When Can I Stop Doing the 5 Golden Rules (aka Dog Calming Code) With My Dog?

Um, Never! Yes, never! As long as your dog, meaning any dog who lives with you now or in the future, you should continue the Dog Calming Code. Once the rules are relaxed, the dog realizes (yes, they can think independently & have problem solving skills) the this, they inherently know that you, the one who once was the Alpha, is no longer competent to be the “Ruler” or “Alpha”, if you will; and the dog will begin their ascent to the “Alpha Throne!” This is where you begin to notice behaviors that the dog may have once exhibited but haven’t done since the rules are put into place. Like a child, the dog will “tempt” the rule maker to see how much he/she can get away with. Once the dog perceives the Owner is no longer acting as “Alpha,” the takeover begins. Yep, it is just that simple. You will begin to see aggression, less recall, hiding food, toys or bones, urinating in the home, destruction of property, separation anxiety, attention seeking with invading your space & so on. At this point, you must immediately reinstate the Dog Calming Code in order to dethrone the dog. Once your dogis dethroned, you must continue the rules for every dog you have for the remainder of their lives. There are no exceptions. This is a MUST if you wish for a lifetime of peace with your dog(s).