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How does your dog’s behavior rate? Answer each of the questions with these points.   Add the points and transfer to the grading system.
   No/Rarely = 1 point
   Sometimes = 5 points
   Frequently = 10 points

When the doorbell rings, does your dog bark and/or run to the door?
Does your dog demand attention by asking to be petted or to play?
Does your dog jump up on visitors (and sometimes on you)?
Does your dog ignore you when you call him/her to come?
Does your dog exhibit destructive behaviors, i.e. ruining furniture, etc?
Does your dog attempt to escape from your house or yard
? Does your dog have housebreaking accidents in the home?
Does your dog chew on items such as shoes, children’s toys, trash, etc?
Does your dog play too roughly with children and/or adults?
Does your dog bark while outside, at passers-by, or just about anything?
When left alone, does your dog show signs of “separation anxiety”?
Does your dog dig holes in the yard?
Does your dog show unusual behavior or anxiety at the vet hospital?
Does your dog “steal” items, such as food from counters or tables?
When in a “stay”, does your dog leave the stay before being released?
Does your dog show any aggression toward other dogs or people?
Does your dog run up the stairs and/or through the doorways ahead of you?
Does your dog walk ahead of you or pull you when on the leash?
Does your dog mouth or nip people’s hands, arms, or feet?
Has your dog ever bitten a person or another dog? If so, grade 10 points.

Add the points and grade appropriately:
19 - 27 points = Grade A
28 - 50 points = Grade B
51 - 85 points = Grade C
86 – 139 points = Grade D
140 – 200 points = Grade F

Grade B
Dogs in this category are typically wonderful family dogs with a few rough edges. This dog could easily move to the “A” group with some training.

Grade C
While these dogs need training, frequently they don’t receive it because their annoying behaviors are “just not bad enough”. It’s unfortunate because “C” dogs can improve quickly and bring great joy and happiness to families. With training, the owner can be assured the behaviors will only get better – not worse.

Grade D
This category of dogs has issues that can be serious if not addressed soon. Owners of these dogs are constantly being annoyed and irritated by their behavior, and are beginning to think, “Something has got to be done”. Fortunately, dogs can change their behavior quite easily, so these owners should seek help immediately.

Grade F
Most people with dogs that rate an “F” are desperate for change, but many don’t know what to do. These dogs are out of control and serious problems can arise if they are not trained. Owners of these dogs sometimes consider putting them down. However the vast majority of dogs can be saved with training, eliminating the owner’s grief and guilt.

