COOPERATION THROUGH LEADERSHIP

If you want a well-behaved and obedient dog, you must be your dog's master and leader. Many un-wanted behaviors are the result of confusion over who the leader is. If your dog is not sure who the leader is (or is sure it is him or her), he likely will constantly try to assert himself and make problems.

Bribing your dog with food or forcing will not work. You need to get your dog to cooperate.

• Never hit or yell at your dog. It almost always makes problems worse.
• Feed dog(s) on schedule, twice daily. Leave food down only for 20 minutes.
• You decide when, and if, your dog greets friends, strangers and other dogs.
• You initiate and end play.
• You decide when, and if, you pet you dog.
• Cut down on MEANINGLESS petting. Use petting for reward and praise instead.
• Don't repeat commands you can't enforce, i.e., "sit, sit, sit, sit, sit sit sit."
• Do not get louder and louder when giving commands. Be firm, not loud.
• Do not bend down or over while giving commands.
• If your dog tries to stare you down, you must win the staring contest.
• Don't let your dog muscle you, block your way, or lay on you feet.
• Allowing dogs on furniture, or especially on beds, is asking for trouble. Leaders maintain higher positions.
• Use the "Down" command often. "Down" makes your dog respect you because it is a submissive position.
• Hitting or yelling almost always makes bad behavior worse and always causes more problems.

This is written to be informative and helpful. Implementing all these leadership guidelines may not be appropriate or easy without the proper training and can even make matters worse for you and your dog. Feel free to call us with your questions or concerns.

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707-738-0997
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