LEADERSHIP 101

Who’s in charge…and where do I fit in?

Dogs are social animals whose survival depends on a complex hierarchy of power. Strong leadership is at the top. It’s important for us to become clear leaders so that we can insure that they remain out of harms way and stay as safe as possible. In the absence of clear leadership, dogs will instinctually default to their own set of rules making coexisting impossible.

At around 3 weeks, puppies start to understand where they fit in. They question the rules and decide who is in charge. By 5 weeks they are wrestling with their brothers and sisters determining their status among the pack. The time will come when they will leave their litter mates and join a family pack. The pack may consist of only one owner or multiple family members with or without other family pets. The question though will always continue to be asked… Who’s in charge, and where do I fit in?

How do you know when you’re showing good leadership?

First thing to understand is that Leadership is not a position, but an action. Too be a good leader means that you have a unchallenged ownership to all of your dogs resources, especially in times of excitement. Would your dog give way to your direction in a conflict? If the answer is Yes, then indeed, you are showing good leadership.

How do you become a good leader?

To become a good leader it is important that you control the resources your dog believes are important to him and his survival. Some examples are food, water, bedding, attention and toys, but just about anything can be considered a resource if it is important to him. Possession is 9/10th’s of the law in the canine world. “If I have it, then it’s mine”! In a well-balanced pack, a dog won’t take from another dog unless he has surrendered. Teach your dog that voluntarily giving up something is a good thing and can be quite profitable. Try swapping with something he considers more valuable like a yummy treat or toy. Never force your dog to surrender something unless you believe he is in harms way and in danger of getting hurt. Forcing him to give in to your demands can result in a loss of respect and possibly damage your relationship. Set a clear understanding of the rules you set. Work with him only when you can give him 100% of your attention so that he will succeed.

Most unwanted behaviors are the result of a miscommunication. So try making your message as clear as possible, and be consistent. It’s very difficult for animals to understand words when they communicate largely with body language. Practice patience, and don’t work when you are feeling frustrated or becoming angry. This will only cause damage to your relationship and result in a loss of respect.