We have three loving, energetic, and excitable working dogs – A Yellow Lab, A Boston Terrier, and a hyper-charged border collie. All are by nature “push dogs,” that is, they get each other cranked up, are enthusiastic, and will rush out the door ahead of us if they get the chance.

I call dogs like this “push dogs,” and push dogs are troubled dogs without boundaries.

They chew things, run after dogs and animals, jump up and knock down people and children, and sometimes the elderly.

Almost every trainer in the world knows the importance of making a dog sit and stay before eating, of nothing for free,  wait for people to give the signal without rushing out the door, and calming themselves when they get excited.

When dogs push ahead of humans, that is a warning sign and a wake-up call. Those dogs will often have problems.

This has been a particular problem for Maria, an artist who is often distracted by visions of work. She will open the door and not even notice the dogs charging out, barking, and running out of control.

I suggested that she never lets the dogs enter or leave the house ahead of her.

So she’s started a program to counter that, and it’s going great. When she opens a door, she turns and faces the dogs and asks them to sit. They sit for anywhere from three to five minutes before she gives the “okay” command, and waves them out.

Then, they can get as crazy as they want.

I believe we need to be leaders for our dogs, not just adoring parents and joyous pals. Dogs are pack animals, they will choose a leader if you don’t step up, and you might not like the leader they choose.

Like children, people often have trouble saying no to their dogs, and like children, they will sometimes repay this generosity by turning into furry monsters, crashing into people, getting too excited to control, chewing up the house.

We should become the leaders of our pack; the dogs need it; it makes them feel safe. Dog leaders always run ahead; they are out the door and out of their caves. Dogs don’t want to be in charge any more than children do.

It frightens them.

If people don’t lead, dogs will, and that will affect their behavior in your home for all of their lives.

This morning, Maria opened the back door and told Fate, and Zinnia and Bud to sit.

They were eager to go out, but they sat for nearly five minutes while I went to get my camera, which was in the other room.

Maria and I don’t want to have a “push” dog.

She is doing a great job.