Pets

Just because your dog excelled in obedience class does not mean he knows your house rules. If your dog knocks people over or starts barking every few minutes, you need to work on setting some limits. Increasing exercise and training is a good start, but your dog needs to learn emotional control, too.

Obedience classes teach dogs to respond to a command. Behavior modification methods teach emotional response. Dogs need to learn how to exercise natural behaviors in acceptable ways to keep them indoors with the family. Helping your dog learn how to relax around the house is just as important as taking your pet to obedience classes to learn how to sit on command.

Animal behavior experts Susan and Roland Tripp are the authors of "On Good Behavior." For more information, visit their Web site at AnimalBehavior.net.