Showing Your Dog Who's The Boss

Before you begin training your dog, settle who is in charge of your "pack." Address that issue with leadership exercises so that the actual training can truly be as much fun as it is supposed to be. You may do a simple four-week leadership program that consists of the thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit,” each done three times a week, on alternate days. Both can be practiced at any time of the day, so long as you keep an eye on your pet.

On the first week, sit your dog at your left side. Kneel next to him, both of you facing in the same direction. Drape your left arm across his shoulder and hold your hand, palm up, behind his left foreleg, just below the elbow. Place your right hand behind the right foreleg. Supporting your dog's forelegs on your palms, lift him into the begging position and lower him onto the ground with a “Down” command.

When you lift him into the begging position, keep your thumbs either up or folded in your palms so that you cannot accidentally apply pressure on his forelegs. Take your hands off him and keep still. Every time your dog gets up, put him back. After thirty minutes, give the release word "Ok," even if he has fallen asleep, to let him know the exercise is over. Practice this exercise three times during the training week, on alternate days.

Most dogs, after several attempts at getting up, resign themselves to remaining in position for the thirty minutes. Some, on the other hand, literally kick and scream almost the entire time. It is the latter who need this exercise the most, and you will have to remain patient and calm. Increase the frequency of this exercise, and do it every day. If your dog is really bouncy, you may want to teach this exercise on a leash. Sit in a chair next to the dog and then sit on the leash so your hands are free to put him in position.

The purpose of this exercise is to teach your dog who is in charge and for your dog to accept you as pack leader. Your ability to physically place and keep your dog in the “Down” position is an absolutely necessary component of that purpose. Once your dog accepts you as leader, all further training will go smoothly.

On the second week, sit in a chair next to your dog as you practice the thirty-minute “Down”. For the ten-minute “Sit,” place him into a “Sit” as follows: With him standing at your left side, both of you facing in the same direction, place your right hand against his chest and your left hand on his shoulders. With your left hand, stroke down the entire length of the dog's back, over the tail all the way to the dog's knees. With equal pressure of the right hand and the left, fold him into a sit with the command "Sit." Take your hands off the dog and keep still.

Every time he moves, put him back. After ten minutes, use the release word "Ok" to let him know the exercise is over. Practice the thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit” three times each, on alternate days during the training week.

On week three, when you practice the thirty-minute “Down” and the ten-minute “Sit”, sit across the room from him. Make sure you put him back if he should move.

On week four,move about the room while he remains in position, but do not leave the room.
After you have successfully completed this four-week exercise, your dog will understand that you are in charge.