davedajobauk: said "He needs an attentive and authoritative pack-leader
That! (destructive behaviour) is a 'no-no' here
Puppies are still-learning, adult dogs need re-training"
Do you physically discipline your dogs?
Mine usually Acts up when i'm away.
I keep them in the kitchen but sometimes they escape.
He's smart which is good and bad!
No, I have no need to resort to physical-discipline
I bred and raised German Shepherds for just over 20 years
and it was nothing, for me to walk into an arguing threesome and END IT
From the word 'go' ~I dominate, the will of the dog
expl' ..... I put it on a lead ....and do not allow it, to wander around, at-will
I hand feed at the dish and it will wait, between offerings
and I will take away the dish, if it eats, faster than it can swallow
When playing with the dog, I NEVER let it 'win'
When I say "STOP", it looks at me ~and waits to hear what comes next
When the dog argues 'who, is in control' it loses!!! (ALWAYS)
^^Once 'control' has been established, you only have to 'watch points'
eg: during visits from others outside, to be able to predict and pre-empt any possible naughtiness
"a stitch in time saves nine"
My very first 'action'...
#1. Is, to raise my voice OVER any noise the dogs are making
ie: For them,_ _ _ DAD IS SPEAKING ... "STOP!!!!"
I then have the dog's attention
if I realise I do not have total obedience, I go for the biggest risk
to anyone, including the dog itself and hold the dog
if there is any unwillingness, to be seen /heard, in that dog
I will pin the dog to the floor, by it's neck and, hold it there
while keeping it's attention on me (with calm conversation)
until the dog is breathing calmly (not even simmering)
and, it has not reached 'the boil' (ie: is not listening)
I, am the 'pack-leader' and, what I say goes
I will not be disobeyed
or, countermanded ( "are you listening to me dog ?" )
The above, is circumvented ~with premonition,
in other words,
if it can happen, I will nip it in the bud
BEFORE, that dog has even finished thinking about it (?)
Once the dog has it's fuse lit.... it can go off, at any moment
Far better, it learns that YOU, have a bigger bang
and must be respected....
PS: Love makes all of the difference, but, you do not reward bad behaviour with bad behaviour
It NEVER WORKS