Dog Leadership - Becoming a Pack Leader

"Do not make the mistake of treating your dogs like humans or they will treat you like dogs." -Martha Scott

Many times dog-owners do not realize that dogs are dogs, and not humans. Dogs and humans are of a different nature and thus, have different needs. Although we might feel like "spoiling" our dogs and giving them what they want, we must learn that really loving our dogs means disciplining them and offering them a balanced life-style.

All dogs need leaders, including yours. Dogs operate on a pack system, and each pack has a leader. This is what is natural for a dog. If you do not take the leadership position, the dog will! This means that your dog will have control over you and your house and this will soon become chaos.

Almost all behavior problems stem from poor or lack of leadership. With that said, becoming your dog's leader is essential to a good dog-owner relationship and a well-balanced life.

Providing your dog with structure and leadership will produce a happier, less anxious, and balanced animal!

What it means to be a Pack Leader

As a pack leader, you have certain duties to perform and privileges to enjoy. The leader is:

• 1. Responsible for pack safety
• 2. Responsible for providing food and shelter
• 3. To have the best and highest sleeping spot
• 4. To decide when the pack eats, sleeps, plays, and eliminates
• 4. To ensure pack is in order

Being your dog's pack leader does not mean that you can mistreat your dog or punish him for no reason. On the contrary, good dog leadership comes from kind, firm, and fair behavior. The pack leader communicates a sense of safety and trust to its pack. Good leaders let the pack members know that things are under control.

In order to become your dog's pack leader, you must act like one. For this, it is helpful to know how a pack leader acts. The list below will give you an idea.

Act like a Leader

1. Do not leave food around. Feed your dog at scheduled mealtimes (No free-feeding). The dog must learn that food comes from you.
2. Feed your dog after you have eaten. Pack leaders eat first.
3. The dog goes after you through doorways.
4. If you establish eye contact, dog must look away first.
5. Do not allow your dog to bite or put his teeth on anyone, not even when you're playing.
6. Do not allow your dog to sleep on the bed. The highest sleeping place, the bed, goes to the leader: you.
7. Attention will be given on your terms, when you decide. Do not pet the dog when he nudges or paws you. And, do not pick up the dog or put him down when he demands that you do. Pick him up when he does something for you, i.e. sit. Put him down when he settles down.
8. Playtime is initiated and ended by you.
9. Do not allow the dog on the furniture, unless you invite him. Otherwise, the dog will be at your level.
10. A simple obedience command, such as "sit" should be obeyed before any pleasurable activity (eat, walk, play, etc.)
11. Teach your dog not to pull on the leash while on a walk.
12. Do not leave the dog unsupervised with people who cannot maintain leadership over the dog.
13. If your dog is in your path on a floor or stairway, the dog must move, even if you are able to step over him.
14. Do not allow the to sniff or pee/poo anywhere he wants when you're walking him. He should be on "traveling" mode.
15. Take ownership of everything (toys, crate, food, leash, bed, etc). You should be able to clean, move, handle or remove any item at any time without hassle from the dog.
16. Teach your dog a release command ("drop it", "give", "release", "out") for things in his mouth. The dog should not be allowed to steal things and if that happens, they should be able to release item on command.

The Dog Whisperer on "Becoming A Pack Leader"

If you follow these techniques and are consistent with you dog, he will soon see you as its leader and you will enjoy a disciplined, respectful, and obedient dog.

practice, practice, practice!