5 Surefire Ways to Show Your Dog You?re The Boss

You Must Be The Alpha Dog

First, let's take a look at what a "pack mentality" means. Dogs are born into packs ? in the wild, packs are the essential social order. Unlike humans, who use a variety of political processes to determine leadership and rank, dogs sort out their social order by dominance and power. In a wolf pack, there is a Top Dog ? a clear leader who is the dominant, Alpha male. He's the Big Dog, with pride of place at the dinner table (well, if wolves had a dinner table!), first in mating, first in decision making for the pack.

Whether you realize it or not, your dog views your household as his own personal wolf pack. The pack mentality is so engrained in your dog's psyche that he will either view you as a leader - or a follower - depending on your actions. If you are to have a well-trained dog, you must establish that you are the leader, and he is the follower. Your dog has to know in his heart that you are the Alpha Dog, the Head Honcho, the Big Dog, the Top Dog ? call it whatever you want, but your dog needs to know you're in charge.

Dogs are a little like children in one respect ? they're looking for someone else to be the leader ? they want rules and regulations because that makes their role in the pack more clear-cut and understandable. It's scary being the leader ? if you're not up to it, your dog may assume the role ? because someone has to be in charge!

If that's what's happened at your house, you need to re-establish your position as the Top Dog, or "Leader of the Pack." But here's an important note: being the leader of the pack has absolutely nothing to do with harsh punishment. It has everything to do with consistency and setting limits.

A simple rule to remember (and one people have great difficulty keeping in mind) is that you are the leader, not your dog.

1. You Go Through The Door First Even something as straightforward as who walks through the door first can reinforce your position as "dominant dog." Leaders lead. Followers follow. If you allow your dog to charge through the door ahead of you, he perceives that as asserting his dominance over you. Put your dog on the leash, and make sure you're the first one through the door.

2. You Eat Before Your Dog Who gets fed first in your house ? you or your dog? In a wolf pack, the leader eats first, and when he is done, the rest of the pack can dine. Do you feed your dog first because he pesters you when you're cooking your dinner, and it's simply more convenient to have him quiet and out of the way when you're eating?

Food is a powerful motivator that can be used to clearly demonstrate who is the ruler of the roost at your house. In no way, shape or form am I suggesting that you withhold food from your dog ? that's cruel and unusual punishment any way you look at it. What I am suggesting is that you control the timing of the food ? you should eat first, your dog second, after you're done with your meal.

3. Don't Walk Around Your Dog

Does your dog lie on the floor and expect you to walk around him? In the wild, dominant dogs lie wherever they want, and dogs lower in the social order go around so they don't disturb the Big Dog. If you walk around your dog, he will assume this to be an act of submission on your part; therefore he must be the leader, not you.

If your dog is lying in the middle of the hallway, or right in front of your easy chair, make him move. If he's on the couch and you want to lie down, make him move. Don't step over him. Just gently nudge him and make him get out of your way. You're the Big Dog, remember?

4. You Determine When Your Dog Gets Attention

Even asking for attention or affection can be seen as an act of dominance from your dog's point of view. Dogs that demand attention are asserting dominance, so if your dog gets pushy, ignore him. When you're ready to give him attention or affection or pet or play with him, ask him to sit first. Don't run after him just so you can pet him. Make him come to you when you're ready to give him attention, or play with him. And when you play with a toy, make sure that you end up with possession of the toy, and then put the toy away when you're done. (Note: I'm not talking about his favorite toys that you leave in his crate. I'm talking about play toys that the two of you use for games.)

5. Don't Let Your Dog Sleep In Your Bed

This is a tough one for a lot of people, but when you let your dog share your bed, at best you're making him an equal to you. He should have his own bed, either a dog pad or his crate that he feels comfortable in ? you can even put the dog pad next to your bed if that makes both of you happier ? but don't let him take over the sleeping arrangements. Before you know it, he'll be trying to make you sleep on the floor!

Again, reinforcing or retraining your dog to recognize you as the Head Honcho has absolutely nothing to do with harsh discipline. These are changes you can make that will change the way your dog thinks about you. And making even small changes like these can have an enormous impact on the way your dog views the social hierarchy in your home ? all without a harsh word being spoken!

Charlie Lafave, author, "Dog Training Secrets!" To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj

---

How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy

Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More

Is Your Dog Fat?

Obesity is one of the greatest health concerns facing dogs.... Read More

How to Deal With a Noisy Dog - Curing Uwanted and Excessive Barking

Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More

West Highland White Terrier - Westie Grooming

Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More

Your Dog and the Dentist: Learn the Drill

While "late is better than never," sooner is better than... Read More

How To Get Your Pet To Strike The Pose: Tips For Photographing Your Pet

If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More

The Truth About Declawing

There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats... Read More

West Highland WhiteTerrier Grooming - Key Considerations

Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More

The Need for Pet First Aid Kits

Even if you have the perfect first aid kit for... Read More

Arthritis Pain Relief For Dogs ? Simple Home Remedies That Work

Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More

Small Dogs - Different Breeds, Different Personalities

Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More

The Dreaded Vet Visit: 5 Ways to Comfort Your Dog

Uh-oh, it's that time again. The dreaded vet visit, and... Read More

Crate Training Dogs: The Right Way and the Wrong Way - Part One

Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More

Pet Ear Infections

Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More

The Artful Dog Shopper

I am a dog lover by nature. I have just... Read More

Flea Control for Pets

Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More

7 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween

... Read More

Hamsters Make Cute and Adorable Pets

Hamsters are soft, furry and small. They make wonderful pets... Read More

The Humble Hamster: A Great First Pet for Your Child

Thinking of getting a pet for your little ones? How... Read More

Feral Cats - Societys Problem Children

There is a lot of talk going on about what... Read More

Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills?

Over the past 30 years we have learned so much... Read More

Ten Most Popular Goldfish

You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More

The Myth of 100% Complete Processed Pet Foods

Every day, people by the millions pour food from a... Read More

West Highland White Terriers - Make Your Westie Famous

The West Highland White Terrier or Westie, has it's origin,... Read More

Dog doors ? dog and owner reprieve

Buying dog doors onlineIf you need to buy a dog... Read More

Wisdom... Wolves!

Wolves are magnificent and majestic creatures that have shared this... Read More

Games You Can Play With Your Dog

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More

Is He Chasing His Tail? What You Always Wanted To Know About Fleas

My dog has fleas. That one statement is enough to... Read More

DOG ID TAGS-Identify and Protect Your Dog With Any of These Methods

The American Humane Society estimated that last year alone; fifteen... Read More

Three Important Litter Box Considerations

There are three important litter box considerations to account for... Read More

Dogs - Mans Best Friend

Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More

Westies Dogs and Your Children

Almost without exception, breeders will advertise that their favorite terrier,... Read More

Introducing a Cat to Your Children

Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More