| In nature dogs live in groups called packs. There is | | | | inconsistent. Then, you will be working on this |
| always one clear leader among the group and it is | | | | behavior for the dog's lifetime and that will be |
| usually the confident, strongest, most trusted one. | | | | frustrating to you and the dog! If you stayed |
| The other dogs live under the command of the | | | | consistent for example about the dog not jumping |
| leader and are considered followers to that leader. | | | | on anybody with their paws then the dog will |
| They looked to their leader on how to behave | | | | happily be next to the guest without jumping |
| and when and where to eat and sleep. In the dog | | | | every time because his rules were consistently |
| world this is what works for them, what is natural | | | | taught to him! |
| for them, and what makes them happy. We need | | | | *I always tell people to set rules based on how |
| to concentrate on understanding a dogs mind if | | | | consistent you can be with them or it will not be |
| we want to be successful. We should not place | | | | worth it. The house rules will only work if you set |
| our human thinking on the dog because that | | | | them and follow them every time and all family |
| would be inaccurate. A human thinks differently | | | | members must agree and also treat the dog the |
| than a dog and when we understand that we will | | | | same way. |
| all be happier. The followers want a strong leader | | | | Dogs only understand very clear rules that are |
| that helps keep the pack in order. Most dogs | | | | black and white. Here is another area where dogs |
| prefer not to be leader because it is a very | | | | and humans are different. They do not |
| stressful job. | | | | understand the gray areas of rules like we do or |
| When we domesticated our dogs and brought | | | | the subtlety of hidden rules. If we are clear in our |
| them into our human world to live with us we did | | | | rules and consistent in our expectation of these |
| not remove this instinct in the dog to need a | | | | house rules we will have a happy, well trained dog! |
| leader. Dogs consider themselves to be part of a | | | | Set your rules, make them clear, and stick to |
| pack even when the pack involves a mixture of | | | | them. |
| dogs and humans. A dog needs a leader in their | | | | There can be more than one "human" pack |
| life and if there isn't a clear leader they have to | | | | leader. In fact, all the humans in the household, |
| take over and lead. In our human world this | | | | even the children must act like pack leader and |
| causes great problems in the dog such as, | | | | share the same rules and expectations of the |
| aggression, separation anxiety, and many other | | | | dog. One person should not have different |
| behavioral problems. Can you imagine how | | | | expectations than another. Everyone should agree |
| stressful it would be to a dog to be leader to | | | | on the dog rules and follow them consistently. |
| humans? | | | | |
| How do you know if you are pack leader or if | | | | Train your dog well so that you may take them |
| your dog is? Does your dog NOT listen to you | | | | with you to explore the world, whether it is on a |
| nor do what you ask? Does your dog pull you on | | | | hike in the mountains or a trip down the sidewalk. |
| walks? Does your dog have behaviors that you | | | | Most dogs today usually live in a house or |
| want to change but haven't been able to | | | | apartment and may have or may not have a |
| successfully? These are a few of the clear signs | | | | backyard and may occasionally go out for a short |
| that your dog is leading you! If the dog is leading | | | | walk a couple times a week. This is a common |
| the humans there will be problems guaranteed. | | | | scenario of the general dogs life I come across as |
| You are the human so you need to be leader. | | | | a trainer. And, although you may think that you |
| You can become pack leader today, right now. It | | | | give them a great life with treats and a beautiful |
| doesn't matter if you were not pack leader | | | | bed, this isn't a dog's idea of a fantastic life. We |
| yesterday. Don't worry; it can be turned around | | | | must begin this whole process by understanding |
| rather easily if you follow my guidelines. You can | | | | the way dogs and humans think differently. Once |
| become the leader today! But, you must start | | | | we understand the differences we can begin to |
| from this moment on and continue to be leader, | | | | communicate with our dogs more successfully |
| consistently from today on. I will show you how | | | | and train our dog's better! A dog's fantastic life |
| to do it. | | | | would be to explore the world with you. But, |
