Positive and consistent training, both in action and in attitude, are needed to remain in control of your puppy. In the dog pack, a dog will assume a position in the hierarchy based on its genetics and the results of its ongoing social interactions with other pack members. Although the human household may not be entirely representative of a dog pack, any dominant displays, postures or attitudes toward the owners (e.g. nipping, excessive mouthing, mounting, jumping up) must be discouraged, while obedience or deference to the owners should be encouraged. At the very least, if these behaviors have been reinforced or are allowed to continue unabated, they become increasingly difficult to resolve and may even progress to more intensive displays of overexuberance, disobedience, dominance and aggression.
A. Be fair
1. Be consistent with rewards and corrections. Set rules that everyone observes. This is the only way that the puppy can learn what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Remember, English is NOT their first language, positive or negative body postures and expressions are what he understands best.
2. Don’t take good behaviors for granted.
3. Be generous with praise; give much more praise than scolding. Set him up to succeed by remaining 5 steps ahead of him, rather than wait until he fails.
4. Never hit the puppy or use any type of physical punishment. The "no nonsense" energy you project, along with a firm NO!, clap of the hands, stomp of the foot, is enough to tell him you are a disapointed leader.
B. Make the puppy aware of your importance in his life.
1. Feed him on schedule at specific times. Feeding after vigorous exercise makes more sense to a dog because in the wild, food is hunted, ran down, and then consumed with the dog's body being drained of energy. This will help the dog stay in touch with his "follower" instincts.
2. Make the puppy say please by responding to a command before he gets anything he wants or needs (dinner, treats, toys, picked up, walks, petting, play). It may help to keep in mind one of these two catch phrases “Learn to Earn” or “Nothing in Life is Free”
3. Once he learns to stay, ask him to stay for a second or two before following you around the home, in and out of rooms, and in and out of the home. Own every room in your home by maintaining boundries that can only be crossed when invited. This also helps him accept his role as a follower.
C. Do not allow the puppy to take control. In the wild, the one who takes initiative for the whole pack is the one responsible for the survival of the whole pack. Those who hold rulership MUST be the law-enforcement as well. If a dog has the mindset of the leader, he will develop "behavior problems" in our human lifestyle.
1. Do not allow him to constantly solicit attention.
2. Do not defer or give in to the puppy’s demands, unless the behavior is desirable (e.g. barking at the door to eliminate outdoors). .
3. Teach the puppy to stop rough play on command.
4. Curb over overexuberance by increasing exercise.
D. Show your leadership in actions
1. Train your puppy to learn commands and then insist that he is immediately responsive. If the puppy ignores you or refuses to obey, gently but immediately show the puppy what is expected.
2. Be certain that you are the one to initiate all that is positive. This means that the puppy should not get affection, attention or treats on demand, but rather when they are initiated by you or when you are using them to reward a desired behavior.
