Another great, wonderful thing I learned from listening to Cesar Millan work with his clients on the TV show, "The Dog Whisperer" is to be sure, as pack leader, that you walk through the door first, and even down the stairs first.
I used to insist that my dogs go down the stairs before me, so as not to knock me down the stairs in their haste to get to where we were going. I would also insist that they walk out the door ahead of me, so that I could close the door behind me, etc. But what this would produce was a frenetic excitement, and me running down the stairs or out the door being pulled by two 85-pound hounds!
Once I started making the dogs wait at the door, or at the top of the stairs, and putting myself first, what a difference! Instant respect. It only took a few times of practicing this before they realized I am the pack leader, and I go first.
Me first! I always say now.
All original material copyright © Kathleen S. Mueller. All rights reserved.