Training dogs and people

My boyfriend got a new, young, dog from the shelter. She knows sit 50%.

I have a 3 year old dog who knows the rules and likes to do other things (unless a treat is involved). Though I have stated multiple times to multiple people, “I am the pack leader” after some internet research, I have learned I am not, and the dog simple minds my requests like an employee. According to this guy: leerburg.com My dog is disrespectful, ill behaved, and I shouldn’t own a pet, procreate, or visit with any creature that doesn’t have opposable thumbs. I agree with him about 75%. I believe the 25% where we differ is because of the following: I am not a dog trainer. I am not a dog breeder. I do not (nor do I want to) own 17 dogs.

I work at the front desk of an office where I am required to press a button to unlock the door. Alternatively, employees are requested to always have their key to let themselves into the office. Some do, some don’t. Some walk in front of my window so I can see who I’m letting in, some don’t.

Goals:

Train my dog not to run ahead of me when people come to the door, when we walk into/out of a room together, when we walk down the stairs.

Train my dog to sit before she’s allowed outside.

Reinforce any and all behavior training for my boyfriends dog.

Not unlock the door until I see who is there. If they can’t move over 2 feet to show their face, then I can’t move over 2 feet to push the button.

The other day, my dog and I were going up and down the stairs frequently. She is not currently required to wait behind me while we go down, but she is when we go up. On the way up, she stayed behind me every time, and eventually earned a treat. After she had the treat, she cut me off on the way down, and blew past me on the way up. She is always reprimanded when this happens, and praised when she does the right thing, but after reading that Leerburg guy, I realized that I may not be the pack leader. I’m the lady with the rules and occasionally the treats. I’m the lady with the food and water bowl, the lady with the leash, etc. She also has begun not being able to listen to me when guests come over. I should be able to control this.

There is a man who has been coming in for frequent meetings. He talks on his cell phone, let’s himself in the door (whether behind someone else, or after I have accidentally pushed the button), and is generally rude and confused by the “gatekeeper” rules. Today, he came in, chatted on his cell in the waiting area for about 5 minutes, and then tried to get in the door. When he realized it was locked and I was staring at him, he asked if something was wrong with the door, and I said “yeah, I didn’t unlock it. Who are you?” “I have to tell you who I am to get in?” Yes, you do, asshole. I played nice and said that until I recognize him (which I should by the end of the week), or he explains who he is and what he’s there for, he has to wait like every other person. I’m not going to lie, I get a giggle out of every jerk who expects the door will be opened, and pulls the locked door to no avail.