Your dog will look to you to provide him with effective leadership. Being a good leader means providing your dog with structure and guidance. You may think that routine is boring, but it helps your dog understand his world, be calm and stay out of trouble.

Here are a few suggestions:

• When interacting with your dog, be kind and consistent.
  
• Teach your dog to control his mouth. If he mouths or nips you, react with a stern “No biting!” This will teach him that you are not another dog and he needs to treat you differently.
  
• Have him ‘sit’ or ‘down’ before you give him anything he wants, from petting to tossing a toy. When he responds to you before you respond to him, he will start to look to you to set the rules, while at the same time getting in daily training practice.
  
• Gently handle your dog’s ears, mouth and paws so he learns to accept this. Start when he is very young and for brief periods of time. Remain playful during these exercises – make a game out of them. Praise him and reward him with treats. These exercises are easy with most dogs but if your dog really struggles or gets upset, consult your veterinarian or seek assistance from a qualified dog trainer as soon as possible.
  
• Use different tones of voice to communicate different messages. A higher than normal pitch is exciting and playful and perfect for praise. A normal tone - direct and confident – is your command tone. A lowered voice comes across as a warning because your dog associates it with a growl. With practice, your dog can learn to understand your mood through your tone of voice.
  
• Remember that dogs learn through practice and repetition. Be patient!

If you do these things consistently, your dog will develop into a friendly, well-balanced and well-mannered canine.