ARE YOU A PACK LEADER ?? Guidelines to Establishing Leadership
from the behavioral guide "Because A Good Dog Is Good To Have"
- Move as if the dog isn't there. Go from point A to B in the most direct path regardless of the dog. In other words, pretend he doesn't exist. Walk through him if need be.
- Don't allow your dog to take prime spots in the household. When you are watching TV and get up to get yourself a drink does your dog take your spot? Why? Does the dog really need the best TV watching seat and the reading light or is he taking it because he thinks you value it? A human version is calling out "shot gun!" to see who will get the status of sitting in the front car seat.
- Don't allow your dog to control your movements. The next time your dog is near by, take a look at where he is. Is he blocking a doorway, controlling access to the stairs or blocking you from moving forward? This is all normal and healthy behavior for a dog, but it is dominant behavior. It is not normal, healthy dog behavior for you to adjust your movements for your dog.
- Never feed your dog before you eat. Never feed your dog before or while you eat or handle food like items including cleaning dishes or dealing with leftovers. Rank is sorted out over food. In a dog pack high ranking individuals eat first. Low ranking individuals eat last. To a dog food isn't just about hunger, food equals status. A dog trying to establish dominance is very likely to try to eat first whether he is hungry or not.
- Ignore or discourage all demands for attention. A pack leader can demand attention from subordinates anytime he pleases. Go to your dog to give affection and attention, discourage any pawing, nudging and whining.
- Never allow jumping. Jumping is one of the ways dogs show their dominance over others. See the section on Jumping.
- Don't respond to the dog's initiatives and requests. Responding to directives is basically following orders. Barking to go outside, getting treats on demand and even picky eating is the perfect way to direct attention upon on yourself if you can an owner or two to play into it.
- Never allow the dog to lean against you, push you or check you. All of which are ways dogs establish dominance. If a dog does any of the above then push the dog off, but do little else to acknowledge him.
- When the opportunity arises maintain eye relaxed friendly eye contact. Eye contact is one of the ways dominance is established. Keep a pleasant, relaxed demeanor to show that leadership from you will always be a good thing. Think of it as a warm exchange.
- Try not to pay attention while your dog eats. Food (and, as already mentioned, attention) equals status. Watching your dog eat can be an acknowledgement that he is higher ranking then you.
- Obedience can be an additional way for a dog owner to show dominance. A properly designed obedience program has the owner positioned in the leadership role in very natural, normal dog like ways. Commands like sit, lay down, stay and heel mimic the actions a dog would be expected to do as submissive postures to a more dominant dog.
For more step by step educational support material on learning to establish pack leadership, please visit the Cesar Millan web site.
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