When you first bring a rescue dog into your home – especially an older one who may be very set in his ways – your first responsibility is to get to know your dog. This requires constant and careful observation. You must spend time getting to know your dog, learning how to read him so that you will understand which training techniques will work best with your dog.  For instance, if your dog has quickly assumed the role of “Alpha dog”, your task at hand will require immediate and influential action. However, if he is demonstrating tentativeness, he may be simply in the “role confusion” stage and only needs to see signs of leadership from you to learn where he belongs in the family hierarchy.

So job one is observing your dog’s behavior to determine what type of training will be required and in what doses. If your dog tries to “lead” you or other members of the family, he is trying to take charge. More specifically, if your dog exhibits some of the following behaviors, then you would do well to take the appropriate steps to assert yourself as Top Dog. It’s in everybody’s best interest – including your dog – that he learn from the get-go that he belongs in the lowest place in the family’s pecking order.

To determine if your dog thinks he is “leader of the pack”, look for the following behaviors:

Shows teeth, snarls, or even attempts to bite when you try to remove a toy or bone from him
Always has to be out in front – pulling on the leash, rushing out the door ahead of you
Challenges your authority, from simply ignoring your instructions to outright disobedience
Eats food on his schedule – that is whenever he feels like it – and not on your schedule
Is always trying to control his territory – like sitting in the middle of the hall – forcing all to walk over or around 
Pushes his way onto your bed despite your commands to the contrary

The recommended techniques required to establish you as “Alpha Dog” may at times seem harsh. But asserting yourself as leader will be doing your dog a huge favor. For a dog to assume the role as leader in a human environment can become very stressful for your dog. This could lead to anxiety, nervousness, constant barking or even aggression. Dogs simply want to know their place in the family pack and what is expected of them. Oftentimes, an “aggression” problem is really attributable to “role confusion”.

So, how do you go about reversing roles?  Start with these four general rules:

Rule 1 – go slowly. In fact the more aggression your dog has exhibited, the slower you should go.  You do not want this to become a challenge to your dog to compete with you, but rather a life lesson.

Rule 2 – no more “something for nothing”. Teach your dog that all the good things in life must be earned including play time, treats, walks, petting, even meals. 

Rule 3 – do not tempt bad behavior. No more dashes out the door unfettered. No leaving food on easy-to-reach counters. No more treats simply because you looked down and saw two soulful eyes beseeching you. 

Rule 4 – Make your dog totally dependent upon you. Become the provider of his every life-sustaining necessity and his every life-enhancing nicety.

Here are some tips and techniques to help you achieve role reversal with your dog:

When taking your dog outside, be sure to walk through the door BEFORE your dog
Always request and get a trick, even if just sitting, before receiving a treat or when you place his food bowl in front of him
When you dog occupies space that he shouldn’t – like the middle of a walkway or on your favorite seat or your bed – gently nudge him until he moves. If necessary, lead him to where you prefer he rest
Never give a command that you don’t intend to enforce. Don’t beg or yell.  Help him to obey if necessary, like gently pushing his rear to sit. Once he obeys, reward him with praise
Feed your dog afterthe family eats. And, give him ample time to finish, but do not allow him to “graze”. If he doesn’t eat in a determined time frame (15 to 30 minutes), remove the food
You determine play time
You determine which games to play. Avoid games of strength and resolve like tug-of-war and even rough housing. Hide and seek or fetch are more appropriate (if you play fetch, insist that he return the toy to your feet). Do not allow him to play keep away
Provide your dog with affection, but in moderate doses and preferably as positive reinforcement for good behavior
During this role reversal period, always remain on a higher level than your dog – literally. Be sure to administer praise and even petting from an elevated position. Avoid sitting down to play with your dog. When your eyes make contact, maintain your eye contact until he averts his stare. After you gain the dominant position in your home, you will be able to relax these silly techniques
Do not allow jumping up on people or furniture during this period. This is a dominating behavior. Either ignore the dog or use a command such as “off” or “no” while gently pushing the dog to the floor
Do not allow your dog to pick favorites among family members. This can be accomplished by having everyone involved in the “role reversal” training. Allowing the dog to dominate just one person will defeat your purpose
Do not hesitate to introduce crate training. It will be a safe haven where your dog can escape the stress of trying to be a leader until he learns his rightful place in the home

Be diligent, patient and persistent and your dog will eventually understand that he relies upon you to satisfy all of his needs and wants. This is a happy place to be for your dog, for you and your family. Now enjoy the wonderful benefits of dog ownership.

Have you simply gotten your first puppy and want to make sure that you start your new pet on its way to a long healthy life with your family? If you answered yes to any of these questions then Alpha Paws dog training school may be right for you.

Puppy Preschool

Puppy preschool is a one hour program that is conducted by a professional dog trainer right in your home. It is designed to help you and puppy get off to a good start and covers such things as

1. Potty training your puppy

2. positive puppy games you can play with your new pet

3. Controlling your puppies chewing and biting

4. Giving your new best friend the proper nutrition

5. Helping you to ensure that your child and puppy interact well together

6. This program touches on many other issues as well.

Basic Obedience Training

Alpha paws basic training program is a ten day program that teaches your dog all the basic obedience commands and signals and that these commands must be obeyed. In addition, there are 5 follow up lessons with family members to help them integrate the use of the commands in the home with all family members.

Off The Leash Program

Alpha Paws also offers a 10 day off the leash program that will have your dog working in your home and enclosed yard without a leash despite any distractions that come along. He will increase his knowledge of both verbal commands and hand signals as well.

Behavior Problems

Alpha paws dog training also offers you help with a wide range of behavior problems your dog may be having including:

1. Destructive behaviors such as digging biting during play and various kinds of aggression

2. Chasing cars, animals, birds and other moving objects

3. excessive barking

4. housebreaking issues

There is even a free assessment that you can fill out online to help Alpha Paws determine what type of behavior training your pet needs.

Alpha Paws is a great program that provides training both for you and your pet and helps to strengthen the bond between you and your beloved pet. However, unless you live in Newmarket, Ontario or the surrounding area you won’t be easily able to enroll in training programs. However, there is no need to despair as the founder of Alpha Paws, Peter Brown offers a DVD of his training program to those who live too far away to take advantage of the live program.

Whether you enroll in the program or purchase the training DVD you can rest assured that the tips you receive will help you to have more confidence in your relationship with your dog and make you a better, more confident owner and your pet a better behaved dog.

At Alpha Paws we have a training solution that’s right for you! All of our programs consist of private individual sessions with a professional dog trainer. We believe that the best results are achieved through focused, one-on-one sessions with you and your dog.

Visit Petflow today and set up automatic pet food delivery: http://www.petflow.com/ZakGeorge Enter code Zak20 to receive 20% off of your first order. Make a small monthly contribution to support our videos at http://www.patreon.com/ZakGeorge Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheZakGeorge Playlist: How to teach your dog the BASICS IN ORDER: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMssKIjsDxXmMGypWsr8u-yGOUSoPoozb How to teach your dog to STOP JUMPING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzUiQIQQLzI How to Stop UNWANTED BARKING: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0A9SpCdRZg How to teach your dog FETCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-uUQE32FuU How to Introduce your NEW DOG to your CURRENT pets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-uUQE32FuU