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Labsr4U Pawsitive Advice
Establishing Dominance
The following article was written by
Rachel Peeples, DVM
Much has been made in recent years about pack structure of wolves and the application to the domestic dog. Some of these principles are valid but remember dogs are NOT wolves. Mankind has selectively bred many "wolf" traits out of the dog. Captive wolves, for instance, will always challenge children because they see them as weaker members of the pack. Our domestic dogs do not. The pack structure, however, does have some relevance to your relationship with your dog.
Dogs, like wolves, are not born into a democratic world. In both the wild and domestic canine world there are leaders and followers not equal members of society. Dogs and wolves will not tolerate a leaderless environment. Thus, either you or your dog will be the leader. If you do not assume the role, your dog will. Whoever is leader has the right to choose where to sleep, what to eat, and who can do what. If your dog is leader, then he will believe that he can do what he wants and if you try to stop him it is his job to remind you who is boss.
Dogs reinforce their leadership through threats of violence and, if necessary, violence. Many of the dog attacks in homes are due to the fact that the people have allowed the dog to become the leader and then still expect to be able to order the dog out of the chair or off the bed or take away a shoe, etc. The dog's mind does not work that way. If it is the leader, it will not tolerate being told what to do. Hence, the importance of establishing leadership is clearly evident.
Establishing leadership does not mean physically dominating the dog or having the dog live in constant fear of you. It means that you are the one in control. Very simple exercises with your puppy will establish you as the leader.
Rub your puppy's chest, handle its feet, open its mouth, and touch its genitals. Dogs are naturally very protective of their genitals and they must learn to accept being touched. Children often come up behind dogs, and the dog not used to being handled may react violently. Handling all parts of the body lets the dog know that it must tolerate you doing what you want and also makes veterinary exams much less traumatic.
Another simple exercise to establish leadership is to take the food away from the puppy while it is eating. Toys and treats should be routinely taken away also. This teaches the puppy that it has to accept the fact that you control everything and what it gets is at your convenience. Puppies naturally demand our attention and we are happy to let them do so. But remember your attention is yours to give NOT theirs to demand. Ration out your attention if the puppy gets too demanding. Remember this: WHAT THE PUPPY LEARNS THE DOG DOES!!! If as a puppy, it can demand your attention then as an adult it will do the same and may get hostile if you refuse it. You, as the leader, control everything and give permission for everything.
I know this sounds harsh to our equal rights and democratic souls but remember dogs are not people. Either you or the dog will be in control. It's your decision which one it is. If you choose to let the dog be the leader, expect the dog to assume the position (dogs will not tolerate a leaderless environment) and subsequent exhibit the behaviors of the dominant individual in the relationship.
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