Video of Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy socialization

Last Updated: July 2023

Last updated: July 2026

Bernese Mountain Dog Puppy is shown the rules of the dog

Nature knows best

One of the things about watching dogs meet for the first time is that if you know what you are looking for there is actually an awful lot going on. You see, dogs instinctively know that there are leaders and followers. This dear dog in the video named Willow was very clearly told that she was going to be a follower by my two girls. After all, Willow is still a young puppy and my two girls are aged 4 years and 8 years of age.

It happens as soon as Willow meets them, and it’s often very subtle, but make no mistake, it is all absolutely crucial. All the ignoring and growling at Willow is my dogs putting her in her place. When she tries to demand attention, my little dog really steps it up and growls at her until she submits. What I love is how all of this is so instinctual to dogs. They understand the need for leaders, especially good leaders! Have you ever wondered what messages you are giving out when you meet your dog? After all you want to be the pack leader with your dog, right?

The attention seeking pack leader

There is nothing most dogs need more in this world than strong human pack leaders. To make all the big decisions, such as what to do when the mail man turns up and how to respond to the neighbors cat who keeps coming over… Dogs can never fully understand all that goes on around them in this human world that they are made to live in, with all our rules and strange comings and goings. Dear Willow had been given the message that she was in fact the pack leader and so she thought that she could do what she liked. Unfortunately this was starting to become a nuisance to her owners when all she was doing in her mind is constantly telling them that she was really in charge. One of the ways she did this was insistently demanding attention and refusing to take “No” for an answer.

Take away the job of pack leader

Every year I work with hundreds of people who have dogs causing all sorts of issues. A very high percentage of these dogs are constantly demanding attention like Willow here. It can start off fun and entertaining, it can initially feel quite nice that your dog follows you and wants lots of cuddles, but it can soon leave you feeling drained, exhausted and frustrated. The solution is simple. When you take away their role as the pack leader by putting in place the 5 Golden Rules then without much extra effort you will be in a position to get your dog to switch off and relax.

Remember it all starts when you meet your dog.

Looking for additional puppy training resources? Check out my Puppy Coach training program!

Have a more mature dog? Find out more about how I've trained over 88,000 dogs here!

Love your dog today!

Cheers,

Doggy Dan

Doggy Dan stands out through his “five golden rules” that focus on canine psychology rather than repetitive drills or force. Unlike traditional trainers, he teaches owners to become the “calm leader” their dogs need. Over the last two decades, his methods have helped transform over 125,000 dogs worldwide. As the founder of TheOnlineDogTrainer.com blog and podcast and creator of the Dog Calming Code™, he has become a trusted voice in dog psychology and training. His philosophy is simple: reactive dogs don’t need punishment or endless treats. They need a leader they can trust.

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      Two months ago I adopted a 7 year old Morkie, a very nervous but loving little fellow. I tried several different training techniques and even purchased a program that was lengthy and very time consuming before I discovered Doggy Dan. I've been using his program for two weeks and am astounded by the change in my Dexter. He is calmer, more obedient and friendlier to others than I imagined possible. Dan's training is concise. It differs from others I found, Dan trains you to become the leader of your pack through a dog's perspective. I like that the training is specific yet compassionate. This is a program that works if you are consistent. Thanks Doggy Dan!
     
   Kathy Fore 
 17 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
Susie in the UK.  I am only 10 days in but took in a 9 yr old emergency rescue from Romania who had been in kennels for 6 years and then had 3 failed foster placements in the UK.  Luca is a  big powerful mixed breed with huge stress and anxiety and very reactive, he bounded into my home and took over - aggressive with my 2 others, and visitors and pulling and pushing on walks.  I thought I couldn't handle him but saw an advert for Doggy Dan on line and signed up - we've  had a wonderful turnaround and he is finally decompressing, being polite with my dogs and responds excellently to the time-out if reactive with guests.  Walks are much better and all 5 rules are in place.  I believe he will continue to improve but only if I remain 100% consistent with him for the rest of his life.  He is 9 years old and deserves a happy old age being loved and looked after with no further upsets in his life so fingers and toes are crossed for him
     
