I am hoping that I won't be doing many corrections at all for quite some time. But I do need him to know the cat is off limits. Although, I am noticing the further we get into this pack structure thing, the less he is interested in the cat, so it may turn into a non issue, or at least not much of one.

And, Peter, it is interesting what you said about the peke, because I was thinking about it this afternoon and I had decided I am just going to work on obedience with him on just a couple of really annoying things. He mostly sleeps, has barked only a few times in the 8 years we have owned him, so he is pretty good. All our friends ask to dogsit so I guess we must have done something right.

I have also noticed when I take Hank out for potty breaks, when he does start to play, I give him a light pop with the flat collar and he backs off right away, so I think it isn't going to take much to get him turned around. And he is young. Once we get the obedience going, I really do think he will turn into a great dog. I am really looking forward to the day when we can play and both of us enjoy it.

Again, I appreciate all the feedback and great advice. You guys have been great!

good job Ria, I am just confused on the giving the dog a light pop when it starts to play, I am confused because play is about the best tool I know of to get compliance and to assert your dominance over the dog.

exploiting the dog's wants to play is the only way I can think of how to train a dog...to do anything at all really????

Sorry, by play, I meant inappropriately, ie. jump on me or nip me. I have no problem with play if he stays down and doesn't get mouthy. He just doesn't seem to know any other way right now. So, when he is just jumping around and doing play bows I am good with it, but so far he almost immediately goes into jumping on me and using his mouth on my clothes, or me. Hoping he will start to figure out the difference as we go along.

IMHO, some short retrieves would help with the enrgy bursts, while redirecting him away from wanting to play tussle.

The play bows and nips are begging for engagement, but you are not ready to physically play with him, so you offset his "requests" with a toss, effectively redirecting his attention away from you to the object. It can be short tosses onleash or on a line, to start if you think he may be reluctant to bring the item back. You kill two birds with one stone (outlet for capped energy, and letting him play without the roughhousing).

Again, JMHO.

The retrieve isn't a bad idea but without a good out it can be a pain with a pushy dog.

Possibly get the out wit marker training of learn to play two ball....which I'm not terrible fond of because it can make the retrieve to had a bit harder down the line.

Of course the retrieve to hand may not be important to the OP.

You guys are way out ahead of me. For the moment, my game plan is, prong collar on walks with no corrections, just as a self correcting tool. Unless something huge comes up, like aggression toward another dog or person. But I honestly have not seen that in him ever. Also going to start spending more time outside the kennel but tethered to me. We tried that last night and he seems to be ready for it.

So, one question about that: prong collar or dd collar best for that situation? The big issues I foresee there are jumping on furniture, putting his paws on the windowsill to look outside and pouncing the cat. For the furniture and window, I think "no" and pulling him back will be enough. For the cat, most times that will work, but sometimes he goes into overdrive and something stronger may be needed. Ideas, anyone?

I am trying not to think too far into the future, just stick with a couple of basics and build on those as we go. I am also seriously considering the online course for basic obedience. Anyone done that, would you recommend over just purchasing the video?

One more thing to address: I know several have mentioned my inexperience. My thought on this is, how will I get experience if I don't do this? I do not sense any aggression whatsoever in this dog, although I may have used that word. As I spend more time learning, I see more and more, he is spoiled and untrained and strong willed, but does not have a mean bone in his body. I have no fear of him anymore, now that I realize the why behind his behaviors and have armed myself with some knowledge and tools. But if I ever sense that there is something beyond my scope, I will immediately get professional help. Hope that reassures you guys.

 Quote: Ria Neubauer

You guys are way out ahead of me. For the moment, my game plan is, prong collar on walks with no corrections, just as a self correcting tool. Unless something huge comes up, like aggression toward another dog or person. But I honestly have not seen that in him ever. Also going to start spending more time outside the kennel but tethered to me. We tried that last night and he seems to be ready for it.

So, one question about that: prong collar or dd collar best for that situation? The big issues I foresee there are jumping on furniture, putting his paws on the windowsill to look outside and pouncing the cat. For the furniture and window, I think "no" and pulling him back will be enough. For the cat, most times that will work, but sometimes he goes into overdrive and something stronger may be needed. Ideas, anyone?

I am trying not to think too far into the future, just stick with a couple of basics and build on those as we go. I am also seriously considering the online course for basic obedience. Anyone done that, would you recommend over just purchasing the video?

One more thing to address: I know several have mentioned my inexperience. My thought on this is, how will I get experience if I don't do this? I do not sense any aggression whatsoever in this dog, although I may have used that word. As I spend more time learning, I see more and more, he is spoiled and untrained and strong willed, but does not have a mean bone in his body. I have no fear of him anymore, now that I realize the why behind his behaviors and have armed myself with some knowledge and tools. But if I ever sense that there is something beyond my scope, I will immediately get professional help. Hope that reassures you guys.

The above is Good news -- Stick with Ed's PACK STRUCTURE Groundwork ... Then move forward with LOTS of EXERCISE and Basic Obedience training lessons, IMHO You have made a Great start with this little dog, Ria !!!

The exercise part is going to get done, but it is not going to be fun. The next week we are supposed to have highs in the teens and wind chills of 10 to 25 below zero!!! Ugghhh! It was 60 degrees last week. I am hoping to someday teach him to use the treadmill since we live in the frozen north.

 Quote: Ria Neubauer

The exercise part is going to get done, but it is not going to be fun. The next week we are supposed to have highs in the teens and wind chills of 10 to 25 below zero!!! Ugghhh! It was 60 degrees last week. I am hoping to someday teach him to use the treadmill since we live in the frozen north.

One good thing to remember is that "mental exercise" will drain energy faster than does Physical Exercise by itself -- Obedience Lessons can be trained AND practiced Inside the House during incondusive weather ... But a treadmill is also a good addition, IMHO

"One more thing to address: I know several have mentioned my inexperience. My thought on this is, how will I get experience if I don't do this? I do not sense any aggression whatsoever in this dog, although I may have used that word. As I spend more time learning, I see more and more, he is spoiled and untrained and strong willed, but does not have a mean bone in his body. I have no fear of him anymore, now that I realize the why behind his behaviors and have armed myself with some knowledge and tools. But if I ever sense that there is something beyond my scope, I will immediately get professional help. Hope that reassures you guys."

that is a great sober and honest post, thanks.

BTW if jumping up on the window etc is the biggest problems you ever face then consider yrself very lucky.

when you are done with the pack structure program you may want to look at deflecting unwanted behaviours with a distraction/reward and getting your dog focused on you and listening to you.

you do imo need to look at some fun non-destructive activities according to your dog's needs, to ignore this aspect is only doing half the job.