Tips for YOU to be the Boss, Not Your Pup

*Melissa & Dante & Kaiya:

Just a couple more things. YOU are in charge and need to establish dominance and now.

- if he is doing something you don't like (biting, jumping, screaming etc) - IGNORE him until he does something right (sits, feet on floor, is quiet) and then praise him big time

- if he is biting something he shouldn't take it away, and give him a toy and praise him like crazy when he starts biting on it = he will learn what is acceptable to chew and bite

- do not let him on the couch/chairs etc - height = dominance, so by having him on the floor and you taller makes him see you as the dominant one

- if he is jumping up use feet or knees to knock him down - no hands - hands = play things

- if you pick him up and you should (very dominant move) do not put him down until he is calm and no longer squirming - it may take some time, but he will catch on quick and you will be able to carry him and hold him when you need to

- puppies are looking for reactions to what they do (they learn what gets a reaction out of you and will continue to do it), so stay calm, never get angry or yell or chase, just say no and do a time out

- don't ever let him have free range in the house - you should always be in the same room with him to keep an eye on him, if you can't do that then he should be placed in his crate. if he is able to roam free he will get the idea that he can do what he wants when he wants

- time outs when he is behaving very badly and it is not just psycho puppy play time (ie. shiba 500 - you cannot stop this). You might think they don't work, but they do. Start with picking him up and saying time out and then placing in crate and IGNORE completely for 5 min minimum (longer if he's screaming or carrying on) and then let him out. If you use the phrase every time he will learn what it means and you will be able to just say it and he will calm down right away without having to put him away.
I do this with Dante and Kaiya when they get playing rough. I would say "enough" and split them apart and until they were calm and then let them play again. Now I just have to say "enough" and it's over and they play properly.

- do not ever and I mean never let these guys get away with anything - even once.

Consistency is a major factor in training these little guys - and that means everyone in the house and remember to always praise like crazy when they do something right. Even if it's you just walking back into the room and they're chewing on a toy or just is sitting there to sit there - say good boy and give him a quick pet.

These are just a few things that have helped me. Also over time you will be able remove some of these boundaries, but remember to do it slowly to see how he does. I took away a couple boundaries when Dante was 8 months, but he started acting up again so boundaries went back and a month later I started removing them again very slowly.

Warning: Dogs go through an adolescent stage around 6-8 months I believe (trust me you will know when they hit it). It will feel like you're dog has gone back in time and all your training was for nothing. But it is only a stage and staying consistent and CALM will make it a lot easier to get through.

I hope that helps and I can't stress PRAISE, CONSISTENCY and staying CALM enough.


*Bonnie & Sushi:

Dogs have to earn the right to gain more access to more rooms in the home. Sushi was only allowed in the kitchen area for a few weeks, then gradually the livingroom and entranceway. I live in a semi-detach, so it's not a big home. He wasn't allowed upstairs (completely and unsupervised) until this past year and he is now 3 yrs old. The cats "own" the upstairs area and he respects this.

Hate to tell ya...I don't think the "challenges" ever stop. They just are more patient and willing to wait to surprize you at just the right moment - at least that's the case with Sushi. He went through the "I've forgotten everything I was taught" phase at the age of 2 yrs, after having a wonderful 1 yr old for an entire year, lol. But, Melissa, you are right - consistency is KEY. Shibas are very very smart and given the opportunity, they'll take it and run with it, lol.


*Mike & Rudy:

"Be a Calm, Assertive Pack Leader" (for all the Dog Whisperer - Caesar Milan fans out there)