BE YOUR DOG’S PACK LEADER

As a Dog Whisperer, I believe the key to ‘dog training’ is teaching people about dogs themselves, how to effectively communicate with their dogs and how to be pack leaders. Once these concepts have been grasped and moved from theory to practice it is the human who has received the training required to communicate in a manner thattheir dogs can understand. 

A PACK LEADER IS…

A Pack Leader is a person who uses calm, considered, patient, directive energyto direct their dog(s) and ifthe need arises, provides direction to other dogs that come into contact with their dog(s) by using this same energy.  When the unexpected occurs thePack Leader is in a position to have the presence of mind to react in a calm, positive, supportive manner.

A Pack Leader leads by winning the respect of their dog(s)by having the self-discipline, the awareness and actual ability to lead in a positive and consistent fashion. A true pack leader never assumes the position of leader simply for the sake of having power over another. They take the position of leader for the betterment of the entire pack.

A Pack Leader's strength is determined by their ability to be aware and in control of their emotions, while using patience, determination and persistence to lead by example. 

What is it that humans love so much about dogs? A dog's selfless nature. A true pack leader understands and is able to act from a self-less place of being rather than from a place of selfishness.

I believe that a Pack Leader's goal is to empower themselves and their dog to live a happy, healthy life.

What can you do to become a Pack Leader? Empower yourself. You know that saying 'knowledge is power'? Well it is true. 

Just because you don't know how to be a pack leader now does not mean that you don't havethe ability to be one - you just need some help to get there. The elation that you feel when you master your first calm, assertive direction to your dog is amazing. This experience infuses you with the confidence and motivation to do more. As you become more confident, your dog will pay more of the right kind of attention to you.

This process builds a stronger bond of trust between yourself and your canine companion. So start by understanding what Leadership really is.

LEADERSHIP IS…

Leadership is coaching and mentoring - leading by example from a calm, confident, firm, patient, fair and aware state of being. This is how well balanced dogs instruct each other - this is also how well balanced humans instruct each other!

If you observe a dog interacting with another dog (dogs who are psychologically well balanced dogs - not anxious, reactive, fearful etc.); the dogs rarely resort to intense physical or verbal communication to teach or correct another dog. Most of what occurs is posturing primarily conveyed through body language, although there may be verbalization at times. Have you ever watched dogs playing and observed what happens when one dog is too pushy with the other dog. The dog who objects to the pushy behaviour disengages from the play by calmly ceasing physical contact and turning their head away from the other dog…this is leading by example. Calm, patient instructive, but not dominating.

LEADERSHIP IS NOT… 

Leadership is not domination and has nothing to do with being an ‘Alpha’. Before we go any further it is very important to understand that the ‘alpha’ myth is false…please read this short article to gain a better understanding De-bunking The Alpha Dog Myth.

SO HOW CAN YOU BECOME A LEADER TO YOUR DOG?

The starting point, the very core of teaching a dog to be a good dog is not about habituating a dog to sit, stay or lie down. Teaching a dog to be a good dog starts with educating the human about the true nature and requirements of the dog. Dogs in their natural state are generally 'good'. It is when we humans break the cycle of normal social education of a dog by other dogs that we then need to take over the responsibility of teaching and socializing the dog. Without intention,many humans take away the dog's ability to fulfill themselves as a dog. This sets the stage for 'bad' dog behaviour. When the human understands the basic principles of how to fulfill the 'dog in the dog', the human is in a better position to enable the best in their dog and themselves.

STEP ONE - TRAIN YOURSELF

a)  Be aware of what and how you communicate;

b)  Have a basic understanding of how dogs communicate;

c)  Take the information from a) and b) and train yourself to be a better communicator.

To prepare you to successfully in navigate through a), b) and c) take a quick read of this article How Dogs Communicate and How Dogs Assign Respect

Now you are ready to lead by example while you coach and mentor your dog.

 

STEP TWO - MAKE SURE YOU PROVIDE YOUR DOG WITH FULL INSTRUCTIONS

The biggest mistake I see people make, one of the first things I teach my clients to be aware of…

a) Not controlling your own emotions;

b) Not engaging in a working, logical mode.
c) Engaging in emotive mode;
d) Not providing full direction. 
Providing comprehensive direction = attention, direction, correction and follow through;
e) Whinning and complaining
Don't whine and complain to your dog ('I wish you wouldn't do that', 'Oh, stop that' etc.). There is a vast difference between complaining and instructing!
f) Not stopping. 
If your dog is not behaving, not listening, stop what you are doing, don’t keep moving forward; stop and address - then continue.

Remember…

Most dogs, will instinctively know what they are being asked to do if they are communicated with & shown in the right way at the right time & provided with the right tools to navigate safely & confidently through situations.

STEP THREE - PROVIDE STRUCTURE, FRAMEWORKS and GATEWAYS for YOUR DOG

Providing rules are one of the keys to enabling a happy, healthy, well-balanced dog. Guiding your dog in the right manner, incorporating structure, including rules and boundaries is a fundamental part of fulfilling the role of Pack Leader and provides you with an opportunity to create a closer bond with your dog. So lets first understand what is meant by the terms ‘rules’ and ‘boundaries’…

Humans require structure in their lives - so do dogs. Dogs are evolved to work physcially and psychologically, much as humans are. In the absence of work, a hobby, something productive to focus on, a goal(s) to keep wits sharp and mind fulfilled a human becomes aimless, anxious, depressed...and so it is for a dog. 

