Said Colorless: "My "vig" is gettin' me a notary pup for Christmas."
What's a "vig?" If they bring dogs, I might need to get involved with a Vig Clan just in case I have a yen for another dog.
About training -
(1) It takes a lot of time and notary patience to train a dog to have good manners and to be able to pass the Notary Dog training course.
(2) When you leave the house (if they are not invited) tell them you are going to "work." That way they learn when you say "work" that them riding along is not an option. Pretty soon, the fight of getting out the door (once they are crate trained) does not happen and they know you are leaving but will come back.
They are very smart. Help them understand how long you will be gone so they won't get destructive. If you are only going to be gone a short while say "work" but also say you'll be back in "two minutes" so they know you will be home in a few minutes. If you will be gone several hours say you'll be back this "afternoon" so they know you are coming back after a long amount of time. They learn to react by words/actions & consequences.
When the dog is allowed to go, I tell her "We have to go to *town.* Go find your *leash.*"
(3) Leash training: Dogs hate leashes at first. Put a light cheap one on her to wear around the house when she's walking well. That way she is not afraid of it and won't fight it when you start having to put her on one to walk her.
(4) Show displeasure by not meeting her gaze. For instance, when I want mine to sit still while I put on her leash to go for a walk, I hold the leash and will not look at her while she jumps around and barks. When she sits still and waits patiently I look at her, pet her and then snap on her leash. Use the "good gaze & praise" method to teach them good behavior.
I trained mine not to get into the trash while I was gone by saying "Look at this mess!" and not looking at her while I picked it up. After I finished cleaning it up, I would look very sad and not look at her while she acted "cute" and happy to see me. After a minute I would sit down and call her to me to make up with her.
(5) Get a few small bean bags to softly toss *at* her when she's acting badly so that she connects bad behavior with an unwelcomed consequence.
(6) Never let her get in the habit of jumping on your legs so she won't jump on people. (Use "NO!," fold your arms, and don't look at her when she does it. Love on her when she sits and waits for you to pet her.
(7) If you don't want her to beg while you are eating, put her in her crate and say you have to go to *bed* I am *eating.* Soon, she'll learn that "We are eating." means go get in your bed.
(8) Potty training...I used modified crate training on mine. When you cannot watch them, you need to keep them in a crate to teach them about "going outside." Mine was ill when I got her so my lap was part of her crate training (thus the "Modified"). I sat and held her a lot of the time. And then took her out as soon as she woke up. When they are small, put them in the crate when you have to leave the house so they don't find a nice little hidden potty patch in your home. Brag on her when she does the right thing. Use a word while she is doing the right thing so that as she gets older, she connects the word with what you want to get done right then (i.e., you are outside and it's freezing, but she wants to prance around and sniff. Keep saying the word/words for potty time and pretty soon they'll learn to perform upon command.)
The security part, and alarm barking comes naturally.
