How does your dog see you….Leader or Follower?
You might be surprised that you are actually following, not leading. Try and answer these questions.
1.Does your dog usually walk ahead of you, not looking back either in the house or when you go for a walk?
Does he tug or bite at the leash?
2. You know when he wants to play because he…Brings you a toy/ball? Or Barks at you? Plays “keep away”?
3. You know when he wants attention (wants to be petted or you’re ignoring him) because he:
A). gets up under your hands?
B ). barks or makes noises (whining included)?
C). puts his head on you or puts a paw on your leg or knee?
D). Jumps up on you with both feet or just stands upright looming over you?
4. When going thru doors he always dashes ahead?
5. He’s not listening to you and doesn’t pay attention to you?
6. Jumps up on the couch/chair/bed uninvited?
7. Sits with you with a paw on your foot or lays on your feet, or likes to lean into you?
8. He’s growled or refuses to budge when you try to move him or take something away from him?
9. When he's laying asleep, do you try to walk around him or step over him, so you don't disturb him?
If you are afraid of your dog, or he's nipped or bitten you or anyone, a Certified Behaviorist is needed. Don't try these solutions/tips yet.
See below for solutions and tips. Training is always the Key when you have a dog.
Make sure a vet has checked him out. You need to teach him "sit" first before asking for it. Every dog needs a leader, if you do not take the position he will. Once he's in that position, he'll either resist giving up his status, or change because he never wanted the position to begin with.
All family members need to do this. You need to give the dog an attitude adjustment, but you can not meet aggressiveness with aggressiveness, no alpha rolls or neck shakes. Stand up straight, scowl on face, a deeper or lower voice and even a well placed “EH!” sound will let him know you mean business.
You don’t need to yell at the dog, you need to be calm but confident.
From now on you will practice Nothing In Life Is Free. The dog must earn everything he gets. Sit is what he needs to do for anything he wants. Dinner? Sit (only say it once). No Sit? Food goes on counter, walk away and try again 2 minutes later.
You control ALL resources, anything the dog enjoys or likes. Wants to sleep on the couch? okay but sit or down for me and I'll invite you up.
Solution/Tip #1: Do not let him pull or walk in front of you, he's leading you out on the forage/hunt trip. Let him potty before you head out, this way he doesn’t need to pee and mark everywhere. He doesn’t need a formal heel, that’s no fun, and too much concentration for any length of time. But, a loose leash walk next to you, where his head doesn’t go past the length of your stride, or where your foot falls, is good enough. He doesn’t get to mark or sniff every blade of grass unless you allow it, keep walking if he wants to stop, don’t let him get a chance to.
Talk to him, tell him he's walking good, praise him for doing so, this way he knows he's doing what you want. After maybe 15 or 20 minutes of good walking make him sit and tell him” okay” release him and let him sniff around or lay in the grass, if he wouldn’t pee at home, let him do so if he needs too. In the house, if he wants to rush ahead of you, (a lot of herding breeds do this), as he starts to come up along side of you, cut him off by using your body to block the access, or sometimes it's just easier to just change direction, you may get dizzy for awhile but it will teach him to wait and see which way you're going. Don't let your dog put a paw over the leash or grab, tug or chew on your leash. Apply Bitter Apple or some type of taste deterrent or just tell him "stop" or Uh-Uh. When you teach him "leave it", that can be used so he will leave it alone.
Solution/Tip #2: If he brings you a toy or ball and drops it in your lap tell him “Uh-Uh” and calmly put the toy back on the floor, keep doing it until he gives up. If he starts barking at you, tell him “quiet” and leave the room if he doesn't do so (see #3 below). After he gives up, you know he wants to play, you can pick up the object and start the game, the difference is it’s under your terms not his when play happens.
Solution/Tip #3: Do not let him demand attention from you:
(A), remove your hand quickly don’t let it slide over him, say Uh-Uh and ignore him.
( B ). Teach him to stop barking. For whining say “quiet” if they do not, get up and leave the room and go behind a closed door for a maximum of 30 seconds, come back out if he's quiet for at least 3 seconds after the 30 seconds is up, only come out if he's calm and quiet.
(C & D). Tell him “off”, and tell him sit if he's standing or jumping , praise calmly if he's calm.
You can call him to you 1000 times a day for pets and love, but it’s under your terms, and until he understands you're the leader, keep this to a minimum, call him over for petting for a few seconds and then that’s it until later.
Solution/Tip #4: Teach him “wait”, or get a leash (for safety) and correct him (not with the leash) using your voice and confident manner to tell him “uh-Uh” if he tries to rush thru, you can block the doorway with your body, have him sit before you step thru the door, then invite him thru..
Solution/Tip #5: Teach him a focus exercise like “watch me”. If he realizes you’re in charge he will start to listen to you, this one falls into place once the NILIF starts, and the teenage phase of his life ends.
Solution/Tip #6: Dogs are not allowed the privilege of being on the best places in the house, where the leader sleeps or sits. Only when you invite him. Sleeping with you sends the wrong signals.
He's at the very least equal with you. Sleeping in his own space, crate or on a bed next to yours is fine.
