A "PRIME DIRECTIVE" ABOUT DOG TRAINING:

To effectively train a dog, and to avoid many neurotic style behavior problems, the dog requires consistency. This means not only from his principle caretaker, but from everyone in his immediate life. Make certain that the entire family is on the same page. For example you might trying to stop some objectionable behavior (such as climbing on the furniture), other family are not encouraging this objectionable behaviour. Dogs require consistency from ALL pack members and it is all too easy for other family members to reward the behaviour you do not want.

There are two approaches to resolving this conflict amongst the leaders of the pack. The first is the UN model to negotiate a whole range of behaviours that are desirable and those that are not. This however usually does not work since the agreements break down too readily.

The alternative requires much more work and some family compromises. It involves teaching the dog that different behaviours are appropriate with specific people in specific places and not appropriate with different people and in different places. This often means that behavior must be invited. For example, Mom does not want Lassie on the sofa, but Dad does. So the rule is that Lassie can only get on the sofa if she is specifically invited (as with a command like Lazy time). She also must learn to get off the sofa on command (such as Off). Dad can invite Lassie on the sofa when Mom is not around, but if Mom appears in the room he must immediately give the Off command. Mom must agree not to abuse Dad if he follows the rules, and Dad must comply as well. After a while you will see Lassie starting to jump off of the sofa the moment that Mom appears in the room.