21/09/2026
At puppy group, Ritchie is learning a very important word… NO! 🐾
In this clip, Ritchie asks Winnie to play. Now, Winnie usually says "YES! Let's play!" — but today she's not feeling her usual self. So she rebuffs him with silent body language… and Ritchie gets the message! Great work, Ritchie!
…or did he? 😄
No more than TEN seconds later, our boy has convinced himself that Winnie clearly made a mistake — of course she wants to play with him! So he asks again, in a much stronger way. Winnie is NOT impressed. First she tries to avoid his advances, but when he keeps coming, she tells him loudly: "NO! I don't want to play!" And this time, Ritchie truly gets the message.
Now — why did Winnie need to be so harsh? Well, she didn't start that way. She said no nicely, with polite body language. Then she said it again. It was only when Ritchie refused to accept her no — and started telling her she WAS going to play — that she had to make herself absolutely clear. That's not aggression, that's fair communication. She warned, she escalated proportionately, and the moment he listened, it was over. If you see an older dog "tell off" a puppy like this, don't panic — you're often watching a brilliant lesson in manners.
Because learning NO is one of the most important lessons a puppy can have. "No" is information, not rejection! Puppies who never learn it grow into adolescent and adult dogs who are overbearing and demanding — much like undisciplined children! 😅 Puppies who DO learn it grow into dogs that other dogs actually want to be around.
Well done Winnie for teaching, and well done Ritchie for (eventually!) listening. 💙 This is exactly why puppies need time with good, honest adult dogs.