I said don't know. I believe you should make it clear to the animal in question WHO is boss, but I don't think it is necessary to do all the things listed. With all the dogs I've encountered once they knew who the boss was, they remained that way and never crossed the line. I know a very sweet little shih-zu who will wait for me to go down the steps before he does, if you say he can go he will but that is only unless you say so. I thought that was really cute.