Be the Leader and Let Your Dog Follow!

This is a non-confrontational training program which puts you in control of your dog’s behavior.  It allows you to be a “leader” to your dog through both training and management.  Some of these exercises will become a long term part of your dog’s life and others will be able to be faded from your dog’s routine as training progresses.  Most adult dogs will need to be on this program at least two months before freedoms are slowly given back or exercises are faded.  Doing this too soon will cause setbacks in your dog’s training.

While working with your dog in this program, it is crucial that you:

1. Be consistent with each exercise.

2. Be fair to your dog.

3. Follow the whole program, not just the parts which are most convenient.

If you feel your dog may bite you during an exercise, don’t do it!  Talk with your instructor about what should be done.

Following the Leader

As  much as possible (at least an hour or two a day) when you are at home keep your dog on a leash attached to you.  This teaches your dog to keep an eye on you and accommodate to your movements. While your dog is attached to you, go about your daily business and pay little attention to him.  Don’t tell your dog you are moving or try to coax him.  Instead, make it his responsibility to follow his leader around.

This can be an inconvenient exercise but the more often you can do this, the quicker you will see positive changes in your dog’s attitude.

No More Free Lunches!

Feed your adult dog two meals a day.  Before setting your dog’s bowl down, your dog must say “please” by sitting.  If your dog tries to dive into the bowl before you give him permission, pick the bowl up and start again.  If your dog stops eating and/or walks away from the bowl pick up the bowl and don’t offer food again until the next meal.  Never free feed (leave food out around the clock) your dog, you must control your dog’s most important resource - FOOD!

At least four times a week feed your dog one meal by hand.  This allows you to be more in control of your dog’s food.  Divide your dog’s meal into several parts, which your dog will need to perform simple commands for.  Have your dog sit, down, spin, etc. for each part of his meal.

Dogs who never have to work for anything can become quite spoiled, seeing no reason to obey their owner since they get everything they need for free.

Control the Space

Controlling the best spots to sleep are ways dogs establish authority with each other.  It is entirely personal preference if you allow your dog on the furniture or not.  If you do however, you dog must learn to move off the furniture with just a simple command such as “OFF”.  If your dog ever becomes aggressive when you try to get him off furniture, he should be banned from being on it.  If your dog has respect problems, do not allow him to sleep on your bed with you.  Instead, have your dog sleep in a crate.

Dogs can also attempt to control space by lying in a high traffic area and making you walk around them. In doggy society lesser ranked dogs move around higher ranked dogs.  If your dog is lying in your way, shuffle your feet right through him.  You don’t want to hurt him (that’s why you shuffle) but you do want to make him move for you.

When first starting out with this training program you will want to restrict your dog’s freedom around the house.  You will do this at first by not allowing your dog to be loose in the house unless he is in the same room as you.  If you are not home or unable to have your dog with you he will be confined to his crate (with chew toys if possible).  He can be on a lead and move room to room with you or off lead in the same room you are in.  He may not wander around the house as he pleases.  In time you will slowly allow your dog more freedom, one room at a time.

Dog Inspection!

Once a day perform a “dog inspection” on your dog by handling your dog all over.  Make sure your can touch and examine every part of your dog’s body.  If your dog gets fussy go slow at first, teaching him to accept handling one part at a time.  When your dog relaxes and accepts you handling him tell him “OK” and let him get up.

Politeness Pays

Have your dog “say ‘Please’” by sitting for everything he finds rewarding.  Your dog should have to sit for petting, sit to go in and out of doors, sit for treats, sit before being released to play with other dogs, sit before coming out of his crate, sit to have a leash put on or taken off, etc.  If your dog enjoys it, he should have to ask you for it by sitting.  This exercise alone will take care of common behavior problem such as jumping up to greet, bolting through the door/gate and leaping out of the car.

All Fun and Games

You should be in control of your dog’s play and toys.  Pick up your dog’s toys and put them out of his reach.  Leave only a couple chew toys available for free to your dog.  Several times a day bring out your dog’s other toys and initiate games with him.  If he doesn’t want to play with you simply put the toys away again.

Your dog should drag a “long line” (a very long leash) whenever he is outside.  The long line allows you to control what your dog is doing and enforce the Come command.  The line should be long enough that you can easily step on or pick it up wherever you are.

Do Your Daily Chores

Twice a day have two short obedience sessions with your dog for 5-10 minutes.  Run through all the commands our dog knows and teach some new ones.

A Healthy Mind In a Healthy Body

Dogs need physical exercise to stay physically and mentally healthy.  Your dog should receive at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every other day.  Aerobic exercise is anything that makes your dog pant steadily and can include jogging, road work, treadmill, retrieving, swimming or pulling.  On the off days be sure your dog is still being exercised in some manner, such as walking.  Many behavior problems are made worse by lack of proper mental and physical exercise.  Remember, diet also plays a large role in your dog’s physical health and well being.