Ok - let me get the theory bit out of the way - and hold on this will be another long one!!
My methods are based on the way dogs and wolves communicate with each other.
To my mind there are many kinds of wolf leaders - but for our purposes we can divide them into two groups - leaders who are weak and have to use physical means to control the pack and those that are strong and never seem to have a problem. The second type is the one I want to be and the only way to do it is to take on the language of that strong Alpha wolf.
The actual structure of a pack with a very strong leader needs to be understood too - the leader is a God - he seems to do nothing at all but when he moves then the whole pack knows what is going on. This animal needs to have a level of self confidence that domestic dogs just don't come close to - even those people that say they have a very Alpha dog do not know the half of it! This animal is one out of every 250 wolves that are born!


Our dogs still speak wolf language and don't understand human - I think it is only fair to make it as easy as we can for them to understand what we want from them and therefore to use the language they understand the best - especially when things are getting difficult.

So - I try to use the very strong Alpha leader language and have found that this has a magic affect on dogs - although it is very hard for most humans to get their heads around!!!!

Let me explain my feeding routine and if that makes sense along with what I have already said then we are talking around the same.

Feeding time at the same time every day is good. Put the dog's bowl on the counter and prepare it as normal. Put a small plate next to the dog's bowl and put a couple of grapes, a cracker, a small biscuit....anything small that you can eat......on the plate. All humans in the house must then eat a bit of what is on the plate and then put the plate in the dishwasher/sink. This must take place with no contact (eye, vocal or physical) with the dog. Now feed the dog and walk away for ten minutes before coming back and picking up the dish the dog ate from. This is the way to take control of food in a way the dog will understand because it is natural.

This is a very strong message to the dog - leaders eat first and it doesn't matter what you do.....the leaders eat first.
by sticking your hands in Oz's food bowl you are giving him very mixed signals - here is your food, it is your turn to eat - but now I'm changing my mind and think you should eat before me because I am sticking my hand in to get a bit more - now it is yours again......but now I have changed my mind and need to put my hand in again......Your dog only sees that you are in contact with the food and does not understand that you haven't taken any....By repeating this you are showing over and over that you can't be trusted with leadership as you don't follow the most basic rules ( your dog backing off from the food when your hand is in it and especially him lying down and panting are signs of stress!!!!) Your dog will be confused by you letting him have his turn to eat (as he sees it) and then you come back in and say that it really isn't his turn.....that is human s doing the rank thing - not dogs.

The ignoring of the dog is an art form.

The first time you ignore the dog properly may take two or three hours!!!!! Usually it is around an hour and half to two hours - my best advice is to pick a day and start from the moment youget up.

England did win 3 -0 and now have to play Brazil (yikes!!!!!).

The USA have got to the next round for the first time since 1930 (the very first World Cup!) after their 2-0 win against Mexico this morning. Well done you guys!