I don’t expect you thought that when you brought a dog into your home that you would have to become a pack leader. You probably just wanted a companion but your dog needs a strong leader. Unfortunately activities associated with the ‘companion’ role are completely opposite to those associated with the ‘leadership’ role. So if you are going to have a successful relationship with your dog you need to put the ‘companion’ role in the back seat and take up your responsibilities as a leader.Your dog will become insecure and attempt to assume the leadership role himself If you don’t. This can lead to a number of different behaviours mostly undesirable.
To stand a chance of becoming an effective leader you must see things as if from your dog’s eyes.There are three principles that you should follow to become an effective pack leader. This dog training guide explains three basic facts about how to be a good pack leader.
1 Manage your Dog’s Time
Make an agenda and stay with it.Routines are a dog’s best friend.Regularly use a crate to a schedule.The most effective and safest method of confinement is the crate.Your dog will be eager to go there and feels safe and secure. You should socialise your puppy to it immediately and continue to use it throughout his life according to the needs of his development stages.
It is your job to provide consistency in rules and structure and set and maintain boundaries. A fair leader allows room for expansion of boundaries as responsibility is proved.If bad behaviours return he is also not bothered about taking away liberties or tightening boundaries.
2 Direct Activities
You should have an activity plan that goes beyond ‘sit still and be quiet’ while your dog is outside his crate. Actively practice obedience commands so that he knows how to behave in your home.Your dog’s raison d’etre is praise, his whole world revolves around it.Running through obedience commands provides the chance to give your dog that praise and should be a major part of dog obedience training.
3 Be Consistent
Without consistency your dog will be confused and frustrated. Always use the same sequence of the same words every time you expect a certain action or behaviour.Similarly, the same pattern must be followed by everyone in your home.Make sure that when you have a bad, stressful day you do not take it out on your dog.You dog will get stressed out if you show stressful signs to you dog. Leaders need to remain in control of their emotions and must not behave in an erratic manner.
So there you have it – provided you are ready to take up the role of pack leader and all that it entails you will find that your dog becomes everything that you ever wanted including being a wonderful companion.
For more information on all aspects of dog training follow this link to my Dog Training Guide.