Why do humans have so many rules and laws within their societies? To provide consistent, clear direction for the mass of humanity. Why is this necessary - well because most humans are not born leaders - they look to specific individuals to 'light and pave' the way. Well, just as with humans most dogs are not born leaders - they are by natural disposition followers. While some dogs are natural leaders, most are not and as such they look to their humans for leadership.

The way I see it a dog requires:

• An overarching structure in his/her life. Within that broad structure there should exist;
• A framework for each and every typical daily situation, i.e. 
• Entering and exiting a door, room, etc.
• The use of couches and beds;
• How to take treats;
• How to wait for food and respect others food;
• How to share toys and treats;
• How to get ready for a walk;
• How to great a human or another dog;
• How to play;
• etc.

And within each framework there must be a series of gateways (rules, boundaries and limitations) which the dog must work with and within, in order to gain access to the desired goal, i.e

• To exit from the house out the door and into the backyard...
• The dog must go through a series of steps - psychological and physical to 'ask' permission and in this way the dog learns to connect and work with its human by navigating through a series of what I call 'gateways'. In so doing the dog knows that it will be provided with direction, that it will not be permitted to escalate to intense behaviour, that it must stop and think...
• The dog should not be pressed up against the door, but instead should yield the space by the door and wait several feet away from the door;
• The dog should make eye-contact with its human;
• The dog should wait for the human to yield the space in-front of the door and/or wait for a gesture or signal that it may proceed out the door;
• The dog should be calm and attentive throughout this entire process, and;
• In order for this process to be both fair and successful the human must direct in a kind, fair, intelligent, aware and self-disciplined manner.

Rule (noun)…rules:

Commonly defined as an authoritative principle set forth to guide behaviour or action.

Boundary (noun)...boundaries:
1. Border the invisible line that divides one physical area from another
    (for example respect for another's space, yielding; waiting for
    permission to go through and out a door, down the stairs etc.)

2. Limit the point at which something (i.e. a specific behaviour) ends or beyond which it
    becomes something else. For instance, when a behaviour is within the realm of
    normal and then escalates beyond that limit into the realm of chaos (unbalanced,
    creating over excitement, anxiety, aggression, etc.).

  

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN TEACHING RULES & BOUNDARIES TO YOUR DOG

FIRST, Be calm-directive
1.  Be aware and in control of your emotions;
2.  While using  patience and confidence;
3.  As well as determination and persistence.

Calm (adjective)Not anxious, without anxiety or strong emotion.

Confident directive...Acting confidently, confident in  stating a position or claim.

SECOND...provide direction by effectively communicating with your dog in a clear, consistent manner. Keep in mind that dogs receive communication from us in various forms; they watch how we human's position our bodies, they look at the expressions on our face, they use their sense of smell, they note how we are breathing, they sense our general state-of being.

Remember, if you are directing your dog to 'calm down' and you are not calm yourself - you are leading by example, the wrong example. If, instead your state-of-being is the polar opposite (you are calm); you are leading by the right example...asking for calm by being calm. You are clearly and consistently supporting the message you want your dog to receive.

By mastering these concepts you take on the leadership role and become your dog’s pack leader!



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Whether you are experiencing dog behavior problems and would like assistance, or just want to bring your dog up to be a well-balanced canine -  I offer both a local and international service for people with one or multiple dogs. 

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Notes:

Please note - this article is for information purposes and is not a substitute for an in-person Session with me. When working with dogs I use many techniques - it is important to note that this article may touch on one or several techniques but not all. I select the technique that I use for a particular dog based on my observations of the dog and an intuitive, instinctive assessment of that dog's and its human's individual requirements. For example when I am working with a dog that is hyper sensitive and very physically reactive I will not use voice or touch. I use a lot of therapeutic touch on some dogs, others require the use of herding techniques and so on. Each and every technique must be combined with:

• an understanding of the real intelligence, sensitivity and capability of dogs;
• an understanding of how to read a dog's face and a dog's overall body language;
• an understanding of the full spectrum of ways that humans communicate and dogs communicate; 
• understanding and recognition of the individual that is each dog - no two dogs are the same...taking a 'cookie cutter' approach to techniques is not the way to work with a dog;
• a complete recognition and understanding of all the elements that feed a behaviour and create an issue:
•  the vast majority of people can only identify one or two elements...which vastly inhibits the ability to resolve behavior issues;
• behaviours do not exist in isolation - there are always many elements that feed a single behaviour, there all always multiple behaviours that create a behavioral issue;
• self-restraint and discipline on the part of the human who is directing the dog;
• sensitivity, awareness, intuition, instinct and timing on the part of the human who is directing the dog;
• to understand, connect with and adapt quickly and effectively to a dog's learning requirements you must be able to employ the same tools a dog uses - acute sensitivity, awareness, instinct, intuition and timing;
• kindness, endurance, consideration, patience, persistence, perspective, the ability and know how to let the past go, the ability to set realistic expectations at any one point in time;
• the creation of structure, rules, boundaries and limitations for each situation at the macro and micro level;
• understanding of all the elements that make up an instruction and direction to a dog...there are multiple steps involved in an instruction - not just one!
• absolute honesty - if you cannot be honest with yourself you will not be able to communicate clearly with a dog.

These are just some of the techniques that I teach my clients - it is a holistic, all-encompassing approach. If you are missing any one element of the above mentioned your success rate will be affected to one degree or another in implementing the techniques offered in the article presented above.