The following information is based on the suggestions of Martine Freeman and Sheena Jackson, People-Pet Partnership, Australia.

All attention is on the leader. Asking your dog to pay attention to you, and then keeping that attention is the cornerstone of becoming the pack leader, and in fact the cornerstone of all obedience training. You should aim to be able to ask your dog to look directly at you, even in the midst of major distractions like the presence of other dogs or food. Start by attracting your dog's attention in a calm environment using squeaky toys or interesting vocal noises, and then reward your dog with food whenever they look directly at you. Try this exercise in all kinds of situations, working up to getting your dog's attention at the park. Another way to get your dogs attention is to ask them to hold back from interesting activities like playing, awaiting your release command for them to go have fun. A good way to do this is to start saying "Leave It" whenever you place their dinner bowl down in front of them. If they move toward the bowl and try to eat, pick up the bowl and start again. Eventually they will be waiting for your signal that they can eat. You can use the same idea to teach them to hold a Stay until you say Okay for them to go run and play.

Leaders are dependable. Be consistent! Be reliable! Be on time! Meal times especially should always be fed on a strict schedule. Let your dog come to be comfortable that you will always have food in their bowl at the right time, the same time every day. If your dog can come to trust you with important things like providing food, they will automatically look to you for leadership in other areas as well. Take care that you don't put your dog in an uncomfortable or dangerous position either. As a leader you will lose respect if you try to make your dog do more than they can handle, so take care with socialising your dog, and exposing them to new experiences. Don't leave your dog in a position where they are stressed, such as locked up indoors when they desperately need to relieve themselves outside.

Leaders eat before everyone else. Such a simple rule, but eat before you feed your dogs and let them see you eating. You can prepare your dog's meals first, and let them see you do it, but only give them their meail when you have finished. In doing this you are working on keeping their attention on you, as well as elevating your status as leader and provider within the pack. If you control an important resource like food, your dog won't want to get you off side! If you feel you have already successfully established yourself as the pack leader, then you can make your own decision about whether you or your dog eats first. If your dog has been out exercising and is particularly hungry, you may want to take care of their needs before your own.

Make your dog earn praise and treats. This is such an important rule, nothing should come free for your dog. Even if they just have to sit or shake hands or look into your eyes before you pass them their dinner, if you remain in control of everything you will continue to build your dog's trust and respect, as well as attention span on you. Make yourself relevant to your dog's life by letting everything they want come through you.

Leaders control territory. Leaders make all the decisions in the pack, and in particular decide on the whole where all the other pack members are allowed to be. Set aside some specific areas in your home your dog is not allowed to go, but you are. As the only one allowed in the forbidden territory, you will strengthen your leadership role. Teach your puppy to sit at each boundary you choose, such as the doorway to the kitchen or bedroom, and praise them if they remain sitting and do not cross the line. If they start to cross the line, saying "Uh uh!" and leading or carrying them back across to the right side of the line without giving them any treats usually establishes the boundary after a dozen or so repetitions.

Leaders lead and others follow. When you're on a walk you are the one who decides where you go. By all means let your dog explore to the end of the lead and sniff out the interesting smells (after all, that's why you're walking them) but you can set the limits of which trees and fences can be sniffed, and how long they can be sniifed. The entire time you are on your walk half your dog's attention should still be on you, keeping an eye on where you are and where you are going. At home, ask your dog to sit before you open a door, and pass through the door yourself first, before inviting your dog to follow. A natural leadership step.

Leaders win games. Some trainers will say don't ever play tug of war with your dog, because of the instinctive element of competition it brings out. In reality there is no problem with tug of war, it can be as fun for dogs as it is for people, just make sure you win at least half the time, and also make sure you can ask your dog to drop the rope at any time and bring them back under control before continuing the game.

Work on controlling posture and accepting grooming. Resting your hand gently on top of your dog's muzzle is a naturally dominant gesture. After a few dozen trials your dog should accept your hand on their muzzle without trying to pull away. It may take more time, and of course never try muzzle control with an aggressive or unsocialised dog. The act of grooming your dog basically forces them into a submissive position. They should accept you touching any part of their body, and in particular should let you examine ears, eyes, teeth and gums, toenails, tails and allow you to rub their belly while they lie on their back. You should be able to ask your dog to assume a variety of positions during grooming such as a Sit or a Down, again asking your dog to comply with these requests asks them to accept your leadership.