Please see articles at end of page on dog bites and pitbulls
#1~ Put your dog on whats called the "no free lunch" policy from the Humane Society of America. They must earn everything! Sit for petting, treats, food and especially at the door. The reason for this is to make them earn their priviledges! I've learned through experience that if you give dogs (and children) everything they want, when they want it, they start to feel entitled to it and start to demand it! Sit and wait at the back door to go out prevents bolting! Dogs dont know the difference between the front door, and the back door. So making them sit, helps keep them from taking off down the street!
The hardest part is simply enforcing the rules. But when you enforce in a consistant manner, your pet will start to make good manners a habit, and they learn they cant pitch a fit to get what they want because that you will not give in to them!
Leadership exercises and good doggie manners
The following exercises will help your dog respect you as a strong and benevolent leader.
Do have your dog sit and wait while you go through the door first
Dont let your dog run ahead of you to be first out the door.
Do have your dog sit and stay while you prepare and put his food on the floor. Give a release work like 'ok' to let him know he can eat. Making him wait a few moments helps him learn to control his impulse behavior
Dont allow your dog to jump or bark while his food is placed on the floor. He must wait politely.
Do touch your dog everywhere! toes, nose, teeth, paws, gums. this allows you to see any physical problems early, and makes them more comfortable for vet or groomer visits, or when you need to groom them.
Do have your dog sit or lay down before he can get any attention.
Dont pet your dog everytime he demands to be petted.
Do stare back at your dog until he breaks eye contact if he stares at you.
Dont break eye contact first.
Do play games like fetch or hide and seek. Make sure you are in control of the toys at the end.
Dont play slap or wrestle with your dog, especially puppies, as this can increase his arousal level and you or your children may get nipped.
Do practice quiet, down exercises and let your dog back up when he relaxes.
Dont roll your dog on his back, then let him up when he struggles, he must relax 1st!
I DO NOT recomend alpha rolling your dog or puppy as punishment, I've seen too many puppies hurt and injured this way! Leave that to Ceasar!
Do have your dog move from your chair of couch when you want to sit there.
Dont sit on the floor or stool and let dog have possesion of the chair, or sit in a position above/higher than you or anyone in your family.
Dont step around or over your dog if he's in the middle of the pathway, he needs to move for you!
Do speak in a firm tone when needed. Your dog will learn you are consistant and will not give in when he tests you to see what he can get by with.
Don't loose control and yell or scream at your dog, Leaders dont loose control and doing this lowers your rank in the pack and will not earn respect.
Feed your family first with dog outside kitchen/dinning room, then feed the dogs when you are finished.
All of these exercises are to show your dog that you are a strong, kind leader.
The leader tells the pack where they sleep, in what order, when they can eat and when attention/play time is.
And my #1 dog training secret is: Exercise, excercise, exercise! A pooped pooch will be too tired to be naughty! It also blows off excess energy so the dog is more focused on you and makes training easier!
If you have any questions abou this page, feel free to e-mail me at
pawdonmedogtraining@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer all your questions!
If you have ANY questions about this page or the contents on it, Please feel free to call me!
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