Winning is a habit and the Bulldogs have picked it up better than anyone in the NRL, notching their eighth consecutive victory with a thrashing of Penrith at Telstra Stadium.

The Panthers have picked up some habits as well - unfortunately most of them bad.

"We gave away too many stupid penalties," Penrith coach John Lang said after his side's 46-20 loss to the Bulldogs before a crowd of over 22,000.

"It's not a part of our game but I'll be honest, there's a few of our players it has probably become too much a part of their game.

"A few of the same suspects are getting caught for the same things. We were probably at our worst tonight."

Asked why his side was giving away stupid penalties, Lang wryly replied: "Stupidity.

"I think some of them have got into some bad habits. They have to get out of it."

Mind you, there was no sign of what was to come in the opening 15 minutes of tonight's match, with Penrith taking an early 8-0 lead.

But once video referee Steve Clark ruled Steve Price failed to ground the ball in the 20th minute, the game swung dramatically the Bulldogs way.

Halfback Brent Sherwin scored two tries before halftime and the Bulldogs went on with the job in the second half, adding another six as they swamped the Panthers.

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