K9 Military School

The following is designed as a problem-solving tool. Some of the items will be used for the rest of the dog's life - particularly the feeding regimen, possession, and the roadwork. Other items will be done only until the dog understands his position in society.

When he graduates, release him from the items one at a time over a period of several weeks, watching for him to go back to his old ways. Many dog people and trainers suggest Military School one month in six as a preventative measure. It serves to keep the already obedience trained dog sharp and always remembering that you are still above him even though he might be alpha dog in your dog pack.

If there is any part of Military School that is liable to get you bitten while you're doing it, DON'T DO IT and GET HELP from a competent trainer! The following lessons will be a "must" for the dog who has shown dominance over human and other dog members of the household and needs to be brought down a peg or two. This is also useful for the alpha dog who is becoming overly aggressive to other dogs or animals in the family. Use some or all of the following suggestions to stem what could become major problems as dogs become adults.

If you see signs at 7 months start this training then. As they reach sexual maturity, things can get quickly out of hand. Starting out early in the training of (especially) giant breeds, will assure the owner of an easy transition into adulthood. The following is not to be used in place of formal straight obedience training ie. in a class situation.

1. Umbilical cord: This for overly dominant dogs in the family or those who are beginning to show the first signs of not thinking of their owners as above them. ie. Not staying in one place, not listening, mouthing humans and other animals. As much as possible when you are at home, keep the dog on a leash and with you. Put a 6' leash on the dog, and attach the other end of the leash to a sturdy belt around your waist. Ignore the dog and go about your business. Having to constantly watch what you do and where you go will not only bond the dog to you, but will help make you important in his eyes. He learns that you are boss and he basically goes nowhere without you.

2. Obedience x 2: Twice a day, run quickly through an obedience session using whatever the dog knows how to do - Sit, Down, Come, Stay, Heel: repeat as needed. Train for 5 minutes each session. Do not touch the dog to praise him. Do not use treats as rewards. Voice praise only. For wildly happy dogs a quick and quiet "Good boy" is enough. Louder happier praise for a quieter dog, but still he must stay where he is and no touching on your part.

3. Feeding: When food is left down for the dog to eat ad lib, the dog owns the food. Ownership is what dominance is all about, so we must take possession of the food. Feed the dog twice a day, in a confined area such as a crate. If the dog doesn't finish the food, pick it up until the next meal. If the dog is not successful at eating (doesn't eat his whole meal), give him half the amount at his next meal, until he is cleaning the bottom of the dish. A successful meal means he gets more at his next meal, until he is eating the amount that will keep him in optimum condition. The food must be high-quality and low-bulk. This is great for the poor eaters. Don't change food brands all the time. Find a good one and stick with it. Poor eaters are usually made not born.

4. Long Down-Stay: Do one 30-minute Down-Stay every day. You can watch TV but the dog must be in plain sight and you must be aware of him. He can roll over, go to sleep, and look annoyed or bored, but he cannot get up or walk away.

5. I'm-The-Mommy Down: At least once a day, just because you felt like it, tell the dog to lie down. When he does, use your voice only to tell him he did a good job, say Okay or Stay, and walk away. If he gets up do not repeat the command but "place" him where he was told to stay the first time. And again leave him. Repeat if necessary.

6. Bosshood Is In The Eye Of The Beholder: Consider life from the dog's point of view. He sleeps where he wants, he eats when he wants, he leads you around. Any wonder he gets the impression that he's the Boss?
Don't allow him to go through doors ahead of you.
Don't allow him to go up or down stairs ahead of you.
Don't allow him to lead you down hallways. Always position him so you are leading and he is following. Make him think about where you are and what you're doing. When he orders you to let him out, take charge of going outside. Build a ritual around the door.
Focus his attention on you: Do you want to go out? Go to the door? Want to go out? Sit. Down. Sit. Stay. Then
open the door and order him out: Okay, go outside! You change the situation so you are in charge of it. Keep the dog on the floor. Not on the couch, not on the chair, not halfway up the stairs surveying his domain, not in your lap, On the floor. Don't leave the dog loose in the house or yard when you're not home. Free run of the house when the Boss isn't home allows the dog to feel powerful and in charge. Don't allow the dog to sleep on your bed, or on a child's bed. Dogs recognize the bed as a throne for the Boss. Allowing them on it - especially dominant type dogs only encourages them to become more so. If he sleeps away from you, however, he will think that you own the bedroom, but he owns the rest of the house. The dog can sleep in your bedroom. but on his own bed. Crate young dogs or until they are trustworthy.

7. Work Off Energy: Roadwork the dog 4 days a week. Start small, but work up to a mile for small dogs, 2 miles for medium dogs, and 3 miles for large dogs. Many problems will disappear with no more effort than road working. You can jog with the dog, or ride a bike, or longe him with a Flexilead, or use a motorized trike, or lend him to a jogger who's afraid of being mugged. (Do not road work a giant breed until 24 months old. Find alternate means of exercise - preferably off-leash romps.)

8. Busy Hands Are Happy Hands: If you want to pet the dog, he must first do pushups: Sit, Down, Sit, Down, Sit, Down, Sit, Down: then you can pet him for a count of 5 only. He does not get pet because he wants to be or because he demands it, only because you want to and he earns it. Then you pet him for only a moment, and turn away with him wanting more.

9. Become the perfect housekeeper: Leave nothing around that isn't on display. The only things lying around can be the dog toys which he is allowed to play with. Keep them in a basket where he can find them. Always in the same place. Do not give him toys which look like other things in the home. ie. old socks or shoes. He cannot tell the difference. Chewers usually get that way because they have been brought up in homes where there is lots of interesting stuff to investigate lying around the floor.

10. You're the Boss Rules: Give the dog only one toy. If he wants to chase the toy, bring it to you and let you have it, throw it again. If he won't chase it, or won't give it to you, turn your back and walk away. He has two choices, he can play with you and the toy, or he can play with the toy alone.

11. Do not allow youngsters or adult humans to wrestle with your dog. It places you, in the dogs mind, as a sibling which also tells him he is on the same level as you. Wrong. Indulging in such play does not tell the dog who is boss and with a very alpha type dog, this can get dangerous as he reaches maturity.

12. Eliminate Hormones: Have problem dogs neutered. It is a fact that most dog bites are made by whole, mature adult, dogs. Many problems will solve themselves with no more effort than this. Not only will the dog be healthier and easier to live with, but your life will be made simpler, and you eliminate the possibility of your problem dog producing more problem dogs.

(author unknown)