- Always use a cage when you are not at home or cannot supervise your puppy.
- Always have a correction collar and leash on your dog when you can supervise him.
- Never carry your puppy. This will make jumping extremely hard to break.
- Keep him off of all furniture (only the leaders of the pack are allowed up).
- Never allow him to sleep in your bedroom (he is not your equal and shouldn’t sleep with you).
- Always feed after the family has eaten (the leader of the pack always eats first).
- Never initiate affection or petting unless you are giving a command first (i.e. sit for a pat on the head), make him work for your praise
- Always initiate play time -don’t allow your dog to demand playtime by bringing you a toy.
- Do not pet or praise him too much unless you are training. Ignore them the other times so he understands your life doesn’t surround around him and training is something good.
- Only allow play outside. Teach him to be calm in the house so when people are visiting he will not get too excited.
- The Down/stay is a calming exercise and will teach him to be calm.Always do a Down/stay when you eating, watching TV or reading the paper.
- Each command must be followed up with a correction if your dog doesn‟t respond to it. Don‟t let him think he is going to get away with double commands.
- Use normal conversation tone when commanding; his mother‟s growl is low and guttural.
- Don‟t push him into situations he finds fearful. Let him get used to things on his own but don‟t make a big deal of it. If he is frightened of stairs take it one step at a time.
- Don‟t sympathize or try to reassure him. He may take your good intentions as praise.
- Don‟t console him for fear or pain. His mother wouldn‟t, ignore it and he will understand that it is not a big deal.
- Don‟t allow him to get away with aggression with anyone or anything (i.e. other dogs, people) The “Alpha”protects the pack and its territory. Another dog in the pack that does so is challenging the“Alpha”for that leadership position. Don‟t allow your dog to think he is “Alpha”and that it is his job. If you give your dog a command he will believe you are taking control of the situation and he doesn‟t have to. If your dog has confidence in your ability as “Alpha”he will always obey your commands because doing so shows respect to the “Alpha”.
- Treat him like a dog. Many behavioral problems are caused by environment (not genetics). If you treat him like a human he will not understand his place in your household and will cause behavioral problems like fear biting, aggression, destruction, separation anxiety,etc. Treat him like another dog or his mother would.
- Give him plenty of exercise. Exercise and mental stimulation(training) make a happy and healthy dog.
- Train daily and once your dog is responding well go to different areas with different distractions and train.
- Constant petting or cooing will make your dog needy. Let him be and he will let your visitors be. Remember that his mother wouldn‟t be constantly kissing him.
- If you don‟t like something, end it. Don‟t allow it to continue and make sure your correction is strong enough to deter the behavior from happening again. His mother would give one growl and then she would bite. Make a lasting impression with your correction.
- Do not coddle your dog. If you gave a command make him respond even if he is acting fearful