If you are looking for the greatest gold-mine of easy to use "change your dog's behavior" advice ever crammed into a newsletter series then read on!
Also, make sure that you check out our 100% authentic testimonials from people who have bought Secrets to Dog Training and find out the massive difference it has made to their owner-dog relationship!
"Hello, We had adopted a 2 and a half year old collie from a breeder in Canada. We were told she was a show dog and was very obedient, but found that she was a little lax in some commands. You helped us in teaching her many commands and be more comfortable with her. Thank you!"
-- Maureen and Jeff S. and Karma
Dear Mr. Stevens,
I ordered your book last night. Anyway, my problem, or one of them, is, when my dog wants to come in, and I don't want him to because my toddler is eating (she will throw her food to him), he will scratch the dickens out of my screen door. He then runs into the garage, grabs a shoe, and destroys it, bringing it back to the screen so I will let him in.
I would like him to be able to wait for me to let him in. He is not especially well trained, just basic house training, and comes when he feels like it, because I have made some of the typical mistakes about disciplining him.
I have five children, so the dog is ALWAYS ready to play, and very distracted. He has the "come when he feels like it" mentality. He also will take things inside and chew, but even though I trained him to retrieve and drop, if I have a treat, he won't give it up.
Thanks,
Adele Hennessy.
Hi Adele,
Thanks for your email.
It seems as though your dog has little for your authority - he obviously thinks he is higher in the pack, so doesn’t bother following your commands!
The first thing I would suggest is that you read the use the techniques in the bonus book "Secrets to becoming the Alpha Dog". It is important that you learn how to reinforce your position as Top Dog! If your dog recognizes that you are the boss, he is more likely to respond to your commands every time!
I realize that you must be very busy with such a large family, but I also recommend that you practice obedience training with your dog every day, even if just for 10 mins. If he is easily distracted, use a reward based system, and ask that your children stay away while the lesson takes place, at least in the initial stages. Then once he is responding well, have them join in so that he learns to follow commands from all family members.
Try to teach your toddler and the rest of your family not to throw your dog treats from the table. If he learns that he is not going to get any food, he is less likely to scratch at the door. I also recommend either totally ignoring him when he is scratching to get in, or reprimanding him by squirting him with cold water, and growling. He has obviously learned that if he scratches, or chews something, you will let him in. Only ever let him in when he is calm. Ask him to sit and stay for 5 seconds before letting him in.
He obviously has a lot of energy, so if possible, please exercise him every day. If you do not have time to take him for a walk, perhaps you could ask your oldest child to play a game of fetch or frisbee with him. This will get his heart rate up, and hopefully burn some of his excess energy!
I hope this helps Adele. Good luck, and please let me know how you progress.
Kind regards,
Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
I've been a professional dog trainer for well over 20 years, and in that time I've helped thousands of dog owners just like you to get the friendly, well behaved, slipper fetching, best pal they always wanted.
But it didn't start out that way. I've always loved dogs, some things never change. But when I first started my professional dog training career I relied on the so-called 'best practices' when it came to dog behavior training. It was only when I heard people tell me over and over again that they just weren't seeing results that I started to question the old accepted wisdom. So I started a journey, a quest to search out the best, most effective, techniques, tips, and tricks that really work.
And that's how I came up with Secrets to Dog Training. Year after year I found new techniques that achieved the results I wanted. Eventually I had a whole book worth of great resources: Secrets to Dog training...
So, if you want to:
Then Secrets to Dog Training is just what you've been looking for!
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