How can I assert dominance over my dog?

I'm curious as to what the behaviors are. What exactly is he doing?

Here's the perfect article, I'm sure it'll help:

http://dogpublic.com/articles/article.aspx?sid=14&...

ETA: He walks ahead of you simply because you allow him to. He isn't defying your authority by walking where he pleases because he hasn't been effectively taught that he should walk elsewhere. He wants to go forward, so he's going forward. From now, if he's pulling ahead, simply stop. Any time he's pulling, do not go forward. Reward him heavily for being where you want him to be. If you want him by your side, only proceed forward if he's by your side. Shovel his absolute favorite treat into his mouth when he's doing the right thing. You have to teach him that it's worth it to walk beside you because as it is, he's being rewarded to walk ahead of you because by walking ahead of you, he gets to go where he wants to go.

I'm not really sure what's wrong with him leading you into the living room. You guys are just going into the living room, and that's that.

He lays on top of you because you're warm and comfy. Begin teaching him an "off" command; he wasn't born knowing human words and manners. Can you summon him up onto the couch by patting it or something? Get him on the couch, and then simply point to the floor, say "off" and wait for him to jump off. At first, you may want to let him know that you have a tasty treat waiting for him when he obeys. Once he knows he'll be getting a great reward, he should catch on quickly.

If you dislike him laying on you, every time he begins to step onto you, instantly and firmly stand up. Do this consistently to thwart his efforts.

What's wrong with him barking to be let out? Many owners have great trouble with housebreaking because their dog refuses to give any obvious signal like that. He's just communicating a message to you in the way that he has learned is effective. He needs to pee, and you let him out when he barks, so he barks.

He jumps up because he's excited and hasn't been effectively trained not to do so. Try being a tree when he jumps. Basically, he gets absolutely no acknowledgment whenever he jumps. What he wants most is to go for a walk and to be with you, so punish him by giving him neither. Don't even bother with a "NO!" or anything. Say nothing. Do not look at him. Cross your arms and turn slightly away. As soon as he stops for a moment, praise him and tell him to sit. Then reward him by clipping on the leash and going. (It's even better if he sits on his own, though, so hope for that.) (You may also give him a food or petting reward to further reinforce the behavior.) Basically, teach him that he is NOT going anywhere until he is waiting politely.

(If his "sit" isn't strong enough for him to obey you, practice it. Arm yourself with tons of tasty, small treats. Begin in a room without distractions. Gradually increase the distractions until he can still focus in almost any situation. Reward him very well, but make sure you vary the rewards so that he doesn't refuse to obey if you don't have food! Sometimes, give him three treats. Sometimes, give him none. Keep him guessing!)

ETA (again):

Good for you for noticing that disclaimer on Millan's show! For the most part, I do not recommend his methods. I'd like for him to read that article I provided, oy..

First of all, I would like to point out that it will never be a good idea to leave your dog unattended with children that young! I don't care how much training this dog gets and who ends up being boss, there will never be a good ending to that scenario, so you may have to get used to being there ALL THE TIME. I am frankly surprised that you would be willing to take on a rescue dog when you have so much to do with twins. I would actually recommend that you return this dog and wait until the babies are older before you consider taking this on. For those who think the "alpha roll" is a good idea, please show me a video where the alpha roll is used in the wild-wolves, wild dogs, hyenas-I will take anything! You will have some trouble, as this is NOT done in a pack environment-ever. Pack leaders rule through intimidation-they very seldom have to resort to violence or anything physical. When dealing with very young puppies, a gentle roll onto the back (not forceful at all) is a way of teaching a pup to respond to you as a leader. A forced "alpha roll" on an adult dog with issues is a great way to get your face ripped off and the poor dog euthanized. Dog training DVDs are not dog training. You need to be involved with the trainer in order to learn anything.

Rather than worry about "asserting dominance" consider that everything you do is training your dog. Google "Nothing in Life is Free" it's lifestyle training that teaches the dog that everything good in life comes from you WHEN he does as you ask.

