Are You The Pack Leader?

Many owners lovingly think of their dogs as part of the family. In actual fact, they treat them more like royalty. They spoil their dogs far more than they would ever spoil a child. The dog becomes a brat that wants to be the centre of attention all the time.

One of the fundamentals of successful dog training is establishing who’s in charge. If you want an obedient dog, you must assert yourself as the rightful leader of the pack. You don’t have to be overbearing to be the pack leader, but your dog will naturally compete for the role of leader if he suspects you aren’t doing a good enough job. Despite any attempts he may make, a dog will prefer you to be the leader as it takes all the responsibility off his shoulders. He wants to relax. He wants you to be the leader!

Key points for a leader:

Leaders lead; followers follow. Make sure, for example, you pass through doorways before he does. You must train your dog to follow. Always.

Leaders always get first shot at the food supply. That means your dog does not get his meal before you get yours. Part of good dog training means making sure he sees you eating first and that he sits patiently. No feeding him scraps from the table or viewing his begging as cute.

Never forget you are the leader. It’s not a part-time job. You control the meals. You control the exercise schedule. You control the toys. After playtime, he watches as you take the toy and set it out of reach until next time. He doesn’t get to take your favourite chair or block your way and resist moving when you walk through a room. If he brings you a toy hoping for a game, set the toy out of reach and choose another toy to play with. You make the rules! These dog training routines should be just that—routine. They should last throughout your pet’s lifetime.

Good leaders not only correct bad behavior but they reinforce good behavior by recognizing it visibly and rewarding it. Some owners are vigilant in correcting their dog but they forget to celebrate when their dog does something desirable. Remember—when you’re training your dog, it’s not enough to correct unwanted dog behavior. Successful dog obedience training includes enthusiastically rewarding good behavior. A simple nod or a smile isn’t enough. But rubbing his head while exaggerating your tone when you say, “Good boy!” is a clear signal that you are happy. And, believe me, he does want to make you happy.

Try to avoid the temptation to spoil your dog. Think of it as training your dog to be a responsible member of the community. He will be more than happy to defer to you as the leader if you take firm, calm, consistent control. And you’ll have a dog who’s a true joy to be around.