Reply #15: He is entering into his doggy teenage [View All]

period so going to forget lots of stuff for a while. Training, training and more training with lots of reinforcement is the best thing you can do. When ever he is going to go out make him do a down-stay. Open the door and you walk out while telling him wait. Reward him when he stays and is calm. You might have to start off with very short waits but slowly increase the length of time. If there is going to be times when a lot of people are going in and out put a leash on him in the house and keep him near you. You don't have to hold the leash the whole time but if he heads for the door it is much easier to step on/catch the leash than the dog. The sudden stop after you get a hold of the leash will be correction enough though say no or whatever correction word you use when you catch it. Take him back to where you were and do a down-stay. When he is calm give him a treat. ALWAYS make him do a down stay before taking him outside. Always go out the door before he is allowed to go out of the door. If he has to go potty even better since his reward is to get out there and go.

It also helps to teach him to look at you when he is being trained. Mine have to watch my eyes when training. I start by giving them their command, then telling them to look at me. It gets them to focus their attention on you and ignore distractions.

Good luck and remember the doggy teenage phase is short but doggy adult phase is very long and rewarding. Extra work now will get you both through this phase and give you both a more rewarding life together after it is over.