| You might also be surprised to know that when | | | | being able to do that in our civilized society would |
| the dog does not see you as the clear leader, | | | | mean they have to be well trained to go |
| they will not come to you when called, may pull | | | | everywhere with you! So, that will be our goal. |
| on leash, not stay consistently, jump up on you | | | | It can be a beautiful experience to have a |
| or others, or just generally not have desirable, | | | | well-trained dog. You can have a dog that is |
| "obedient" behavior. In order to successfully have | | | | happy, listens to you and that you can take out |
| a well-trained dog you must first understand that | | | | wherever you go and they will be controlled and |
| you must be pack leader in their lives and they | | | | walking next to you. You can be one of those |
| must be the follower. Without this understanding | | | | people that others envy because your dog listens |
| between you and your dog, you will not achieve | | | | to you and doesn't pull you down the street and |
| the results you want. | | | | comes to you when called. There is so much |
| Dogs actually WANT a clear leader and are | | | | potential in each and every dog. You just need to |
| HAPPIER with a clear leader. It is a lot of stress | | | | open the lines of communication in the way the |
| and a lot of work for the dog to be leader. Your | | | | dog can understand. It isn't all that hard. Just |
| dog will NOT love you more if you only give them | | | | follow my steps and you'll get there! |
| affection and no rules. I can honestly tell you that | | | | You can still love and hug and kiss your dog. But |
| your dog will love you more when there are set | | | | understand there is a time to do that and a time |
| rules for them to follow. You are not being kind | | | | not to. If the dog is behaving in a way you like |
| to your dog if you are too lenient and let them | | | | then by all means reward them with your love! |
| "get away" with bad behavior. It does not work in | | | | But if they are jumping all over a guest and you |
| the long run. What happens is you have a dog | | | | are not happy with that behavior do not reward |
| that doesn't see anyone in its life as being pack | | | | that behavior by petting them. I go into greater |
| leader and one of two things will happen; either | | | | detail about this in my website. I just wanted to |
| they will become leader and lots of problem | | | | be clear that this isn't a militant form of training. It |
| behavior will develop, or they will breakdown and | | | | is just a way that dogs actually prefer. You make |
| be fearful because they have no clear leader. As | | | | the rules, they follow them; a dog will prefer to |
| we know a dog that is fearful is not happy. So, | | | | have these rules. After you get used to the rules |
| trust me when I say, if you establish yourself as | | | | it will become second nature to you. Say for |
| clear pack leader, it is the best gift you can give | | | | example it is time to eat and you've already |
| you dog. They will love you more and be happier. | | | | established where your dog lays for that time; |
| | | | you can eventually just point to the area and say |
| What do I do to become my dog's leader? | | | | go to your bed (or whatever name you have |
| There are many ways to become pack leader. | | | | given the area) and they'll go, if that is what you |
| One of the first ways is for you to establish rules | | | | like. The dog will love to understand what you |
| in your home for your dog. There must be a set | | | | want of them. They really do want to please us |
| way the dog is allowed to behave and it must be | | | | and it is just a matter of us making it clear to |
| very clear to the dog. | | | | them on how to please us. |
| | | | Obedience training is the next step in helping you |
| 1. Basically you control the house. If they are on | | | | to become the leader. What is obedience training |
| the couch or bed and you want them off then it | | | | exactly? It is a training tool used to teach dog's |
| should be easy for you to ask them to get off. If | | | | things like sit, down, stay, come, etc. I think of it |
| it isn't, then we can see who is pack leader and it | | | | a bit like teaching a language where both you and |
| isn't you! Ha! Don't worry I'll show you how to do | | | | the dog understand each other. It gives you the |
| this as well. | | | | very valuable tool of teaching your dog |
| 2. If someone comes to the door and they bark | | | | acceptable behavior in your world together. When |
| then you should be able to stop the barking. | | | | a dog is taught these things correctly, and yes |
| 3. If a guest enters the house they should not | | | | there is a right way and awrong way, your dog |
