Try the Lucy Test

Next time your dog does something that frustrates you, stop and ask one question: "If this were a three-year-old child doing the exact same thing, how would I respond?"

I call it the Lucy Test, after the rescue dog my business is named for.

Dogs have the reasoning ability of a three-year-old their entire life. Most of us know that, and still we expect them to behave like small adults. When they don't, we decide they are stubborn.

I once worked with a family at their wit's end with their Golden Retriever mix, Bailey. He jumped on everyone at the door, barked at every delivery truck and ignored every command. The mom said he was just stubborn. So I asked how they would handle this behavior if Bailey were their three-year-old instead of their dog.

The room went quiet. Then the dad said he would redirect him and praise him when he got it right. The mom said she would move the tempting stuff out of reach and set him up to succeed.

That was the whole lesson. Within two weeks of treating Bailey like the three-year-old he mentally was, with patience, clear boundaries and realistic expectations, their whole household changed.

Redirect, don't lecture

A toddler heads for the wall with a crayon. You don't give a speech about walls. You hand over paper. Your dog on the kitchen counter is the same situation. Point them to their mat, ask for a sit, and reward it.

Try it this week

1. Notice the moment you feel frustrated.

2. Ask the Lucy Test question out loud.

3. Do what you would do for a toddler: redirect, move the temptation, praise the right choice.

4. Make sure everyone in your home answers the same way.

Nine times out of ten, the toddler answer is the right one, and it's kinder too.

Chapter 1 of my book goes much deeper on this. Four on the Floor is available on Amazon.

I also shared a short version of this on Instagram this week.

If you'd like me to look at your dog's frustrating moments with you, book a free 30-minute phone call.

About Randy: Randy Walker, CPDT-KA, is an Air Force veteran and professional dog trainer with about a decade of experience, years of classroom teaching and many rescue dogs worked with. He comes to you at home or at a local park across the Denver metro area.