How to be the leader of your pack

How to be the leader of your pack

Dogs are pack animals and relate to others within the structure of the pack. Dogs are a strongly social animal and will regard their human owner as a member of the pack, if you don't establish yourself as the leader then your dog will struggle with you for the leadership or "alpha" position. To train a dog effectively you need to assert this dominance and maintain it throughout all your interactions with the dog. Dogs respond very well to training when they understand their relationship to you, they understand concepts of domainance and submission.

There are many techniques you can use to help establish yourself as the alpha member of the pack. Your voice is an excellent way to project your strength and dominance. You will have noticed that a dominant dog at the park might have growled at another dog to gain its submission, use this technique asserting your authority with your voice. When giving praise to your dog, use a firm voice and only give praise when praise is due. When you are reprimanding your dog, assert your authority quickly and firmly. Remember to make your dog do the correct behaviour before letting them move onto to the next activity.

Set rules and boundaries for your dog, making sure the dog develops a sense that he/she needs your permission to do some activities. This is especially important with road training, you need to stop your dog at every road crossing, then give permission for your dog to cross. You can assert your authority by making your dog wait to get a sign from you, a look of approval or key word. This exercise is equally important in that it allows the dog to learn that some activites are denied and some are allowed and he/she must seek your permission. Always the same command for these activities so there is no misunderstanding.
If there is more than one dog in the house, you as the leader chooses the pecking order of the dogs. For example in our house the older dog is the above the younger newer arrival, and is feed first, and the younger dog has learnt to defer to the older dog.

Remember this might sound like tough love but actually your dog will be happier with this situation, where he/she knows its position in the pack and to look to its owner for authority. This makes the dog feel calmer and is easier to train and control. feel calmer and is easier to train and control.