So you want your dog to listen to your commands. To come when you call? To sit when you say sit? To wait when you say wait? How do you get your dog to listen to you? To command your dog’s respect? If your dog loves you, won’t he want to perform every whim of a command that you utter? Why not ply him with treats at every turn, even feed him under the table (I know some of you do this!) to make YOU the favorite? The most popular? Yes, your dog will hang out with you more than anyone, hoping for another treat to be dispensed. That makes you a) the leader or b) the treat dispenser. Correct answer b).

How can you be a good leader to your dog? The first step is to learn NILIF – Nothing in Life is Free. That means that everything that your dog values – treats, affection, going on a walk, going through the door, and more cool things that dogs live for – must be earned.

For example, does your dog dance around and jump on you when you get home? Perhaps as a puppy, that was cute. Now as an adult, not so much. But you love your dog so you reward him with affection. This reinforces the behavior even though you wish he wouldn’t do that. But you don’t want him to think you don’t like him. Now, what if you didn’t give him affection UNTIL he got all four paws on the floor, or sat in front of you. NOW you praise him! Now he learns that you control the reward, that he has to earn it. Your dog will respect you more for it, and will see you as his leader. This is a great step in building a better relationship and bond with your dog!

What does your dog get for free from you today?