Firstly, the bad news

But here's the good news

I've got my 10 simple rules listed below. All of my puppy people are now given this rule sheet and coached through the rules. Regardless of your breed of dog, or where you got it from, following these simple rules below will help you sort out your dog. These rules provide clear indication to the dog/s that you are the pack manager, and this is the way your pack operates.

When your dog understands that they do not rule your house and its people, they will settle, become less anxious, and lose a lot more undesirable behaviours resulting in significantly less barking, much less jumping up, and other neurotic behaviour.

Before you start any groovy training mechanism such as clicker training (which I completely recommend), you need to get the basics right first. If you neglect to implement these basics, when you come back to me later with your problem puppy/dog, we will firstly work at getting these rules right first. Neglecting these rules will result in problem behaviour for your dog, and big issues for you. I can guarantee this.

For those of you new to the dog world, or if it's been some time since you've had a dog, can I give the following straightforward advice:

Jane's 10 simple rules

1. When you come home from work, totally ignore your dog for the first 5-10 minutes. Do not look at the dog. Do not blow kisses to the dog. Do not talk to the dog. Let me know if you need me to clarify this.

2. Do not make any big deal of comings or goings from your property

3. Always eat first, and feed the dogs after you have eaten. Do not feed your dog from the table.

4. You must, must, must go to basic obedience and socialisation classes. These must be based on positive reward only.

5. Do not let your dog on your bed or on your couch. There is nothing wrong with restricting your dog from certain rooms in the house.

6. For 10 minute sessions at a time, put your dog in a crate and ignore them, or tie their leash to a post or similar for 10 minutes and ignore them. Do this at least 3 times weekly for the first 12 weeks, and then every so often. Do not look at the dog. Do not blow kisses to the dog. Do not talk to the dog. Let me know if you need me to clarify this.

7. Exercise your dog every single day. They must have more than walking. Teaching them to retrieve is the absolute first "trick" you must teach. Then they can do lots of running, which they need to get every day.

8. Absolutely the dog is part of your family, but everyone else in your family must be higher in the pecking order than them (yes, even your partner must be higher than them!)

9. Do NOT carry your puppy or dog around.

10. Ensure all guests and family members follow all the rules as listed above.

Now tick these off and let me know which ones you CAN'T or are NOT prepared to do, and we'll problem solve those together.

If anyone wants an example of badly behaved dogs, when you next visit me, I'll take you to my friend's place to show you what not to do.

Look, I don't have it 100% right all the time either. But we're getting there, and together we can learn. Let's work together to get well behaved dogs.

Importantly, you are the pack manager. Do not shirk this responsibility. If you don't take on this responsibility, your dog will, and then you will have the consequences of effectively what can only be referred to as "neglect". It is never too late to implement these techniques. Remember, you dog is part of a general society. Badly behaved dogs reflect badly on you, the dogs, and the breed in general. Too many breeds have bad reputations only because of their incompetent handling.

This also means if you are a breeder, of any breed, you have an inherent responsibility to ensure your puppy people know how to get appropriate dog behaviour.

How Do I Find the Time?

You're probably going to say, "well I don't have the time to do this". Ok, I work full time, am a single mother, manage a whole household with dogs, cats, ferrets, chickens, and ducks. I also show my dogs. I'm also currently studying for my phd. When I have a few spare minutes, I help people learn how to feed their dogs an appropriate diet, and mentor my puppy people. So if I have time to do it, why can't you?

Tip: Give up watching tv and the playstation, and you'll have a lot more time.

Success Stories

Steve forwarded me your 10 points which I have read with interest. Following when I collected Tinker and you very clearly demonstrated the first principle to me I have been applying it and I notice, as you said, that Tinker calms down farely quickly.

She is settled on the couch now and asleep; not hanging around my chair, nudging my elbow all the time!

I make a point of ignoring her until she settles down, even when she jumps on me in her excitement at my arrival home. I ignore every attempt she makes to lick my hand which she is now doing less. Although she is sleeping in my room and at least for the time being this will need to continue, I do not let her on my bed anymore and I now shut her out of the front part of the house when I leave for work. It is hard to avoid eye contact at times but I am doing this as best I can. But I am really not sure what the next step is, how to behave with her in a loving and caring way without undoing the good work. I do not want to be "owned" by my dog but I do want to have her as a real companion animal.

...Now this particular fellow has one of my dogs, who he acquired as an adult, ex-show dog. His email was received two days after starting to implement the 10 rules. Once he gets good behaviour from Tinker, he can relax in his approach. However, there may be times where Tinker over-steps her boundaries and again, he will need to go back to the basics for a short time (perhaps a day or two only).

Hi Jane, I have to stop sending you e-mails, but I have to tell you how amazing these books are that you recommended. I wish I had had them so many months ago. I had another great day with Spot today. I had my breakfast today & finally put the radio on so I couldn't hear Spot's complaining. Later in the day when I came home from tennis, Spot kept on barking while I was talking to my husband. I put her on a leash over the doorknob & she finally settled now & we were able to talk. After I released her, she came over & gave me great kisses. Spot on leash, we can a glass of wine before dinner & I read a section to my husband. Spot is always pushing her toys on us, even though we have played with her. While making dinner, Spot starting pushing her toys at me & rather saying, "enough", I ignored her & she finally played alone. I have had a great evening with Spot, lying beside me while I continue to read from Jan Fennell's books. Wow!!!!!! I am sorry that we are going away next week, because I really want to work more with Spot. Before I talked to you & starting reading these books, I was very depressed & disappointed about Spot & I knew although I couldn't give her up, I had be thinking about it. Guilt I couldn't do it, but Spot was wrecking our lives. I now feel so positive. Tonight I called Spot , she ran up from our rec. room, sat & stayed - we have worked hard on this, but quite often it was hit & miss. Things are so much different now. Thanks again & have a great night,

This email was received from another person with a pwd, although this dog "Spot" is not a dog I bred. The author is referring to the books of Jan Fennell. See the link below for more info on her books. The woman who sent the email above, saw an improvement in her dog's behaviour on the very day she started using the techniques. She had been ready to send the dog back to her breeder. She had reached the end of her tether. It is just wonderful to see how easily she has now been able to adjust Spot's behaviour.

Books to Read

More Questions?