When it comes to training your dog, people ask a lot of questions about breaking bad dog habits, stopping jumping up, stopping barking… the list goes on. But the key that you should be asking is “how do I become the pack leader”?
You might not realize it, but this is by far the most important question.
To teach your dog ANYTHING, you have to know how to convince your dog that you are the person in charge. Think of the pack leader as the decision maker – where you should go on the walk, how to behave in different situations and how to respond to all the strange things that are out there.
When you understand how dogs packs work you soon realize the importance of this, that the pack leader makes all the decisions. If you do not assert yourself as the pack leader, then your dog will automatically take over this role. And if you leave it up to your dog then there a good chance that your dog is going to get somethings very wrong, and behave in ways that you really do not want!
In order to understand how to become the pack leader you must first recognize that the following means nothing to a dog….
What car you drive, the size of your house, the money you earn or the fact that you speak languages! Your dog would happily swap all of that for a nice snack!
Maybe your dog is the one with the right priorities… but that is another topic altogether ??
Just asking your dog to sit before her dinner falls a long way short of what you need to be doing to become the pack leader and walking through doorways is only necessary when your dog is on the lead.
But remember, dominating your dog is certainly NOT the way to become the pack leader. Becoming the pack leader only by being a bully can backfire badly on you later on since you are teaching your dog that physical strength is what it is all about. Whilst you may force your dog into submission it will not be truly convincing in your dog’s mind that you are worthy of the position – and you will always be open to challenge.
So how do you become the pack leader?
All dogs worldwide, regardless of breed use the same ways to check to establish the pack leader. The best way to learn about how to put it into practice is to watch it being done on video. But the important areas to take control in are the following:
The pack leader will be in total calm control when your dog barks and alerts you to danger. This includes anything that your dog may perceive as dangerous and barks at in and around the property.
On the walk your dog should not pull you at a single stage, even the beginning! Learning to walk your dog properly can only really be learnt through video as I have found out!
If you are the pack leader then your dog should be able to relax and switch off completely inside the house. If your dog is always switched on most of the time and can’t relax then that is your dog on pack leader duty!
Getting your dog to switch off is directly connected to how you meet and greet your dog after your return home. You need to watch it on video it is so subtle but it is the difference between being the pack leader or the follower.
Lastly, feeding your dog correctly will establish who is the pack leader and there is much more to it than asking your dog to sit! Also if you have a dog that is “not food motivated” then you may be in for a surprise! There is one site that shows you – using video – exactly how to become the pack leader and how crucial it is to changing any behavioral issue.
If you want to understand more about this topic or see the videos that explain everything then simply take a look at The Online Dog Trainer here.