Facts

Training tips:

Establishing the Alpha role:

As humans it is our goal to try to get along as equals. We do our best to accommodate others close to us in hopes they will do the same for us enabling feelings of equality on both sides of the relationship.

However, when it comes to you, your family and your dog, it is very important for your dog to know his place within the household (or in his eyes, the pack). Keep in mind, your dogs instincts are pack oriented and to help understand your dog, you have to understand his instincts. Within each pack there is a hierarchy that is much like a dictatorship with very little equality; knowing their place within the pack is vital for a harmonious environment.

In order for your dog to look at your family as his pack and you the pack leader, you have to establish your place in his mind. If your dog does not see you or a member of the household as the alpha, your dog will assume that role and try to govern and administer discipline the only way they know how.

Once you have established the alpha role your dog will then look to you to be educated as to the hierarchy of the rest of the pack. If you do not make this clear, your dog will try to determine the ranking by themselves.

It is my belief that the number one reason children, spouses or owners get bit by the family dog is because the alpha did a poor job of educating the dog of its place in the pack. Unfortunately, when this happens the dog is usually the one who suffers the consequences. Even if you are not the alpha you can help establish your place by occasionally performing the following steps as well.

So, how do we make this happen? This can be done very easily in a couple of ways, it isn’t difficult and it doesn't’t involve becoming physical with you companion. However, it does involve time, patience and consistency especially if you are working with a dog that has had an unpleasant past.

Regardless of your dog’s age, from the very first moment you are together it is important to establish in their mind that you are the giver of all good things. From the very first meal you serve your puppy or older dog allow your dog to eat a small portion of the food from your hand before eating from their dish. Repeating this before each meal for the first week or two will significantly increase their feelings of dependency and help establish your place in the relationship.

Also, from the moment you are together, every time your new companion does something you want them to, regardless of how insignificant it will become in a couple later, reward them. In the beginning of the relationship, treats are good as it is an easy association with you and something good. But be careful, too much for too long is not good either. Begin to exchange the treats for attention and praise soon after you see your dog has developed the association of a treat for a particular behavior. Remember, their number one desire is to please their pack leader, the expected reward for pleasing should be acknowledgement and praise; not treats. It should be your commitment as a pet owner to fulfill their need for acknowledgement and praise.

When it comes to your family, especially your children, it is vital that your dog knows his ranking in the family falls below the children. This too can be established with some very easy steps. First, when its dinner time, kennel your dog within view of your dining area so they know its dinner time. Then immediately following dinner, serve your dog dinner. Members ranking higher in the pack eat first. In time it will not be necessary to kennel your dog as with consistency, your dog will catch on quickly.

When your dog is accompanying you and your children, even if it is as simple as going in and out of the house, leash your dog and allow your children to walk ahead. If your dog attempts to walk ahead, make certain they know it is your intention to make them wait and make them walk at a controlled pace.

Lastly, controlling your dogs feeding time and the amount will help send the message that you are in control and life is regulated by your allowances. Remember, knowing its place in the pack will actually comfort your dog and make for a more calm and relaxed companion. Just like in our own lives, uncertainty brings uneasy stress and in a dog’s life, uneasy stress usually leads to bad behavior.

Remember, your dog will look at your family as the pack and you as the pack leader, it is vital that your dog know that they are on the bottom of the family totem pole.