Whether or not you agree with the idea that your dog views you as the pack leader (though, anyone who has owned more than one dog at a time has likely seen pack dynamics and knows that dogs view themselves as part of a pack, even if we, as humans, don’t), you still want to be your dog’s leader. Dogs as a species are loyal—they want to be led.
You have to be the alpha in the situation or your dog is going to act out. Of course, you want your dog to be your companion, but without taking a leadership role, you will find yourself to be a proud owner of a dog who is spoiled, difficult, and even aggressive.
Here’s what you need to know:
Praise your dog the right way
Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to give your dog praise. Your dog is a master of reading your body language and voice tone. He will be able to tell if you are only half-hearted in your praise. How do you make sure you are giving the right kind of praise? First of all, when you pet and pat your dog, do not be timid. Be boisterous with your praise, but also keep it quick and on your terms.
Reprimand your dog the right way
No one wants to work for a boss or perform for a parent that punishes liberally and praises rarely, if at all. Your dog is the same way. When he does something wrong, correct him quickly, in the moment, and then let it go. The worst thing you can do for your dog is to hold a grudge.
Only give commands when you are able to correct him if he doesn’t follow them
For example, if your dog is off of his leash and he bolts away from you to meet another dog on the other side of the park, don’t yell, “Come back!” at him. You have no way to correct him in the moment if he doesn’t follow your order. He’ll hear it, he’ll still likely do what he is doing, and he’ll start to get an inkling that there are no consequences for misbehaving. Once you are accepted as his leader, he’ll follow your instructions—before that time, try not to put you and your dog in situations where you cannot correct him if he does not follow your command.
Give him permission to do things
Many owners train their dog to wait to do something until they say, “Okay.” This is a great way to establish yourself as the leader and to be a good leader for your dog. Not only will this type of dog training prevent your dog from doing anything dangerous (like eating something he finds on the street), it will also ensure that he sees you as the leader of the pack and will always wait until he is given permission before doing something.
Be the top dog
In typical pack structure, the pack leader is not just the leader, he’s also a playmate and father. He’s tough, but he also loves his pack. He doesn’t get angry. He’s fair with his pack members. Dogs understand this and acting this way will make sure that you are a great leader in your pack, even if you are the only two members of that pack.
Remember, the goal is to enjoy living life with your best friend!
