Perfect Pet: How To Be Pack Leader
Why is it important to be the pack leader?
Being the pack leader to your dog is one of the most important things you can do for him. It is the basis of your relationship with him and is the
force behind everything
you do with him. This is in no way an exaggeration. Just about all
misbehavior's
that dogs display
can
be traced down to two route
causes. Those two route causes are the
lack of
sufficient exercise and the lack of pack leadership.Being the pack leader for your dog is never as important as it is when you are trying to train him. If you try to train a dog that does not see you as pack leader you will be fighting an uphill battle. If he does not see you as his pack leader he will not be willing to obey your commands. The respect that dogs have for their pack leader in the wild is undeniable. He wants and needs to have that same respect for you. This is what is natural for him and it is what makes him feel safe and secure.
The pack and the pack leader show certain behaviors in the wild that you can duplicate in your home. Following this example of dog behavior will not only assure that your dog sees you as pack leader but that is what will make him feel loved and it is what he expects.
How do I make sure my dog sees me as his pack leader?
You never need to use harsh punishments to show your dog that you are the pack leader. Just show him that is your roll in little everyday ways.
What steps can I take to become the pack leader?
1. The pack Leader always goes first
Walk through all narrow walkways first go up stairs first, go out doors first. Remember the pack leader always goes first. Before going in or out of a door make him sit, go out or in, then give him his release word telling him it is okay for him to go
through the door.
If he goes out ahead of you make him come back and
sit and
wait for you to go out. Until he is completely trained he needs to be kept on a leash.If he is not on a leash you have no control.2. Pack leader is in charge of the food
The way a dogs see things the pack leader is always in charge of the food. The pack leader always eats first and eats as much as he wants. Do not free feed your dog. He needs to see that his food comes from you. You don't want him to think that it just miraculously appears in his bowl or worse yet it appears there because of any thing he has done. Give him one to two meals a day. When you are about to feed him, fix his food and set it aside. Go ahead and eat your meal. Then when you are done go ahead make him sit and stay then give him his release word then let him have his dish of food. Remember the pack leader always eats first. If there is someone in the family that the dog does not respect let that person feed him. Have him follow the same steps that you do when feeding him. In the pecking order the dog needs to be at the bottom with the whole family above him, including the children. If he sees himself at the bottom he will be much more compliant to commands and be much better behaved.
3. Don't walk around him
If he is laying in the middle of the hallway or a doorway, do not walk around him. Make him move. That is the way it works in the dogs natural environment If the pack leader wants to walk past and a subordinate pack member is in his way... the subordinate dog moves.
4. The pack leader always gets the prime places in the den
The pack leader always gets the most comfortable place to lay down If you insist that he sleep with you on the bed at least do not let him on it unless you invite him up. The best place for him to sleep is in his crate.read my article on How to get your dog to love his crate.
5. Make him come to you
Instead of going up to your dog to pet him. Call him and make him come to you when he least expects it, then when he comes reward him with a praise and a treat.
6. Do not let him tell you when it is time to play
All games that you play with your dog should be initiated by you and end when you have had enough and are ready to stop playing. Do not let him decide when it is playtime.
7. Make him Sit
Every time your dog wants something make him sit first then give him what he wants for his reward. If he does not sit walk away and ignore him. No sit, no reward.