   SoBS Truro 
 15 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    +2
I started. The course 3/4 weeks ago. As Dan says you have to work on things if you get stuck. I have a Staffordshire x cane corso who is now six months old. She is very intelligent but sometimes she just doesn’t listen. Doing the five codes I’m finding it’s going pretty well except trying to get her calm so I am persevering with it again with my own space. I have a trainer call shortly which I will ask for advice on this. It’s great also that you can ask anything you’re not sure of on line. It’s so great to have someone there to help. I’m looking forward to having a relaxed girl instead of hyper most of the time as she gets so excited about almost everything. I would truly recommend doggy Dan and just wished I would have come across him much earlier. Thanks again for everything so far.
     
   Hazel Coad 
 12 September 2026
 
 
 
 
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 9 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
This program is amazing!. We have a VERY reactive rescue dog that has bitten his previous owner and as well, myself 3x and my husband 4 x's. He had never been around people or other animals, and had never been walked on a leash. (in fact never run off-leash either, just tied to the front steps). We began with traditional treat-based training with a professional, but the progress was frustrating. A reactive dog does not want treats; it wants comfort. With the 5 Golden Rules and and some of the other training we have received with our subscription, in just 3 weeks, we can let him off leash at the dog park, he has not growled at any stranger, and he has not attacked any other animals. He is still a work in progress, but we see progress!!!! He has become a cuddly, sweet dog and for a greyhound, he even has recall! This program is amazing to say the least. We were at our wits end, but now we have hope.
     
   susan kent 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    Okay, he says it’s not magic, but the results and the peace in so little time with so little effort sure feels like magic! My 11 month old pup was a 60lb highly reactive, very loud disaster waiting to happen. Now we are both calm, the house is quiet and I don’t live in absolute fear of his reactivity towards others. There’s always still work/training to do of course, but wow are we in a much better place to get on with that!
     
   Theresia Travers 
 8 September 2026
 
 
 
 
    Just started with the 5 rules. It's only been a week and a half and I'm noticing less stress, and a reduction in reactivity. We still have a way to go. But finally something I can work with. I went for the online course.
     
   Fiona Bower 
 31 August 2026
 
 
 
 
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 29 August 2026
 
 
 
 
    The program is great. I started to see the changes in my cocker spaniel from day one.
     
   Joy Winnington 
 18 August 2026
 
 
 
 
    +3
My Lab mix puppy and I are on Day 3 , but, I do feel a stronger connection. She appears calmer overall / looking forward to consistently following these five rules. Doggy Dan is clear, concise, comprehensive and compassionate . Very pleased with his program.  Diane
     
   Diane Patterson 
 16 August 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
We have an 8 month old Goldendoodle who has fear issues outside the home and gets easily overwhelmed going into panic/flee mode if several triggers coincide (people, loud dog barking and noises like motorcycles/construction). So pleased to find Doggy Dan and seeing positive changes after just two weeks. Feeding time is calm after using the gesture eating and "thank you" when he barks works a treat. I realized I'm babying my dog too much and trying to be his best pal instead of a leader so I'm working hard on that. We've changed to the no pull harness and love that. Doggy Dans video clips really help bring the philosophy together and I love his attitude. He is calm, clear, firm but so kind and loving with dogs and very down to earth and relatable. I've got great help too from the AI coach and the daily emails and videos help keep us on track and feeling positive. We've still got a mountain to climb with our pup but I finally feel hopeful and supported. We'd tried trainers, behavior specialists and all sorts before finding Doggy Dan and this is by far our best investment. Can't recommend you trying this highly enough. Photo of our boy.
     
   Jackie Ward 
 13 August 2026
 
 
 
 
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 13 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
I couldn’t believe my dog’s problem resolved completely within a week! Easy but not easy if you are inconsistent with the 5 rules. I highly recommend this method! Somethings don’t seem important or relevant but they are!
     
