Secrets to Dog Training Weekly Newsletter

Top Dog Tussles

Trudy writes: Our dog, Sam, is 3-1/2 years old and despite my efforts, he’s getting worse trying to hold Alpha rank. My husband and son refuse to "eat from Sam's bowl" to establish alpha, but are willing to use the 5 minute technique and walking away technique.

Since I am home most of the day by myself, I need to take control. Should I be the only one to "eat from the bowl" when everyone else is not home--and then place her in another room when the family eats together?

I really want to "own the bowl" without Sam thinking she is second in command. And is the 5 minute greeting technique sufficient with Sam being 3-1/2 years old? Thanks.

Daniel replies:

There are many ways for you all to send the message to Sam that you are the Alpha dog. In fact it takes many little things done every day for a dog to realize this. I have never eaten directly from a dog dish myself, and if you mean that literally, rather than figuratively, I can understand the resistance you have been meeting.

Have you read the bonus book "Secrets to Becoming the Alpha Dog"? If not, I recommend doing so as it gives you many simple suggestions as to how to establish yourself and your family as the "pack" leaders.

In addition, if your dog is displaying signs of food bowl aggression, the bonus book "Quick Guide to Dog Aggression" covers the steps you can take to eliminate this issue.

Is the 5 minute greeting technique sufficient?

No, I don't think the 5 minute greeting/walking away will be enough to send the message to your dog, but it is a great start. You certainly have the right idea.

Show him you are the boss

Here are some of the things you may want to try in order to send the right message to Sam. If everyone in your household applies these simple rules, Sam will know his place, be much happier and become a lot more responsive to commands.

If he is sleeping or lying on the floor - make him move so that you can pass by. The Alpha dog has right of way.
Give Sam no more bones. Only the Alpha dog gets bones.
Don't allow him to walk through doors or dash up/down stairs ahead of you. Make him sit and wait before letting him in or out of the house. The Alpha dog leads. This regular exercise will make the point:– walk him around the house on a leash, making him wait while you walk through the doorways first.
At mealtimes feed Sam last - after all humans have finished. The Alpha Dog eats first.
Don’t greet Sam the moment you arrive home. Have him wait until you are ready, and then call him to you. The Alpha dog gives attention when he chooses.
When Sam wants a walk, make him sit and wait until you are ready to go. The Alpha dog makes the decisions.
Do not allow him on furniture, especially your bed! Ideally, don't even let him in your bedroom.
Do not feed Sam tidbits or let him pester you when you’re eating. The Alpha dog eats first.
Do not allow him to decide when you will pet him (ie nosing you, nudging you etc). Ignore all his demands for attention. When you decide to show affection, call Sam to you and pet him, but definitely not the other way round.
When you give a command make sure you are in a position to enforce it. Also, use the Alarm-No-Command technique as described in the Alpha Dog bonus book to reprimand your dog if it does not obey your command.
When he is misbehaving, don’t yell or react. Either walk away into another room, or calmly remove Sam from the room (put him into a bathroom or separate room) for 5 minutes. Dogs HATE to be left out of the action, and this is what Mom dog would do.

All the best,

Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/

P.S. Forward this Newsletter to a friend

If you have a friend you think may be interested in training their dog or solving a particular dog behavior problem, please feel free to forward them this Newsletter.

P.P.S. Remember – you have full access to our Members’ Forum

Because you are a Member of ‘Secrets to Dog Training’ you have full access to our Members’ Forum. If you have a dog behavior question or a related problem, you are most welcome to bring it to the Forum. Post a detailed description for our trainers and fellow Members to read. Within 1-4 working days you will see recommendations on how to solve it once and for all.

If you haven’t already registered for the Forum, you can do this from the Members’ Area: http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/members/ or you can go straight there by clicking here – http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dog/forum/

Previous Newsletters

01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27

28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47