[Adam replies: ] Not worth it. Feed dog a high quality dog food and your dog will be fine.

7. What order should I teach dog commands?(first sit, then down then come?? How should I do it?)

[Adam replies: ] I like to teach “Walk on a loose leash” exercise first, followed by curb/street/boundary training, as this teaches dog what a correction is (if he doesn’t know already). Then you can teach exercises in any order you wish. To be honest, order of basic exercises is largely irrelevant. It DOES become relevant in later training, when you begin chaining behaviors together, such as “Go to fridge, open door, retrieve beer, then close door.”

8. To teach dog to not run out of house, when I slam door I'm afraid it is going slam on him too hard and hurt him. How do I go about doing it? Do I shut it softly or will he be fast enough to stop?

[Adam replies: ] You’re thinking too much. Just slam door shut. Assuming it’s not a toy breed, it’s not going to kill him. If it is a toy breed, keep your hand on door and guide it shut. The idea is that door slams on dog… not to injure dog, but to be uncomfortable so that he waits and watches you for “release“ command before walking through. You are alpha dog. You walk through first. It is your job to make sure it‘s safe for him to leave property, and he needs to look to you for “It‘s Okay“ cue. If you don’t give “A-okay” cue… then bad things could happen. Like door suddenly slamming shut. Ever sit on a dirty chair and ruin a clean pair of slacks? Once it happens to you, you’ll always check first. It’s same concept with dog.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): http://tinyurl.com/4efaq Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!

Thanks for question.

There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be viewed as Omega dog (the most submissive one) by both dogs.

However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other.

This is a topic I've written about in past issues of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your benefit:

A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found answer. 'We determine who will be alpha dog.' Correct? "

My reply:

"No, no no!

You cannot do this! It's impossible!!!

The dogs' temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine if you're dominant to other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you cannot work it out for them.

You can control dogs' behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you:

-are alpha dog in pack. and you have voice control.

But as soon as you leave dogs together-- unsupervised-- and go out for dinner... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be dominant one.

Think of taking a group of four kids.

Kid#1 will grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral. Kid#2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney. Kid#3 will grow up to be a middle management executive for a large firm. Kid#4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist.

Now, when you leave house every day for work, you may say, "Kid#4... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid#4 may get privileges of being "so-called" top dog.

But as soon as you leave...

It's going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to be bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY "top dog." Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But it is toughest kid who will become group leader.

Even though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he will test kid#1... but will ultimately lose... as kid#1 is too tough.

Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2 becomes new kid#1.

In other words, "Alpha dog."

Until you get home. Then you're alpha dog, and he becomes beta dog.

Get it?

Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... it doesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds just like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing dogs in person it's impossible to tell for sure.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! http://tinyurl.com/4efaq