Overthinking it is VERY POSSIBLE with me. It's a personality trait that I'm aware of. I've watched a myriad of free videos and a handful of paid ones. It seems like everything is connected and can have a consequence later. I've learned that teaching NO (along with an adversive) for biting can ruin bite/prey drive later. Also, using NO (along with an adversive) can cause anxiety in the dog and hurt training in the long run. I'm also seeing in places that allowing the dog to sleep in the bedroom can lead to aggression and dominance later. Those are just a few examples but I am trying to grasp a long term picture so that I can navigate around many of these things. For the most part, in practice, I'm mostly focused on establishing a line of communication and a few training fundamentals like SIT and GET IN THE CRATE,,,GOOD POTTY. It's the simple things for now. That, and just having the little guy next to me a lot.

I think the overthinking part comes from the face that the LB method is a highly refined training method compared to some other sources of training material I looked at. I think that teaching the NO the way Michael Ellis explains (a negative punishment that becomes an adversive through association) is one of the most compelling reasons for using the LB method. I've taught many dogs NO in my lifetime and I can ALWAYS make them listen. I'm from the old school of collar pops and harsh tones. Bossin' the food bowl around. But, I want to do it this way this time because I think it will be much less stressful on the dog in the long run and I'll be able to take him more places to do more things (I'll get to have him with me. He will get his pack...all the time.). I think it deserves some extra thought and planning. It's very important to me that I do it right with this dog so that he not only behaves but is happy doing it.

Marker training is all about being happy.

As to "Bossin the food bowl" many will say just leave the dog alone.

I have no real issue with that but I have taught my 3 kids and now my 5 grand kids how to feed the pup/dog with no issues. I feel its a necessity for my household.

The kids/grandkids would put a handful of food in the bowl UNDER STRICT SUPERVISION.

When the dog finishes that then another handful goes in by hand.

This is repeated until the meal is done.

The pup/dog will learn that a hand coming to the bowl is a good thing.

All of the dogs I've owned will start wagging their tail when one of the kids, now grand kids walk by them BUT they also respect the dog right to be left alone while eating.

I can absolutely walk up and take anything from them, including a raw meaty bone but if there is no need they are left alone.

I DO NOT allow the kids to do this but I would not have any fear of doing it.

I WOULD NOT do this with a pup or dog that has any food guarding until I have worked it solid on my own.

I have to say one thing

I will admit to being a control freak with my dogs since I was a kid but marker training in the past 12-13 yrs has made this almost un necessary for the most part but corrections are still in the tool box when/if needed.

Every bit of that makes so much sense to me.

I truly wish I'd been aware of marker training and operant conditioning 20 years ago. I had a pekingese dachshund mix that I trained to walk right beside me with collar pops. He would never have the guts to tell me he needed to go potty while I walked him because he was so afraid of that pop if he stepped out of line. He'd just go while we walked and I knew I'd gone wrong someplace but didn't understand how, or how to fix it. Poor guy. That's terrible.

I love the handfuls of food idea. My kids and wife will eat that up! I can't imagine a more re-assuring gesture that his family could make than to feed him like that.

If I dwelled on all the dogs I've owned in the past 70 yrs about "what if" when it comes to marker training I'd go crazy.

Look at it as a new beginning..........although I do think about a few of them myself.