Becoming Top Dog
by Susan Engel, Certified Trainer

Dogs and Leadership

Dogs that are well-mannered and truly happy are dogs whose owners have provided them with a balanced environment where the dog clearly understands his role in the family and the dog clearly understands who is in charge. These dogs are not shy, anxious, bossy, fearful, insecure, bored, demanding or aggressive; they are inquisitive, joyous, confident, exuberant, curious, enthusiastic, calm and content. This type of dog is described as having a stable, balanced mind.

To create and nurture a stable, balanced mind you must provide your dog with the essential things that are natural to him as a species. It is when dogs are not given these essential things that behavior problems begin.

Understanding how your dog thinks and what he values will be the first step in setting forth a plan that will use his natural instincts and abilities to help him learn quickly and to help you to solve and prevent behavior problems. Every dog can be well-mannered without exception, but remember:
Dogs are not born well-mannered… they are raised and trained to be well-mannered.

 

What Dogs Really Value May Surprise You

Most behavior issues can be traced back to an imbalance of the three items below. Unfortunately, many dogs of today are overindulged/spoiled, under exercised & living w/o adequate leadership. But it’s never too late to change!

• Affection: Of the three, affection is last on the list. Affection is an important part of a dog’s social interaction, however, dogs view over-affectionate pack members as weak and will target them with rough play and treat them like playmates. Affection without a balance of leadership creates behavior problems.
  A dog’s natural instinct indicates playmates hold no power and do not need to be obeyed.
  

• Exercise: Of the three, exercise is second on the list. Adequate exercise for the breed of dog you have is critical to their physical and mental well being. Dogs were bred purposely for specific characteristics. One of the characteristics many dogs possess is the natural ability to be active for many hours because this was essential to the job they were bred to do. For these breeds, several intense exercise sessions per day may be needed. Many behavior problems like assertive play biting, jumping, digging and chewing all can be a result of boredom and frustration because they are not getting the exercise they require. Inadequate exercise creates behavior problems. Note: For most high energy dogs taking a walk on a leash is not adequate exercise.
  A dog’s natural ability for exercise is hard-wired into the genes of the breed.
  

• Leadership: Of the three, leadership is first on the list. Because leadership is so critical to raising a well-manner, balanced dog we have dedicated the next several pages to explaining why it is important and how you can become a calm, consistent and fair leader in your dog’s eyes.
  A dog’s natural instinct is to expect to obey all those they consider to be leaders
  

What is a Leader?

A leader is encouraging, patient and confident. A leader understands what is
age-appropriate for their dogs. A leader teaches the desired behaviors and
calmly enforces them. A leader is above all calm, consistent and fair.

A leader is not emotional, harsh, confrontational, overbearing, unfair, frustrated, inconsistent or intimidating.

Dogs will know a leader when they are in the presence of one, they can sense it. Dogs will sense a calmness in this person’s body language that is familiar. Dogs will sense a belonging with this person. Dogs will sense their place with this person. Dogs will sense a security with this person. Dogs will be drawn to this person and will be best behaved with this person because they feel most balanced with this person.
A dog’ natural instinct is to find the leader among the group and to follow that leader.