[Tophersmom]

We started Topher in obedience classes this week. He was beginning to show clues that he thought he was the leader of the pack and we know we have to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hand.

One of THE key important things they taught us is that if we want to be seen as the pack leader by the dog, we have to control the food. We were told to never ever leave the food out at all times but to put the food down for twenty minute increments a few times a day. After a while, the dog will learn to eat when the food is out. It's crucial that you control when he eats.

Also we learned that unless we were certain of the response we were going to get from a command we give the dog...don't give the command. ie: when you call the dog over and over and he doesn't come but ignores you.
Until that dog is trained to come when called, don't give the command. It only reinforces his power as alpha dog.

In class we are being taught how to make Topher heel, come when called, sit, stay, extended stay and a few other things.

We just started, but so far it's going well. We are working with him every day on his training as we want this to be successful. It's going to be for his benefit as well as ours as he's going to be a happier dog in the long run when he understands what we expect from him. He's enjoying the training as it's total one on one time with mom and dad and he seems to be catching on. It's going to be alot of work as he's a stubborn terrier, but we're seeing results already, so it is working.