Dog Training Guide – You Have To Be A Good Pack Leader

I don’t expect you thought that when you brought a dog into your home that you would have to become a pack leader.   You probably just wanted a companion but your dog needs a strong leader.As you might expect, things to do with the ‘companion’ role have nothing in common with those associated with the ‘leadership’ role.   So if you are going to have a successful relationship with your dog you need to put the ‘companion’ role in the back seat and take up your responsibilities as a leader.   If you don’t your dog will become insecure and attempt to assume the leadership role himself.Unwanted and undesirable behaviours will be the result of this.

To become an effective leader you have to view things from your dog’s point of view.   To be an effective leader there are three principles that every dog owner should follow. This dog training guide explains three basic facts about how to be a good pack leader.

1 Manage your Dog’s Time

Create a schedule and stick to it.Dogs need to have a routine.Regularly use a crate to a schedule.The most effective and safest method of confinement is the crate.   Your dog feels secure and safe there and will look forward to going there.You should get your puppy used to it as soon as possible and carry on using it all through his life according to his particular stage of development.

You must maintain boundaries and provide consistent rules and a structure to his life.   A fair leader allows room for expansion of boundaries as responsibility is proved.   He is also not worried about removing liberties or tightening boundaries if disrespectful behaviours return.

2 Direct Activities

When you dog is out of his crate you should have an activity plan available which is not just ’sit and be quiet’.   Actively practice obedience commands so that he knows how to behave in your home.Your dog’s raison d’etre is praise, his whole world revolves around it.Part of all dog training schedules is the opportunity to offer him that praise when practising obedience commands.

3 Be Consistent

Without consistency your dog will be confused and frustrated.Always use the same sequence of command words every time that you require a certain behaviour or action.   Similarly, every person in your home must follow the same pattern.   We all have bad stressful days so make sure that you do not take the stress out on your dog.   Stressful outbursts from you will result in stressful behaviours from your dog.Leaders do not act in an inconsistent manner they remain in control of their feelings.

So there you are – be ready to take up the reigns of pack leader and everything that imples and you will end up with not just a dog but your best friend which is what you were looking for from the start wasn’t it.

For more information on all aspects of dog training follow this link to my Dog Training Guide.