   Dawn McCordic 
 13 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
I just started my training about 2 weeks ago, and I do mean MY training. My 2 girls are really responding to my changes in how I am relating to them better. Thank you Doggy Dan, I really needed this win, 2 reactive dogs and we have made progress with the 5 golden rules and we have not with anything else. Crystal Gayle the Red Heeler and Sadie the Border Collie.
     
   Betty Nicholl 
 11 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +3
For three years, I tried every treat-based method and expensive course to stop my large, powerful male dog from pulling on the leash, barking, and stressing out when his energy got too high on our walks. (So while he is a farm dog who enjoys total freedom off-leash on our farm most of the day, on-leash in the city, he totally lost it). He was practically hanging from the leash, two feet in the air (almost strangling himself), always demanding to walk in front and make all the decisions. Absolutely nothing worked—until I found Doggy Dan! 🏆 After just a couple of weeks implementing The 5 Golden Rules, the transformation is absolutely mind-blowing!!! By focusing on connection and calm leadership rather than rigid commands, my dog has FINALLY reconnected with his natural calmness (that has actually always been there inside him) ❤️❤️ When we walk through town now, I look down at my dog walking in a perfect "heel." The leash hangs completely loose, and that loose leash really says it all 👍👍👍 He does not pull, bark, or growl AT ALL when other dogs bark at him!😱 Yes, he looks at them and is interested, but he remains completely calm. We pass shouting people, groups of kids on scooters, and dogs barking aggressively behind gates—he is interested, but he remains entirely unfazed. Just yesterday, we stopped in front of a fence with chickens walking in a garden, and he just stood there watching curiously, staying completely still. And as we walked across a large, grassy schoolyard, we suddenly crossed paths with two rabbits—when I told him to, he immediately sat down. Of course, he was highly interested, but he sat completely, utterly still! I constantly find myself thinking: This can NOT be my dog, LOL! 🐇🐓 Dan refers to himself as a dog trainer, but in my humble opinion he is a dog philosopher. The course is incredibly generous, filled with hundreds of real-life videos from every situation imaginable, offering a massive toolkit for an amazing price. I am so excited to continue this course, so happy about the progress, and so looking forward to the future with this beloved dog of mine. I HIGHLY recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
     
   Ingrid-Tove Astrup 
 8 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
I've only been working the program for a week and already are seeing some great improvements with an overexcitable, energetic, barking at everything, and fun Maltipoo. I'm focusing on the 5 golden rules and watching the training videos.  Thanks Doggy Dan!
     
   Rebecca Cheney 
 4 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    In a matter of days my 5 year old Frenchie is calmer and seems happier, albeit not happy that I'm ignoring him but it works! I live alone so he thinks he should be boss and protect me from every visitor but he didn't even bark at the window cleaner yesterday, just followed him around each window. My life might be my own soon, thank you!
     
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 2 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +4
The Golden rules i now understand are NOT called GOLDEN RULES FOR NO REASON!  WOW , JUST WOW, I WAS DOING ALL 5 WRONG !
     
   Tim Waldner 
 2 July 2026
 
 
 
 
    +0
We have adopted a Poodle and he us very high energy,  anxious and insecure. I joined the online program after I watched the free online webinar about the 5 Golden Rules. While watching the webinar all 3 of my dogs ran off barking... I calmly called out "thank you" and they all came back to me.. from that moment I was hooked. I love the fact that we use minimal sound in this technique as I can become anxious and unsure in my tone. I have seen results with the new Poodle and I am exited about our future. Thanks Doggy Dan, you are a gem 👌🐾🐾🐾
     
   Jane Uprichard 
 22 June 2026
 
 
 
 
    The training has been amazing. I've been training dogs in unprofessional situations since the mid 1970's. I've never heard of this philosophy! We have a 4-year-old Great Dane mix who is leash aggressive and hyper-reactive to any noises. This training has been incredible. In a week we've seen dramatic differences in his anxiety - just based on the 5 Golden Rules (we haven't even gotten to the Reactive Dog training yet). My only complaint is the persistent emails to sign up for the Canine Coaching Club - which is a monthly subscription. That's been a lot and it started immediately. Other than that, I highly recommend this training system.
     
   Kristi Nay 
 15 June 2026