It is easier to get things done when there are guidelines to follow. The same goes for our dogs. They appreciate knowing where the boundaries are, and in fact are less stressed when they have a leader to follow. Dogs are pack animals. Your dog’s pack consists of you and your family. Each member of the pack has their own place in the hierarchy, with the alpha at the head. It’s important that you establish yourself as the alpha member in your pack. Dogs are happier and less stressed when they have a leader to follow. Many behavioral problems that occur in dogs are due to the
lack of a strong leader. Problems also occur when a dog is taken from his litter too early and then not properly socialized during puppyhood. Th ese dogs often don’t understand doggie communication, and can have issues with leadership as adults.
Many people are hesitant to be assertive with their rescue dog
because they feel that he has had a rough life, and they should be
gentle with him. Th ey are reluctant to be fi rm, because they don’t
want to stress him. Th e truth is, your dog wants guidance. He
wants to know that you’re his leader, it helps him feel secure.
Establishing Yourself as Pack Leader
If you don’t adopt the role of your dog’s pack leader, you’ll fi nd
that he will take over that position for himself. Th is can lead to
behavioral problems such as aggression, and also higher levels of
anxiety.
Being pack leader doesn’t mean you have to be loud and harsh to
your dog. It means being fair, even tempered and consistent. It is
a leader’s job to set your dog’s boundaries, protect your pack and
control resources like food and toys.
When you bring home a rescue dog, you must start as you mean
to go on. Although you can expect a few teething problems, don’t
make allowances for the fact he’s new to your family. Start teaching
him straight away what the rules are. Use positive training
methods, and repeat your training sessions regularly, and he’ll
quickly learn what he can and can’t do.
You can set physical boundaries, such as having certain rooms that
your dog isn’t allowed in, or not permitting him into your kitchen.
You can also set mental rules, such as teaching him that he’s
not allowed to bark for attention. Both are an important part of
teaching your dog where he fi ts in to your pack.Alpha Exercises
Th ere is a school of thought that suggests that bad behavior in
our dogs is due to them trying to dominate us. Some dog owners
believe that to be an eff ective leader, you have to show dominance
over your dog with techniques such as the “alpha roll”. To do an
alpha roll, you physically force your dog onto his back and hold
him there until he relaxes. Other alpha exercises include scruffing and shaking your dog,
growling at your dog, or forcing him onto his side and not letting
him get up.
Many people believe that when your dog relaxes in an alpha roll,
it indicates that he has submitted to you, and recognizes you as
leader. Th is dominance theory is no longer accepted by many
professionals. In fact, techniques such as the alpha roll may actually
lead to your dog being aggressive towards you because he is
frightened.The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior suggests that
dogs don’t behave badly because they are trying to dominate their
owners. Instead they feel that dogs are naughty for two reasons.
Firstly, they haven’t been consistently taught right from wrong,
and secondly, they are afraid or anxious and that leads to bad
behavior such as aggression. Research has shown that if you are
aggressive to your dog, he is more likely to be aggressive.
There’s no need to perform alpha exercises on your dog. Th ey are
scary, they don’t teach your dog anything and they may result in
you getting bitten.
Teaching Your Dog Who Is In Charge
There are many ways that you can show your dog that you are in
charge, and they don’t involve getting physical with him, or causing
him any fear at all. You’ll end up with a better mannered dog,
and a much more enjoyable relationship with him. After all, who
wants to have their dog afraid of them?
• You must eat your food before your dog has his meal. Pack
leaders eat fi rst.
• You must go through a doorway before your dog does. Teach
him to sit and wait, and not to follow you until he’s told to.
• If your dog is lying in the way, don’t step over him, ask him to
move. After all, you are the leader.
• Teach your dog to sit and wait for his meal, and not to eat until
you give him the command. Pack leaders control access to resources
such as food. • Until your dog recognizes you as leader, don’t invite him to sit
on the couch with you, or to sleep on your bed. When he fully
understands that you are in charge, you can then invite him to
join you if you wish.
• Don’t reward your dog for jumping up, or other attention seeking
behavior. Ask him to sit politely, and only then does he get a
pat.
• Train your dog in basic obedience, and expect him to do as you
ask him, when you ask him. Regular training will reinforce your
position in the pack.
As you can imagine, these methods take more time and eff ort than
physically scruffing your dog and rolling him on his back. However,
they are more eff ective in showing your dog that you’re in
charge, and will result in your dog respecting you instead of fearing
you.
There is a training method called “Nothing in life is free”. Basically,
this means that anything your dog wants, he has to earn. He
wants to play? That’s fine, but he has to sit before you throw the
ball. He wants to eat? No worries, but don’t give one piece of
food until he’s performed a sit-stay exercise.
It’s not hard to show your dog that you’re his pack leader, and
you can do it without causing him any anxiety or fear. He will
feel happier and more secure, knowing he has a leader that he can
respect.
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