Rules of the Pack

The following rules are recommended to help achieve successful dog training while minimizing unwanted behavior.

The following should not be allowed:

• Free rewards such as treats, toys, activities or affection. 
• Play biting or rough games
• Talking to dog in high pitch voice, unless used as praise/reward
• Greeting dog excitedly
• Laying or sleeping on furniture, chairs, or beds
• Access to areas such as bathrooms, bedrooms, and kitchen
• Free access to food
• Eating before or while the human is eating. 
• Participate in dominant behavior such as marking and mounting.
• Allowing the dog to eat stool (feces or poop) also known as coprophagia

DON’Ts

Do not punish while you are angry, frustrated, impatient, or lack control.

Do not lose your temper while training.  The dog will lose respect for you.

Do not chase the dog to catch it; it must come to you or follow after you.

Do not coax the dog to you and then turn upon it with punishment.

Do not punish the dog for failure to obey unless you are certain that it understood fully what you commanded.

Do not praise the dog for doing a certain act, and then at a later time, scold it for doing the same.

Do not permit anyone to give commands to the dog while you are training it.

Do not leave your dog alone in the car, truck bed, or tied up outside a shop.  Theft is on the rise.

TIPS

Dogs get bored easily.  Get out and get moving.  Sign up for an activity such as agility class, Dog Scouts, or high level obedience.  Play games you both enjoy.  It’s a great stress reliever for both of you!

Never stop training.  Reinforce training through the pet’s life.  Always carry high value treats just in case! 

Dogs need calm, confident leaders.  It isn’t about dominating and making him submissive to you.  Be a teacher and build your dog’s confidence.

You are what you eat.  Examine your dog’s diet and improve it. 

Get your pet micro chipped.  You’ll have a better chance of your pet being returned to you if it gets lost, stolen, found or shows up at a local shelter. 

Have your dog checked by a veterinarian at least once a year and always keep vaccines, flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention up to date.

Your dog should never be a burden.  Take the time to train your dog so it has the tools to live a healthy and balanced life.

If a dog jumps or is excessively seeking attention, turn away, ignore the dog or have it lay near you.

Always enter a doorway before the dog whenever possible such as when going outside and inside.  This includes gates.

If you need to a deterrent, try a spray bottle for unwanted behaviors.  You could also try putting objects in a cup and using it as a shaker.

All dogs must sit and stay sitting while food is being put in front of them and should not be allowed to touch the food until told to do so. 

When feeding, the calmest dog should be fed first. 

Redirect your dog’s attention whenever possible to avoid unwanted behaviors. 

Always greet guests and other house members before greeting the pets. 

Dogs are not to be fooled.  They have a sense of humiliation as well as a sense of pride.

Commands always should be given in the same words with the same tone and speed of voice when speaking.

Anticipate the dog’s actions.  Think ahead of time and give your command before the dog acts or moves.

Reward or punishment should follow quickly after every act.  To punish a dog at any other time than instantly after the wrong act is cruelty rather than part of training, for the dog does not connect the punishment to the act.

Remember that a dog cannot ask questions, nor can it understand all you say.  It knows only the words, commands and names you teach it.

Never try to teach a dog anything until you yourself have a thorough knowledge of how to teach it, and a clear mental picture of each stage.

You must always finish a training period on a good note and be the one to end it, not the dog.  Never leave off if dog did something wrong or left on his own, or is full.  Get one last command accomplished then finish with “All Done”

Most importantly, HAVE PATIENCE AND BE CONSISTENT!