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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Lynne has been training dogs since 1985. She has worked as head trainer for two facilities, a studio trainer (print ads, commercials and television) and as a continuing ed and certification rep for what was then the largest dog training company in the US. Lynne is a member of the IACP and keeps her training techniques current by attending various seminars and reading books. She currently competes in the sport of schutzhund, has a registered therapy dog, and has started her young Papillion in agility. Lynne owns and runs Blazing Trails K9 Academy in Santa Clarita/Antelope valley California.
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5/16/2005
Who is leading the canine/human pack at your house? Is your dog walking you when you take him out on a leash? Is he stealing from your room or counters? Does he insist on being the first at the front door when visitors come? Does he ever growl or snarl at you or other humans? Is he jumping on the furniture? These and many other problems are symptoms of a much larger problem: Who is the leader of the pack at your home?
In our grandparents’ day, trainers hardly saw behavior problems and special canine behaviorists for aggression problems were unheard of. The dogs slept on the back porch, were tossed leftovers after the family ate, were not allowed in the NICER rooms of the house (thus limiting freedom and space guarding), and were required to work for their livings by guarding the property, tending to sheep or livestock, guarding the kids on the way to school etc.
Times have changed and our dogs are treated better in many ways. Veterinary care has improved, and dogs have become valued companions and members of the family. Because they are social pack animals, dogs prefer to be with the pack. Many owners, however, are also going overboard with their dogs. We have swung from one end of the pendulum to the other. Where in the old days dogs were required to work for a living and sleep on the back porch, people now spend hundreds on designer beds. Grooming salons now carry doggie “toenail polish” and perfume with the same brand name as human cologne. The dog is now fed special food regularly complete with tasty snacks just for existing and not because he earns his keep. There are videos made specifically for dog entertainment. Dogs don’t get a sliver of the exercise the dogs of our grandparents or great grandparents day did.
Dogs now spend most of their days lying around the house waiting for their owners to come home and entertain them. Because of this, professional dog trainer’s are needed more than ever before to solve the ever increasing canine behavior problems,(something I’m very grateful forJ). While many of these things are not bad in and of themselves, they are still examples of the changing attitude towards dogs in our society.
Dogs need to remain members of the human pack, but understand that they are lower status members then their human counterparts. Being a follower is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just a different position. Just like a ship needs a captain and also deckhands… a dog pack requires different positions. It’s important that we teach the dog his position in the family.
Below are some tips to help dog owners of today’s modern world organize a happy, healthy and harmonious relationship with their canine pack
- THE DOG MUST EARN EVERYTHING HE WANTS. This includes food, toys, petting, freedom, access in or outdoors, affection, playtime, etc. He must never be allowed to demand these things because after all, every thing in your house is yours. They are not his. He is no longer required to run for hours on end after sheep or hunt foxes, but he still needs to understand that his obedience earns his keep. This means he is required to sit, down, stay, or any other obedience command to get what he wants and needs in life.
- LEADERS EAT FIRST. In a pack of dogs, the dominant leader dog eats first. If the dog is not done eating after 10 minutes, pick up the food and take it away. A dominant dog knows that no one will eat the leader’s food, so he will walk away and come back to it later. Therefore you must pick up the bowl and feed him at the next scheduled
feeding. He will learn to eat when the food is put down.
- LEADERS CONTROL SPACE. If the dog bolts ahead of you through doorways, entryways or hallways, he is essentially leading the pack. The door should slam closed in front of him and you should stop his forward movement. Not only does this teach the dog to be conscious of where he is in relationship to doors, but also helps with dogs that like to bolt through doorways…something that can be quite dangerous for dogs in the city! Also, if the dog is lying in the middle of where you need to be, have him get up and yield rather then walking around him.
- LEADERS SLEEP IN PREFERRED AND ELEVATED SPACES. Higher pack members get the preferred sleeping spaces. If you absolutely MUST have your dog on the bed, at least teach him that he is not allowed up there unless specifically given a command to do so, and that if you tell him to get off, he is required to get off quickly and without protest. If the dog is aggressive or guards the bed, it is better to relegate him to the floor, or even to another room at bed time.
- LEADERS ARE CLEAR AND CONSISTENT. Do not constantly change the rules for your dog. If you tell him to do something, he is to do it on the FIRST and ONLY command. Teach him what you expect from him and then don’t change the rules.
- LEADERS ENFORCE OBEDIENCE. Practice several long down stays a week He will try to get up, but you should be consistent and patient and insist that he maintains his position. This does not mean to attack the dog if he gets up, but obedience train him. Once the dog is obedience trained, you must continue to enforce and reinforce the commands on a consistent basis.
- LEADERS GREET NEWCOMERS FIRST. When someone comes to the house, the dog is required to go lie down in a designated place or in his crate while YOU greet the visitor. After things are settled, THEN the dog can come out, sit and say hello.
- LEADERS CONTROL AND INITIATE BODY CONTACT. YOU decide what handling is appropriate (touch his paws or ears or tail) and how LONG you’re going to handle him. (This can be a touchy subject for adult dogs and you should confirm with a professional trainer that this step is appropriate for your dog). Leaders also initiate contact with other pack members. This means he is not allowed to come up and nudge you to feed or play with him. Ignore him until he gives up and THEN call him to you, require an obedience command, and reward him with what he wanted in the first place.
- LEADERS ALWAYS ENFORCE COMMANDS.Strong pack leaders never issue a command they are not ready and willing and able to enforce. If the dog learns that bypassing a command is an option, he learns you don’t really mean what you say.
By following the above protocol, you help your dog relax and feel a bit more comfortable that you are a strong, fair, and consistent leader who will not allow harm to come to him. He understands that you will take care of him and you help him understand that he does not need to take these responsibilities upon himself. Good dog owners make a pact with their dogs. They promise to provide everything the dog needs in life (food, play, love, affection, and strong leadership) and the dog promises to provide his loyalty, love, and obedience. It’s that simple.
If your dog is showing signs of aggressive behavior, please first speak with a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for implementation of any part of this program.
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