It's not going to be an instantaneous change...but over time you'll see that your dog becomes a happy member of the household instead of a monster brat.

Well you've been to training classes. It's time to put that training into effect at home. If it offends you to have your dog walk in front of you, tell him to heel and make him. You can also train him to walk behind you. Instead of allowing him to overpower you on the couch, don't allow him on the couch. Have him do a down stay on the floor. Alpha rolls and the like are going to get you hurt so don't do them. If he is trying to get in front of you during your walks, do an about turn and walk the other way. It's his problem if he gets a correction. If he's not walking on a loose leash, he doesn't understand heeling. If he bites or growls at you make him do a 30 minute down stay, (yes you read that right). a trained dog should be able to lie down for 30+ minutes while you walk around the room or are sitting down on ONLY ONE COMMAND. It sounds like you are too worried about being alpha instead of just training this dog to respect you. You might want to consider taking this dog through another class that teaches more advanced skills so that you and him can start to respect each other. You never mentioned the age or breed of this dog but he sounds like a spoiled brat that needs a job to do.

Two words: patience and persistence.

It sounds like you are doing many of the right things, so keep it up. I think training is important - and you are doing it - it's the constant repetition and reward that hopefully will eventually get through to the dog. Training doesn't have to end after a class - it is an ongoing process. I think the process is more important than learning the commands.

The "dominance" and "pack leader" concepts are sound, but can be misinterpreted as something harsh, and maybe people react to them on that basis. Take whatever term you want, but use the concept and use it kindly.

There is no need to assert dominance over a dog. What you need is to show leadership so the dog will trust you to make all the decisions and accept your decisions without question.

If you train your dog fairly and by positive methods your dog will respect you. Respect is what you want and it has nothing to do with showing dominance over your dog.

Every dog needs some type of training. The first class I ever took a dog to was https://tr.im/qadDG

It's a very basic kind of class. They will help you with your dog, and show you how to work with your dog at home.

They'll also answer any questions you have about your dog's particular problems and how to handle them. The most important thing in dog training is to be consistent and work with your dog at home on the lessons. The PetSmart class teaches sit, down, come, and the very basics every dog needs to know. They will also help socialize your dog. You are unhappy with an untrained dog, and believe it or not, the dog is actually unhappy to. You need to take your dog now, as the older he gets, the harder it will be to correct your dog's bad habits. Plus the classes are fun for you and your dog. My dog went from that first PetSmart class on to advanced obedience classes. You might also contact your local humane society. The one in my area offers obedience classes with a very good trainer at a reduced price.

I know what you mean. Make it plain to your dog, that you are alpha. Do not praise misbehavior, but instead admonish your dog. When your dog refuses to listen, have a little staring contest. But make sure you win. When walking your dog, make it very regularly at specific times(3-4 times at least a day) and on your watch (not when the dog decides he want to take a walk), make sure you are walking the dog and not the other way around. Keep him/her firmly to the side and at a certain distance, but be sure you give him enough room to stop and do his/her business. Mealtimes should be at a certain time, as well, not when your dog decides that he/she is hungry. But do not forget to praise for good behavior/ reward your dog. Don't forget, however, that your dog is your friend and you do not necessarily need to assert dominance (usually only if your dog is having serious behavioral problems).

One great model is Victoria Stillwell on "It's me or the dog" on animal planet. She makes sure you eat first and let the dog see it. Later you feed the dog in its bowl. Don't give out any food from your plate or let it steal from your plate. Use a clicker and treats to reward good behavior and a quick "ah ah" to verbally tell them to stop. I really don't know what troubles you are having, but if you watch that show, you will get a great sense of how to be dominant.

The episode I put below is Victoria solving several big problems of a boxer who thinks he is the alpha male. Hopefully this will help you.

Dogs are not people, they don't think like people. They are animals that were once a pack type breed. You DO have to establish dominance over them. That doesn't mean you want then to fear you, you want them to respect you and look up to you as their leader. Any time you have to chastise the animal if should be followed immediately by affection, showing him that you aren't mad at him, you just want him to do things YOUR way and not his.