Dog Training Methods

When leaving your house or car, make sure that you always leave before your dog. This is unmistakably behavior of the alpha - to a dog, the alpha always leaves first. If you let him exit the house or car ahead of you, you are saying to him, "You're stronger than me and you should go first because you're the decision-maker". Inside doors aren't as important, but every time you leave the house or car to go outside, make sure that your dog waits for you to go first, and until you release him to go.

Don't allow him free access to the whole house. The house is your den and you're letting him to be inside. Keep certain parts of the house strictly for you, such as your bed, certain furniture, or some certain rooms.

Make your dog wait for his food. You and your family should always eat before him - if this means he has to wait an extra half hour or so for his food, that is fine. When you put his food down for him to eat, make him sit and wait until you release him to eat. Try not to keep his feeding schedule the same, so he knows that you are in charge of his food - don't let him form expectations of when he should get his food.

When you get home, don't jet over to your dog and shower him with affection. That is not alpha behavior at all. When an alpha dog gets home, he doesn't go to the other dogs and say, "I'm Home ! I missed you guys! Let's cuddle!". The alpha totally ignores everyone else, relaxes for a little while, maybe has a bite to eat, and only interacts with them when he's good & ready. Even though you're probably good & ready to interact with your dog as soon as you get home, it will make more sense to him if you ignore him for a little while when first getting home.

Never allow your dog to start and initiate play. If he nudges you for attention or to play, he's really saying: "I'm the boss and I'm telling you to play with me right now." If he starts bugging you for attention, ignore him and get up and do something else. Wait until he gives up before initiating to play. Playtime is an excellent way to bond with your dog, but it should always be done on your terms, not his.