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How to be a leader to your fuzzy family member.
By Renée Lamoureux
The idea of your dog receiving nothing in life for free is not a new concept, nor one that can only be used on specific behavior issues. All dogs have the genetic background of work that survives today. The job description for any dog may include having to guard the family, protect the flock, move the sheep, sit on a lap, or be a constant companion to the family. In today’s world the role of the family pet changes every day. With that change, the average pet owner needs to know how to keep their dog’s role as the family dog in perspective. This program, along with training, has shown positive changes in behavior. Some of those changes can be very subtle and others quite extreme. The shy, timid dog will understand that he doesn’t need to be in charge and will relax as he assumes his place in the pack. The dog “president” of the family will learn that this position isn’t the best position for him and learn to look to the owners as pack leader. Even if your dog isn’t showing any of those behaviors we consider as “bad” and the dog thinks of as “fun”, this program will help put the natural order of things into perspective for owner and dog. Building a solid foundation with your dog is very important and this foundation is more easily made with a dog who knows where his place in the family is.
The basic idea of this program can be thought of in terms of what the dog needs most and in what order. Exercise, leadership and then earned attention is a good starting point. This program does not mean that you need to take time away from your dog or to be mean in any way. We want you, as the owner, to initiate the dog into exercise, work and play. Many owners in today’s fast paced, busy world have a hard time building an hour into their schedule. Imagine how much easier it would be to spend time with your dog if he had a clear, stress-free understanding of when to play, when to listen intently and when to just relax with you. The goal of this program is to have fun with your dog with out losing the perspective of who is in charge, who really owns all those tasty treats, who buys the fun tennis balls and who keeps a roof over the dog’s head. Instead of the dog coming up and nudging your hand for a marathon of belly rubs, the owner can tell the dog, “Not now, we’ll go for a walk in a moment. Sit and be calm while I finish what I am doing.” This makes more sense to the dog, garners more respect from the dog and will allow you and your dog to come to an understanding of who the leader is.
EXERCISE
Dogs need exercise in two forms: physical and mental. The physical exercise we give our dogs is easy. Taking them for a walk, playing fetch in a field, socializing with them at the dog park, running them up and down the stairs, having your dog join you in a jog around the neighborhood, taking them swimming and countless other things we do with our dogs is considered physical exercise. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, some need a bit more physical exercise then others. Also keep in mind that if you intend to do any sports or physical exercise with your dog, make sure they receive a statement of good health from your vet. We hope that when you chose your dog you considered the time and space you would need to burn the energy that is trapped in the average dog. On average let’s say that the normal pet dog needs at least one hour of good physical exercise a day. Now remember this exercise should be fun for both owner and dog. If it isn’t fun, for example, if your dog is dragging you down the street or you are afraid the dog would rather run away or chase the squirrels, then you already know why mental exercise is just as important, if not more so, then physical exercise.
Mental exercise helps the dog relieve stress and look to the owner for guidance and approval. What would happen if you made your dog earn or work for your time and resources? Your dog would have to think about what he can do for you in order to play fetch, eat his dinner, come in and out of doors, or go for a walk in the woods. When you tell your dog to heel, sit, down, come, these are all activities that challenge the dog mentally as well as physically. By combining both forms of exercise, in short increments throughout the day, it will be less challenging to find time to spend with your dog.
LEADERSHIP
Today’s owners have dogs for many different reasons. We see dogs used in the capacity as service dogs to handicapped owners, detection of narcotics, explosives, cancers, working on a farm, helping our police or armed forces, search and rescue, therapy work in hospitals or assisted living homes and many other official positions. They are also used for average people that need someone to spend time with, to boost their confidence, to help them push through a difficult time in life, as a status symbol and many other emotional voids that can be filled by a dog. No matter what your dog does for you, your dog needs leadership from the human in their life. Even children can become involved in helping your dog understand his role in the family. Left in a pack situation, the lower ranking dogs cannot demand attention of the leaders, they get their food last, they give their space and they look to the leaders to know how to handle new, and possibly scary, situations.
You are your dog’s leader. The more decisions you make for your dog the happier the dog will be. If you leave all the decision making to your timid dog it will stress the dog out because it doesn’t want that position, it isn’t natural for the dog. Leave the decision making to a dog that is more forward or dominant and it will stress the dog out not because of the leadership role but because his followers (the owners) are so inconsistent in their roles.
In practicing this leadership role you will have to pay attention to what your dog is doing in different environments and form new habits of obedience. Building blocks, such as giving a quick command and enforcing it before allowing the dog to receive what he wants, will help form structure that creates new behaviors and habit. If your dog demands attention while you are eating dinner or watching TV, have him go lie on his bed. It’s ok if you want your dog to join you on the couch while you watch a movie, but make sure the dog comes up by command and steps off by command as well. Making your dog yield space to you is also an easy change to make. Don’t walk over, around, or change your route because a dog is in the way. The owner should kindly shuffle through the dog, telling the dog to move. Make sure the dog waits in the car as you take out what you need and put a lead on your dog. Teach your dog that free run of the house is only gained by paying attention to you and what you ask of him.
Take a look at common occurrences such as having your dog wait at a door to go for a daily walk. If you have your dog sit to put the leash on, wait at the door until the human goes across the threshold first, have him sit again on the other side of the door while it is pulled shut, then go for a nice walk where your dog must walk on a loose leash, not bark at strangers and not chase squirrels. Mental and physical exercises are both accomplished in every day life, giving the owner control of what could be a stressful situation if your dog had his way.
In this leadership role you should not accept any mouthing or chewing from the dog. Give him a substitute toy as a reward for not chewing on you or the furniture. Also consider not tethering your dog up outside, or leaving him alone in a yard. A good leader provides the dog with exercise or training that will allow him to spend more time with you.
Being in complete control of the food given to your dog is the best change you can make and maintain. By feeding your dog two times a day, leaving the food down for only 15 minutes, and making him earn that food by sitting for, allows the dog to know that the owners supply and control the most important resource in the dog’s world.
Making these leadership changes and maintaining consistency, persistency and understanding of why you are taking the leadership role will help increase your bond with your dog. New habits, both your own and the dog’s, will grow quickly and you will soon realize that you have made these changes a way of life. You will notice that you are spending more quality, fun time with your dog that is less stressful.
WARM FUZZIES
Having your dog earn his keep does not mean you can’t give your dog as much attention, playtime and hugs as you want to. However, now that your dog has learned how to earn that attention, and has a better understanding as his role as DOG in the family, it will be easier for you to give the dog the attention you want.
There is no rule that says you can’t demand your dog’s attention! Go out and play with your dog and his favorite toy as long as you and the dog have energy...just make sure you initiate and stop the game. Sit on the floor and cuddle with your dog...you initiate and stop the cuddle session. Don’t be afraid to use treats or toys to help build healthy relationships and to build excitement for a new game. Just make sure the dog doesn’t think of you as their buffet of free tasty treats. For some dogs, hands on attention is the only important thing in their world. Find what motivates your dog to please you, and help them understand how to receive that motivation through good habits. Remember, it is alot easier to cuddle a dog that is physically and mentally tired.
The time you are now spending with your dog, because he is more relaxed and has faith in you as the leader, can be filled with teaching him new things like obedience, tricks or confidence building skills. Your once pushy dog will now assume a more relaxed attitude as well knowing he has a role and an ability to do a job. Your insecure dog will brighten at the prospect of enjoying structured time with you building confidence and social ability. Most of us have only begun to see all the many possible things that our dogs can do for us. Challenge yourself to be a strong leader for your dog so you can challenge your dog to be the perfect family member for you.