Maybe sleeping with you can be a goal, but after he knows who is the leader and only if he will sit and gets invited up. Teach him the "Off" command.
Solution/Tip#7. Keep him off of you. If he tries to take your space, do not move away to make room for him, tell him “off” or lean back into him so he gets displaced, not you. Some social type dogs lean on us for social contact, if a dog comes to you with ears back, head lowered, and soft eye contact and leans on you, that's social contact, you can let them, just don't move your foot from under them, or move away, without telling them, "okay get up", or " let's go"
Solution/Tip #8. This is a hard one, if your dog has growled or nipped at you at you for anything, you will need to really control things, no pigs ears or food type things until he can drop them when you say so, get him off or away from something by using a treat and then control the environment, use booby traps or shut doors and such to keep him off the furniture for now, so there is no physical confrontation. Get a Professional trainer, (look at APDT.com website for listed trainers who use Positive Reinforcement)
It’s always best to get a vet exam to be sure nothing is medically wrong to cause aggressive behavior.
Solution/Tip #9. If your dog likes to sleep in doorways or in the hallway and you have to step around him or over him, don't do it. Tell him to move, you are coming thru. Whistle, clap your hands, shuffle your feet towards him, make him move.
Some dogs get slightly worse before they get better. Consult a trainer. NILIF is a non confrontational way to give your dog an attitude adjustment.
Don’t bend over and give commands, stand up straight in a position of authority. Get eye contact and tell him one time what you want, if he knows the cue word, he should comply, if not, deepen/lower your voice, step into him, and tell him again. Wait for him to comply, if he tries to leave, say “uh-uh” and try again. You do not want to repeat your cue words over and over, he will start to tune you out.
Don’t get on the floor and have your dog jump all over you.
No giving of food from table, no begging, do not free feed, he needs to earn it.
A dog that sees you as Leader will usually come to you with head lowered, a tail wag and/or ears back. Not a crawl submissive posture, but a happy I know you lead look. Teach him what you want thru training.
Be calm and confident.
(Leader or Follower) All thoughts are from the author only.
All of the material contained in this handout is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, copy by writing the information down or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Drgnrdr. If and/or when permission is given, any reproduction of this handout must contain the authors name and credit given to them. Not to be misinterpreted coming from any major Pet store or their affiliates.. All Rights Reserved
You might be surprised that you are actually following, not leading. Try and answer these questions.
1.Does your dog usually walk ahead of you, not looking back either in the house or when you go for a walk?
Does he tug or bite at the leash?
2. You know when he wants to play because he…Brings you a toy/ball? Or Barks at you? Plays “keep away”?
3. You know when he wants attention (wants to be petted or you’re ignoring him) because he:
A). gets up under your hands?
B ). barks or makes noises (whining included)?
C). puts his head on you or puts a paw on your leg or knee?
D). Jumps up on you with both feet or just stands upright looming over you?
4. When going thru doors he always dashes ahead?
5. He’s not listening to you and doesn’t pay attention to you?
6. Jumps up on the couch/chair/bed uninvited?
7. Sits with you with a paw on your foot or lays on your feet, or likes to lean into you?
8. He’s growled or refuses to budge when you try to move him or take something away from him?
9. When he's laying asleep, do you try to walk around him or step over him, so you don't disturb him?
If you are afraid of your dog, or he's nipped or bitten you or anyone, a Certified Behaviorist is needed. Don't try these solutions/tips yet.
See below for solutions and tips. Training is always the Key when you have a dog.
Make sure a vet has checked him out. You need to teach him "sit" first before asking for it. Every dog needs a leader, if you do not take the position he will. Once he's in that position, he'll either resist giving up his status, or change because he never wanted the position to begin with.
All family members need to do this. You need to give the dog an attitude adjustment, but you can not meet aggressiveness with aggressiveness, no alpha rolls or neck shakes. Stand up straight, scowl on face, a deeper or lower voice and even a well placed “EH!” sound will let him know you mean business.
You don’t need to yell at the dog, you need to be calm but confident.
From now on you will practice Nothing In Life Is Free. The dog must earn everything he gets. Sit is what he needs to do for anything he wants. Dinner? Sit (only say it once). No Sit? Food goes on counter, walk away and try again 2 minutes later.
You control ALL resources, anything the dog enjoys or likes. Wants to sleep on the couch? okay but sit or down for me and I'll invite you up.
Solution/Tip #1: Do not let him pull or walk in front of you, he's leading you out on the forage/hunt trip. Let him potty before you head out, this way he doesn’t need to pee and mark everywhere. He doesn’t need a formal heel, that’s no fun, and too much concentration for any length of time. But, a loose leash walk next to you, where his head doesn’t go past the length of your stride, or where your foot falls, is good enough. He doesn’t get to mark or sniff every blade of grass unless you allow it, keep walking if he wants to stop, don’t let him get a chance to.