| jump on the guest. | | | | will understand what you want and obey you |
| 4. They are not allowed to nip or bite or growl at | | | | happily. If you learn the proper techniques, you will |
| you. The dog's teeth should never be allowed on | | | | have a dog that responds to what you ask |
| you at any time even during play. | | | | consistently, and feels happier in general, whether |
| 5. If you have food on the counter the dog | | | | off leash or on. If done improperly, or |
| should not take it. | | | | inconsistently, you may confuse your dog and not |
| 6. The dog should understand which toys are | | | | have good results. That is where it can be very |
| theirs and which ones are the kid's toys. | | | | helpful to follow my website closely to perfect |
| 7. In the pack, the pack leader eats first and the | | | | these techniques and have fast, reliable results. |
| follower's wait at a designated spot. You should | | | | Everyone who has used my training techniques |
| not allow your dog to beg for your food. You | | | | has been impressed with fast results. |
| should establish a clear area where your dog is | | | | EXERCISE, EXERCISE, EXERCISE your dog! You |
| allowed to be during the time you eat and stick | | | | will not have success in any area of your training |
| with that spot every time. Everyone in the | | | | experience if your dog is not exercised properly |
| household, including the kids, need to follow all | | | | where they are allowed to drain all of their |
| these rules as well. | | | | energy. This is the number one rule of good dog |
| 8. When it is the dogs turn to eat there are also | | | | behavior. "A good dog is a tired dog". Daily, |
| very clear rules you need to follow. The dog | | | | controlled (no-pulling), walks establish your |
| should not be allowed to bark, and jump all over | | | | leadership as well as draining the wound up energy |
| you while they wait for you to prepare and give | | | | of a dog. I can show you how to have a |
| their food. They should be waiting, preferably | | | | controlled walk with your dog and what type of |
| sitting quietly and only then would you put their | | | | exercise is right (and enough) for your dog |
| food bowl down. If you put their food bowl down | | | | through my website: |
| while they are barking at you then you have just | | | | Good house rules for the dog to follow: |
| rewarded them for that behavior. You should also | | | | * You own the house and what is in it. You have |
| be allowed as pack leader to take the food away | | | | the right to take away whatever you want |
| or reach into their food bowl whenever you want. | | | | without a problem including food, toys and treats. |
| 9. The dog that snaps at you, growls or bites | | | | * You choose where the dog is allowed to sleep |
| during feeding time is a clear indication they do | | | | and where he/she is allowed to be. Make these |
| not see you as pack leader. A pack leader owns | | | | rules clear. |
| that food bowl at all times and can do whatever | | | | * When you are eating the dog is not allowed to |
| they want with it. If you feed the dog expecting | | | | beg and should stay a distance of several feet |
| calmness from them EVERY feeding, you will be | | | | away at a designated area. |
| establishing your role as pack leader. | | | | * The dog must be calm before getting it's own |
| 10. This holds true for treats and toys as well. | | | | food. |
| You as pack leader own everything and can take | | | | * No paws on you or guests when the dog is |
| it away and give it back without any problem. | | | | jumping in excitement. |
| You need to set very clear rules. It is possible for | | | | * The dog's teeth are not allowed on anyone at |
| the dog to easily follow all these rules and many | | | | any time even if you think it is a playful nip. Playful |
| more. Remember, they will be happy to know | | | | nips turn into dog bites very easily. |
| what is expected of them! | | | | * All household members must follow the same |
| Consistency is very important. I can tell you right | | | | rules. |
| now that if you are clear only 90% of the time, | | | | In summary, you begin training by becoming pack |
| that extra 10% will be just enough to confuse the | | | | leader in your home with set rules, along with an |
| dog and not understand what is truly expected. | | | | obedience program, and make sure you are |
| So, for example, if you occasionally allow your | | | | draining your dog's energy with lots of exercise. |
| dog to jump on certain houseguests as a greeting | | | | These are the three most important things for |
| but other times you expect them not to jump on | | | | you to learn to begin your successful path to a |
| another guest then that would be unfair and | | | | well-trained dog! |