It is never to early or late to start deference training with your
dog. A growl is a threat and should NEVER be tolerated. We are not talking about play growling here. Any growl of the dominant or possessive kind should be corrected, whether it is directed at you or your children. Your children are an extension of you and should be treated with respect. They are pack leaders in training and should be taught how to command this respect as soon as they are capable. If the pup is growling over a toy, food, possession, teach him that he will get more of what he wants if he does not possess things.
During play, NEVER allow the puppy to become out of control. YOU control the level of excitement. YOU initiate and end the playtime. YOU give and take back the toy. YOU control the situation. Alwys interrupt play at intervals by calling him to you for a treat or praise, to keep the level from escalating.
NEVER allow the dog to RUSH the door. This will become a huge problem with an adult dog. He must learn to greet visitors and family alike with deference and a polite greeting. User your voice, tone and body language and a leash if needed. Teach him an alternate behavior that will allow visitors to greet him.
Communicate to him that the bed belongs to you by not allowing him to sleep in it. He can come up for cuddling when invited, but must leave when instructed (off). Have him sleep in his bed on the FLOOR (in your room).
Make sure you socialize him with other dogs and people. Teach him to greet other dogs politely. No out of control greetings, no rushing other dogs will be tolerated. Teach him that good things go away with out of control behavior. That kind of behavior can cause a dogfight, especially on leash.
Always remember the importance of the CONTROLLED walk to create balance. This must be done daily.
When you go for outings in the car, keep him out of the front seat, off your lap, and keep the window ¾ up for safety. Ideally, he should be crated or harnessed in a seat belt of his own.
You can confuse a dog with too much affection. He must GIVE to GET. Have him sit, for instance, before getting stroked, getting a treat, or getting his food. Nothing is for free! Praise for good and appropriate behavior.
Overprotection can cause neurosis. If something frightens him, calmly say Shhh, offer a firm stroke, and move on. DO not dwell on it; do not change the pitch of your voice to a high level and start cooing. He will remember this reaction and look for it the next time. He will never get over the fear. REWARD CALM, STABLE, ENERGY ONLY.
When company comes, do not put him on your lap. 4 PAWS ON THE FLOOR! On your lap he will become protective, jealous, and fearful. This may cause him to bite.
Teach him to LEAVE IT or DROP IT. Do not take things out of his mouth. Teach him to voluntarily drop it. Do not chase him. It will become a game. He must learn to drop it at your feet when told.
Always remember, your dog looks to you for leadership and guidance. It is your very important job to give that to him along with your time and love. Our goal is to create independent, polite, loving, deferential animals, who know and accept their place. This will relax them and prevent neurotic behaviors. We want every dog to live a balanced happy life in their homes for the duration of those lives and to never be rehomed because of bad behavior and to NEVER see the inside of a shelter. We want to create CONFIDENT CANINES!
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