	Does your dog charge out the door to go outside? Body Blocks In creating the leader of the pack in your household one of the most important actions is that your dog follows you out the door not you following and maybe chasing your dog outside. Body blocks are a great way of preventing the charging out the door. Go to an outside door and open it a crack. As your dog tries to charge out, step into your dog, and do a “hip check” or lower leg “check” for small dogs. Keep stepping into your dog until you can open the door without your dog taking a step towards the door. Your goal is that 100% of the time your dog is to follow you out the door. Remember all dogs should be followers not the leader, which is your role.
	How does your dog’s behavior rate? Answer each of the questions with these points. Add the points and transfer to the grading system. No/Rarely = 1 point Sometimes = 5 points Frequently = 10 points When the doorbell rings, does your dog bark and/or run to the door? Does your dog demand attention by asking to be petted or to play? Does your dog jump up on visitors (and sometimes on you)? Does your dog ignore you when you call him/her to come? Does your dog exhibit destructive behaviors, i.e. ruining furniture, etc? Does your dog attempt to escape from your house or yard ? Does your dog have housebreaking accidents in the home? Does your dog chew on items such as shoes, children’s toys, trash, etc? Does your dog play too roughly with children and/or adults? Does your dog bark while outside, at passers-by, or just about anything? When left alone, does your dog show signs of “separation anxiety”? Does your dog dig holes in the yard? Does your dog show unusual behavior or anxiety at the vet hospital? Does your dog “steal” items, such as food from counters or tables? When in a “stay”, does your dog leave the stay before being released? Does your dog show any aggression toward other dogs or people? Does your dog run up the stairs and/or through the doorways ahead of you? Does your dog walk ahead of you or pull you when on the leash? Does your dog mouth or nip people’s hands, arms, or feet? Has your dog ever bitten a person or another dog? If so, grade 10 points. Add the points and grade appropriately: 19 - 27 points = Grade A 28 - 50 points = Grade B 51 - 85 points = Grade C 86 – 139 points = Grade D 140 – 200 points = Grade F Grade A Your dog is extremely well behaved. Congratulations! Grade B Dogs in this category are typically wonderful family dogs with a few rough edges. This dog could easily move to the “A” group with some training. Grade C While these dogs need training, frequently they don’t receive it because their annoying behaviors are “just not bad enough”. It’s unfortunate because “C” dogs can improve quickly and bring great joy and happiness to families. With training, the owner can be assured the behaviors will only get better – not worse. Grade D This category of dogs has issues that can be serious if not addressed soon. Owners of these dogs are constantly being annoyed and irritated by their behavior, and are beginning to think, “Something has got to be done”. Fortunately, dogs can change their behavior quite easily, so these owners should seek help immediately. Grade F Most people with dogs that rate an “F” are desperate for change, but many don’t know what to do. These dogs are out of control and serious problems can arise if they are not trained. Owners of these dogs sometimes consider putting them down. However the vast majority of dogs can be saved with training, eliminating the owner’s grief and guilt.
	. How to create a working relationship with your dog . . . Train on a regular basis. Ideally, every time you interact with your dog you are training him/her, but train at least twice a day for 10-20 minutes. Feed your dog twice a day. Make your dog sit and stay as you set the food down then say “O.K.”. Give your dog 15 minutes to eat and then take the food away. Do not feed your dog any table scraps or coax your dog to eat. Your dog will not starve themself. Make your dog earn your praise and pets by obeying a command first. Do not pet your dog when it comes up and nudges your arm. Stop cuddling your dog. Keep your dog off your bed, couch, and lap. Have your dog wait to go through doorways or down stairs until you go first. Give your dog only 1 toy at a time and save the rest. Play games such as fetch, hide-n-seek, or tricks like play dead, and roll over. No tug o’war, wrestling, or chase games. These games encourage the dog to put their strength against the handler’s and to bite down on things instead of letting go. If your dog is lying in your path, make them move instead of walking over. Use a quiet tone of voice to give commands and give a command only once. You don’t want your dog to only listen to a raised voice. Do one 30 minute down – stay without touching, giving treats or toys daily. Only let your dog get up when you say, “O.K.”. Spay or neuter your dog. Especially if your dog is aggressive. Require your dog to stand, sit or lie still during brushing and grooming. Let your dog sleep in your bedroom but in their own bed on the floor. Exercise daily. Large dogs need at least 20 minutes of constant moving. This protocol should be followed for at least 7 weeks. Some of these steps should always be in place.
	Timeout! Timeout! We hear it during football games, arguments, and when children misbehave. It means take a break. Stop. Think. Training your dog should be no different. If you let your canine friend run around the house, wreaking havoc in every corner, they will take over control. Most punishments are ineffective and have negative side effects. For example, yelling “NO” at your barking dog actually rewards it. Negative attention is still attention, and that’s what your dog wants. Harsher punishments can stop unwanted behaviors but at a heavy price. If you grab your dog’s muzzle when it nips, it might teach it not to do so, but it also might make your dog uncomfortable with hands coming near its face. To simply and effectively solve unwanted behaviors, remove rewards. During timeouts, you remove every reward for a short period of time. There are three ways to give a doggie timeout: Keep your dog on a leash at all times when you are present (until it is trained). Step on the leash or tether it to a stable object near you, and ignore your dog. Confine your dog to a crate. Confine your dog to a long-term confinement area, such as a bathroom or small kitchen. BACK