Once you have completed training your dog you quite often relax into a softer mood and behavior towards your pooch. You just begin to take things easy, relying on the fact that your dog now knows the rules of the house and is willing to keep them.
After all, your training efforts were meant to teach him how to be a "Good Dog" in your household and environment. Now that he comes when you call, sits when you tell him to and walks on the lead without pulling your arm off all is well and both of you are happy.
Your dog now starts to do certain things he was not allowed to do during the educational period of his life, like sit on the sofa or sniff around for a while before coming when you call him.
All this is natural because you can not be expected to keep up "dog training mode" for an infinite number of years.
But there are some rules you need to enforce all the time because if you don't your dog may run into serious trouble.
Those are the No Matter What Rules any dog owner must obey in order to safeguard the life of his dog.
Rule # 1 Do not let your dog run out of the front gate. Always make sure he is on the lead. Do not tolerate any exceptions. Make it very clear to him that he must wait at the gate no matter what. Too many dogs get killed by cars because they run out into the roads.
Rule # 2 Do not let your dog push his way past you at the front door for the same reason. Make it very clear to him that pushing past you in doorways is a cardinal sin which you will not have at all.
Rule # 3 For your own safety your dog must either walk down stairs before you or after you have reached the bottom. If you allow him to rush down a staircase behind you he may soon cause you to break your neck.
Rule # 4 Your dog needs to come when you call him. This is a must for any dog. You can not afford him to come when and if he pleases to do so. A dog who comes at all times is a safe dog.
Rule # 5 Your dog needs to know a command which stops him right in his tracks, no matter what he is up to. Whether he means to pick something up or whether he intends to go somewhere. You need to be able to stop him anytime anyplace.
Following those rules both you and your dog will be safe together. Violating them means risking injury and unhappiness for both of you and possibly any third party involved.
