A well-behaved dog is a wonderful friend that can result in years of healthy joy for each of you. On the other hand, dog that jumps up, steals food, pulls on the leash, fights with other dogs, refuses to get off the couch, or worse, behaves aggressively towards people is an added stress and can be very dangerous to himself and to others. It is every dog owners responsibility to ensure that his or her canine friend is a good citizen. Real training doesn't start with basic obedience, with "sit" and "stay", but starts at home.

Leadership
Dogs are pack animals, naturally existing in a dynamic state of hierarchy. When you bring a dog into your home, it is essential that your dog clearly sees you as the 'top dog'. In doing so, your dog will listen to you when necessary, feel safe in stressful situations (and be less likely to have a possibly aggressive fear response), and will look to you for direction. By reinforcing your leadership, you can bring out the qualities that make dogs our best friends - their desire to please. Leadership does not mean yelling or being forceful with your dog. It means sending a very clear message (in doggy language) that you are the head honcho. Once you are established as the bona fide leader, obedience training is a piece of cake. Here are some tips to abide by that will help you be the leader:

1. Abide by the maxim that "Nothing in life is free". This means that your doggie should work for every bit of affection. If your dog walks up to you while you're watching TV and nuzzles your hand for a pet, it's cute, but s/he is being dominant. Ask her/him to sit, and then give him/her the love s/he craves. This isn't being mean, it is merely telling your dog that you aren't a doormat. Make your dog lie down before giving a cookie. Teach your dog little tricks (attach command words to what s/he naturally does) and lavish him/her with praise when s/he performs them. Your dog will be begging to please you!
   
   
2. Always feed your dog after you eat. In the pack, the subordinates eat last. The same rules should apply in your kitchen.
   
   
3. Teach your dog to walk behind you when going through doorways. The leader goes first.
   
   
4. If your dog is lying in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room, make him move (shuffle your feet and say "Move!" or "Outta the way!"). Don't just step over him/her.
   
   
5. Only allow your dog to lie in bed with you or to get on the sofa when asked. If your dog is very dominant, it is usually best to forbid him/her to get on any furniture. In time, you may be able to invite him/her up for some snuggles.
   
   
6. When your dog is lying on his/her bed, get down and curl up with him/her. You're the boss and can go where you please...your dog must allow you in to his/her space with no fuss whatsoever.
   
   
7. Rub and scratch your dog's tummy. When s/he is rolled over, s/he is in a submissive posture (and how pleasant it is!).
   
   
8. Don't play tug of war with your dog unless you expect to win.
   
   
9. Regularly take things from your dog's mouth, such as balls, toys, bones, etc. You can give them back, but the act of taking sends a clear message of authority.
   
   
10. A good exercise when you eat your dinner is to command your dog to go lie down in a particular area. Use a command such as "Place!". The area can be a rug, or an area defined by masking tape. If the dog steps out of the boundaries that you have set, scold her, lead her back to within the boundaries and say, "Place!". This is an excellent exercise in gaining a psychological 'one up' on your dog and can prove incredibly useful during dinner parties or when visiting other people.
    
    
11. Don't let your dog jump on you without being asked to.
    
    
12. Practice 10 minutes a day of obedience training. Work on "heel", "sit", "lie down", and "stay". Ten minutes a day doesn't seem like much, but it will make a world of difference. Once your dog has the basics and seems hungry for more, use your imagination. Work on tricks. Get him to jump over obstacles. Teach him vocabulary and see if we will discern between a ball and a stick.