You must be the leader of pack to get dog to obey
WHEN Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans thousands of pet dogs were left behind in the evacuation.
They weren’t feral dogs or strays, these were family pets with no experience whatsoever of fending for themselves.
Within days they formed into packs, selected leaders and followed them to food and safety.
How did pet dogs raised in family homes know what to do?
It wasn’t rational thinking it was instinct. The stronger the pack the greater their security.
The strength of the pack is determined by the consistency with which pack rules are enforced.
Dogs will only take instructions from those above them in the hierarchy.
So how does your dog determine the pack hierarchy in your home?
Six hundred boys attended my school and we all knew who could fight who.
Not because we had a mass brawl, the pecking order was determined every minute of every day in classrooms, corridors, playgrounds, toilets and dining rooms.
If another boy took your lunch he moved up the pack order and you moved down.
If you took back your lunch and he walked away you moved up and he moved down.
That’s exactly the way it works with dogs.
When you give your dog a known command and he ignores you it’s game on. If he gets away with it he moves up and you move down.
In order to influence your dog’s behaviour you must be above him in the pack hierarchy or he will only listen to you when it suits him.
Permitting dogs onto furniture emphasises their importance in the pack. If you want to pet your dog don’t invite him to join you on the sofa; let him sit by your chair on the floor.
Allowing your dog into the bedroom sends a very powerful signal that he/ she is right at the top of the tree.
No leader worth his salt would allow any but his chosen mate into the sleeping area.
Allowing dogs into the bedroom is a sure way to encourage dominant behaviour leading to aggression.
Dogs are absolutely flawless in their reading of other animals and that includes you.
He/she will read every minor shift in your mood and react accordingly.
If you approach another dog anticipating trouble your dog will know and give you the trouble you’re dreading.
He/she is simply reacting to the clues you’re giving. If you only `try’ to be more assertive with your dog he’ll read your uncertainty and ignore your efforts.
Pack Leaders don’t `try’ to do something they do it. No means no and a pack leader’s rule is absolute. There are no grey areas.
Dogs like consistency and having a strong pack leader creates a relaxed pack as all the other dogs know exactly what rules to follow.
A weak pack means insecurity leading to nervousness, disobedience and aggression. `
A word of warning: Shouting and loosing your temper is not leadership. Showing anger or frustration only destabilises dogs.
Stay calm and assertive until you achieve your goal.
Dogs do not follow unstable leaders, (only humans do that).