Introduction to dog dominance behavior

People frequently ask how a dog behavior specialist and dog obedience trainer relates to dogs and earns their respect and control. . . and especially that of the Dominant Dog. The first part of that answer is simple, but for many people it is difficult to internalize and act: In order to associate with a dog, you must first see it and treat it completely like a DOG.

Before you can deal with a dog mastery problem at home or in dog obedience training, you must recognize that dog behavior and communication are not in line with human psychology. After all, your dog is a canine (canis familiaris of the Canidae family), no homo sapiens. So think like a canine, not like a person. Your dog responds as he would in a wolf pack, not as a member of the human family. He or she has real emotions, but they are canine emotions, not human emotions, and should not be confused as such.

The basic communication system of dogs involves three critical elements: silence, submission and leadership, sometimes referred to generally as the dog whisper technique with communication elements of the wolf pack. We will use these elements in this article and in subsequent dog training articles on solving dog dominance problems. You and I must understand, “read,” and use your dog’s own communication system for optimal efficiency when working with him.

Dogs have a “psychology pack” that governs your thoughts and actions. In a pack, there is one dominant and the rest are all followers. There is an “alpha male” and an “alpha female”. To relate to a dog from a position of strength, respect and control, YOU must be the “Alpha Leader”, the “Leader of the Pack”, and you must use pack psychology and communication.

We often see dominant dogs brought home as puppies, because people are amused by their energetic demeanor. In fact, they are usually the first puppies chosen, the proverbial “pick of the litter”. However, if this “lively nature” is not controlled, things will quickly spiral out of control. . . getting worse over time. . . until the situation sometimes becomes dangerous. Domination can lead to “violence.”

Therefore, you can search for a mature dog, such as a shelter dog or a rescue dog. However, searching for a less dominant pet is not that easy in shelters. There, the true nature of a dog is difficult to discern without the help of an experienced person. While in the shelter, the dog rarely has an area or something that is under the dog’s control, so there are few opportunities to observe possessiveness and dominance issues.

Nor can dogs locked in shelters burn excess energy. It is very difficult for an inexperienced eye to differentiate between an excited “Please take me home” and the most annoying “I want to control you!” of the overactive dominant canine.

But the dominance problem quickly becomes apparent when you go home and relax, for the domain appears where the “weakness” is present. For example, petting your dog when he is submissive (for example, sitting or lying down) is appropriate and desirable, but not when he is in an aggressive or dominant posture. If you show any signs of mild laxity at the wrong time due to your affection, your dog will interpret it as weakness. . . and then, “Katie close the door!” With dominant types, you just can’t afford to let your guard down or make an exception “just this once” because the pup is so cute.

You must establish and maintain firm and constant control of the Dominant Dog at all times. These striking and energetic animals are highly intelligent and have great potential, but they are also often born leaders, very stubborn and stubborn who seek to control you, other animals, and their environment. They want to rule the chicken coop! You can’t give them an inch. . . Or they’ll take it and take it and take it . . Again and again, again and again. These dogs are persistent!

For example, a friend had an Old English Sheepdog puppy, an “alpha female” about eight months old, who had a very bad reaction to a toxic flea bath in the 1970s. When the puppy started shaking, they startled The owners lifted their beloved to the foot of the bed, both for her comfort and to ease their own backs while they breastfed her.

ERROR! That incident prompted that puppy and his littermate to crawl into bed whenever possible. . . A pattern that owners never managed to finish for the rest of the dogs’ lives!

Too many owners simply pamper two- and three-month-old “babies” and think that puppy training may start later. NOT! The intelligent and energetic, especially, must be “trained” from day one with consistency, with you clearly as the Master. Due to their high intelligence, they are also prepared much earlier than others for more formal types of training. Training helps eliminate boredom and release energy, while giving the proud animal a fitting goal to strive for and an achievement to strut for with a stately, dignified, and proud bearing and the distinct satisfaction of pleasing.

“Don’t move with them, you will lose them!”

I, too, have had a difficult personal experience with an aggressive “Alpha puppy.” I brought home a beautiful “rescue dog”, a puppy from the Humane Society. She turned out to be the most stubborn and stubborn bitch I have ever seen, struggling to master all things! There is no way it would have lasted in a “normal” home. However, due to my sheer determination with proper and consistent training, she is turning into a loving, playful and obedient “sweetie” who, without losing courage or pride, submits to my orders with a mere glance. I am your undisputed “Leader of the Pack”.

Still, it was not easy to bring her to that state. Very frustrated, I eagerly sought the advice of two other experienced puppy trainers. That’s why I say to troubled owners of aggressive and dominant puppies and dogs: “Don’t be ashamed. This can happen to anyone! Never be ashamed to ask a dog trainer for help. “(Just make sure they really understand pack psychology.)

If you have a dog dominance problem, it is a specific technical training that will work for you, and that focuses on “FOCUS”. Applies the communication system of silence, submission and leadership, and it is a dog training technique that is effective with most dog dominance problems. [It’s much more effective and pleasant than hitting and yelling!]

So get help controlling dog dominance behavior and reestablish a correct relationship with your pet and peace and harmony in your home!