Strategies

#1 Crate Manners

Using a crate not only makes house training a breeze, it's also a fundamental leadership exercise. Young puppies need many hours of sleep or calm dozing each day. Older dogs also benefit from lots of down time. All ages benefit from the calm state of mind learning to relax and enjoy their crate or "den" brings. From the very first day you welcome any new dog into your home, a correctly sized crate is a must - both for the dog's state of mind, as well as to establish foundational leadership.

#2 Food - how this "gift" is received

Food will play a big part in training, both actively (use pieces of their meal to reinforce good choices;) and passively. We actively train using the dog or puppy's daily meal as positive rewards to reinforce good choices. Food and the process of how it is served when not actively training becomes a passive reinforcer. This can be positive, but it's up to you to make sure your dog learns to behave politely when you give them the gift of a meal. In the wild, food was never simply "delivered" in a bowl. A canine evolved to work (hunt) for it's food. In a domesticated dog, "working" for food can take the form of displaying good manners and waiting patiently. 

#3 Threshold Manners

How you and your dog enter and exit the home sets the stage for your walk, and their behavior in public. Threshold manners (going through doors that lead outside and back in,) are another important leadership skill. Waiting at a door for permission is also a BIG safety issue. No one wants their dog to rush out the door whenever it's opened; and it's our responsibility to teach them what we expect. Yes, you could plan to hold them on leash every time the door opens. But you can bet life will present you with plenty of opportunities when that door is opened for just a moment - and your dog is overcome with the urge to bolt for that freedom. The answer is training. Simply teaching them to wait for permission going in, and going out, will teach your dog to control their impulse to race headlong into trouble or worse. Take the time to teach solid doorway manners, and you're well on your way to a better and safer relationship for you both!

#4 Leadership when walking

Being your dog's leader, (rather than allowing them to lead you,) is one of the MOST critical skills you can bring to your relationship. A "structured walk" means the dog is at your side, and walking at your pace. Slow down, go faster, even require a sit when you come to a stop. These simple skills translate as human leadership to dogs. Most canines are far more comfortable in our human world when they have a confident leader to follow. A regular structured walk will set the tone for good canine behavior, both at home, and out in pubic. 

#5 Are you raising a puppy? or ultimately a good Dog?

When we bring a puppy or a new dog into our home, they are often universally irresistible! It's only natural to want to shower them with love and affection. Their antics are adorable, and bring us joy & often laughter in the moment. But the truth is that like adorable toddlers, they won't just "outgrow" unwanted behavior. It's our job as their owners/parents to give them both positive feedback for good choices, and negative (but fair) feedback for behavior that is not in their (or the family's) best interest.  Small but significant changes in leadership can make all the difference in your dog's outlook on the household they have been brought into.   The foundation of a healthy, safe, and secure pet/owner relationship needs to be built on more than just affection and love.  Basic training to get off to a great start (with any age dog) include:

   - Door Manners (incl. crate training)

   - The Place (down-stay) Command

   - Food Manners (how we feed them)

   - A Structured Walk

   - Leadership training