Here is my question (and dilemma)... Should I take him to my in-laws with two untrained dogs? Where she may let him out for about 30 minutes or so a day for washroom breaks, and a little play time (if constant nipping, snarling & biting is considered play, this hasn't stopped for past month). Then back into crate or I should I leave him at home in crate until I get home, and do some bonding, quality playing, along with training and avoid throwing up?

I know you will have a short answer. I just wanted to make sure you were made aware of circumstances, to better judge me. I've followed EVERYTHING you say to do (ok, except couch bit-- that is my wife's little bonding moment with him.) Again many, many thanks from Martinez family, from Canada eh. For those people questioning if they should buy book.... There is no need to question... Just buy book...!!!! I live in east coast and spent best darn $90 Canadian for these books and tapes... It's more than worth it...

Thank you for your patience... and God bless you, your family and team.

-- Tanx.

Dear Tanx:

Thanks for kind words.

I may be off mark here, but I think that question you're really asking is, "Will my mother-in-law's 'too-easy' house rules undo my dog's training?"

And answer is: No, you have nothing to worry about.

However, your dog may start doing things that he NEVER DOES at home. But it's just like a child who goes to Grandma's house and gets away with all kinds of rotten behavior... because she can! But upon returning home, she's smart enough to know that YOUR house rules apply.

But often times, upon coming home, dog will try to test you to figure out if lax rules at Grandma's house are now same at home. And as long as you're consistent and motivational, it should only take correcting dog for any unwanted behavior ONCE and dog will immediately remember that old house rules IN YOUR HOUSE are to be respected.

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

[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!