Talk to him, tell him he's walking good, praise him for doing so, this way he knows he's doing what you want. After maybe 15 or 20 minutes of good walking make him sit and tell him” okay” release him and let him sniff around or lay in the grass, if he wouldn’t pee at home, let him do so if he needs too. In the house, if he wants to rush ahead of you, (a lot of herding breeds do this), as he starts to come up along side of you, cut him off by using your body to block the access, or sometimes it's just easier to just change direction, you may get dizzy for awhile but it will teach him to wait and see which way you're going. Don't let your dog put a paw over the leash or grab, tug or chew on your leash. Apply Bitter Apple or some type of taste deterrent or just tell him "stop" or Uh-Uh. When you teach him "leave it", that can be used so he will leave it alone.
Solution/Tip #2: If he brings you a toy or ball and drops it in your lap tell him “Uh-Uh” and calmly put the toy back on the floor, keep doing it until he gives up. If he starts barking at you, tell him “quiet” and leave the room if he doesn't do so (see #3 below). After he gives up, you know he wants to play, you can pick up the object and start the game, the difference is it’s under your terms not his when play happens.
Solution/Tip #3: Do not let him demand attention from you:
(A), remove your hand quickly don’t let it slide over him, say Uh-Uh and ignore him.
( B ). Teach him to stop barking. For whining say “quiet” if they do not, get up and leave the room and go behind a closed door for a maximum of 30 seconds, come back out if he's quiet for at least 3 seconds after the 30 seconds is up, only come out if he's calm and quiet.
(C & D). Tell him “off”, and tell him sit if he's standing or jumping , praise calmly if he's calm.
You can call him to you 1000 times a day for pets and love, but it’s under your terms, and until he understands you're the leader, keep this to a minimum, call him over for petting for a few seconds and then that’s it until later.
Solution/Tip #4: Teach him “wait”, or get a leash (for safety) and correct him (not with the leash) using your voice and confident manner to tell him “uh-Uh” if he tries to rush thru, you can block the doorway with your body, have him sit before you step thru the door, then invite him thru..
Solution/Tip #5: Teach him a focus exercise like “watch me”. If he realizes you’re in charge he will start to listen to you, this one falls into place once the NILIF starts, and the teenage phase of his life ends.
Solution/Tip #6: Dogs are not allowed the privilege of being on the best places in the house, where the leader sleeps or sits. Only when you invite him. Sleeping with you sends the wrong signals.
He's at the very least equal with you. Sleeping in his own space, crate or on a bed next to yours is fine.
Maybe sleeping with you can be a goal, but after he knows who is the leader and only if he will sit and gets invited up. Teach him the "Off" command.
Solution/Tip#7. Keep him off of you. If he tries to take your space, do not move away to make room for him, tell him “off” or lean back into him so he gets displaced, not you. Some social type dogs lean on us for social contact, if a dog comes to you with ears back, head lowered, and soft eye contact and leans on you, that's social contact, you can let them, just don't move your foot from under them, or move away, without telling them, "okay get up", or " let's go"
Solution/Tip #8. This is a hard one, if your dog has growled or nipped at you at you for anything, you will need to really control things, no pigs ears or food type things until he can drop them when you say so, get him off or away from something by using a treat and then control the environment, use booby traps or shut doors and such to keep him off the furniture for now, so there is no physical confrontation. Get a Professional trainer, (look at APDT.com website for listed trainers who use Positive Reinforcement)
It’s always best to get a vet exam to be sure nothing is medically wrong to cause aggressive behavior.
Solution/Tip #9. If your dog likes to sleep in doorways or in the hallway and you have to step around him or over him, don't do it. Tell him to move, you are coming thru. Whistle, clap your hands, shuffle your feet towards him, make him move.
Some dogs get slightly worse before they get better. Consult a trainer. NILIF is a non confrontational way to give your dog an attitude adjustment.
Don’t bend over and give commands, stand up straight in a position of authority. Get eye contact and tell him one time what you want, if he knows the cue word, he should comply, if not, deepen/lower your voice, step into him, and tell him again. Wait for him to comply, if he tries to leave, say “uh-uh” and try again. You do not want to repeat your cue words over and over, he will start to tune you out.
Don’t get on the floor and have your dog jump all over you.
No giving of food from table, no begging, do not free feed, he needs to earn it.
A dog that sees you as Leader will usually come to you with head lowered, a tail wag and/or ears back. Not a crawl submissive posture, but a happy I know you lead look. Teach him what you want thru training.
Be calm and confident.
(Leader or Follower) All thoughts are from the author only.
All of the material contained in this handout is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, copy by writing the information down or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from Drgnrdr. If and/or when permission is given, any reproduction of this handout must contain the authors name and credit given to them. Not to be misinterpreted coming from any major Pet store or their affiliates.. All Rights Reserved
We went onto our upper property ( part wooded) and I had her on a 16 foot tether to let her run. She saw a cat, and the cat approached her, she bolted and pulled me to the neighbor's yard! A regained control via a brick wall to use as leverage. She completely ignored my "No, and stop" commands. My hand is torn up from the tether strap. Now when we walk it is short leash and Wait, Stop, and Come are repeated throughout the entire walk. Is this the right thing to do? She is given praise, petting, and treats for right responses.
Thanks to all for the help! I pray a lot...and am thankful for answers!
