demands to sleep in my bed like my kids. I don't remember my kids digging huge craters in my lawn or constantly rummaging through the rubbish bin though. I think the puppy needs more discipline.

Babyroobs, my baby LOVES to rummage through the recycling bin. He hasn't discovered the rubbish bin yet, but I fear it's only a matter of time...

100% agree

Neither are allowed on the sofa

I hope you're right OP. I have a 9 year old border collie and am very proud of how well behaved she is We put a lot of time and effort into her training when she was a puppy and generally put a lot of time into making sure she gets plenty of mental and physical exercise and it's definitley paid off, baby #1 due in January so hoping the same plan will work with the child too lol

Totally agree OP! I’ve long thought the same. The methods are pretty much identical until your kids get to around 10/11ish.

YANBU op! There are huge similarities. I have to say though, there are times when my two 11 month old sprockers are better behaved than ds14!

At least the dogs aren't into Fortnite though....

And yes, agree kindness is important with both.

I love this thread. More than once I’ve tried to suggest this to someone and they’ve looked at me like they want to kill me

There's a style of learning called operant conditioning which is usually used for dogs and can be used for children too. You reward positive behaviour and punish negative behaviour. (Note that "punishment" doesn't have to mean that you do something actively; it can also mean that you withhold something good. For example, if a dog is pulling on a lead you may stop and wait until they stop pulling, then start walking again.)

I dunno, my child crate trained herself... happily walks into one and shuts the door 🤷‍♀️

Mine answer back more than my dog .
I do always say that mine need exercising like dogs though. If they’re getting angsty I take them for a run around a field!