Leading Your Dog

In order to have a stable pack, whether human or non-human, that pack must be led by a stable and confident leader. In the human world, a good leader is confident, assertive, knowledgeable, strict with boundaries, protective of his/her people, etc. It is those same qualities that make a strong leader in the world of canines. Dogs are very social animals and do have a pack mentality. As humans and dog guardians, we need to learn to be just that – DOG guardians. Dogs are trying to make their way in a world that is very foreign to their instincts. We owe them the benefit of meeting them halfway between the world of humans and that of dogs. When we bring a dog home, we take a lifelong pledge to care and love as long as they live. If problems arise, it should be our job as the human to manage and alleviate the stress in the relationship.     

Humans are egocentric creatures, meaning that we think that all creatures see the world as we do. Fortunately and unfortunately for us, this just isn’t the case. Dogs do not reason with other dogs the way that humans do. They don’t ask for what they want. They wait until it is given to them, or they learn to demand it. Dogs learn by experience, by conditioning, and by following strong and confident leaders.                 

There are many ways to lead your dog. First and most importantly, be sure that you are consistent. Consistency leads to dependency. Your dog will be more stable in knowing that he can depend on you every day, not just weekends and holidays, when you have more time. This will allow your dog to be able to fully give themselves up to your care.  

Here are some key resources that should be in human control:

#1: Food – Food is necessary for your dog’s survival so use this to your advantage. Make your dog work for his food, don’t just hand it over on a silver platter. Dogs are made to hunt for their food or to otherwise work hard for it. Teach your dog to sit, wait, perform tricks, hunt, or otherwise work for his meals. It’s also never a bad idea to hand feed, even if just a portion of the meals. For example, before putting the food bowl down, ask for a “sit” and reward with a handful of food, repeat a couple of times, and then put the bowl down.  

#2: Toys – If your dog likes toys, by all means, use this as a tool also. Your dog should have toys left down to play with so that he doesn’t choose to play with less appropriate things. However, don’t leave a whole bucket of toys down at once. The general rule is to leave about 3 toys per dog down and rotate the rest. Keep the remainder of the toys out of reach and make your dog work for the “new” toys each time. Don’t let him grab them from your hands and tell you when it’s time to play. Instead, put play time under your control (often) as a reward for good manners. The general rules for play should be: “Take it”, “Drop it”, and NO mouthing of skin! Also, make sure you end play on your terms. Often, giving the dog a clear signal, such as a double-pat on the head with a verbal “all done” is sufficient. This will only work if you remain consistent and firm about playing being over at that point. If you give in, your dog will keep pestering you! 

#3: Walk/Time outdoors – Walking is critical for your dog. Having a big house or yard that your dog can “run around in” is not nearly enough exercise. Dogs need both physical stimulation as well as mental stimulation. Walks/Runs are great for both. Dogs need new experiences, whether that includes new smells, birds, dogs to encounter, people to meet, construction to look at. You get the picture. Having an outlet for mental energy is just as important, if not more important than getting the physical energy out. Often, it can be more exhausting. Training tricks and obedience are great outlets – Mentally exhausting.  

On the other side of that, you need to have control over the walk. This does not mean expecting your dog to be in a strict heel, head held high right by your side. That’s a lot to ask. Your dog enjoys his walks when he can look around, sniff the ground, “read the daily paper”.  However, your dog needs to learn some self control. That is where the “loose-leash walking” exercises will come in. Use those sniffing opportunities as a reward. Be unpredictable in your direction so that your dogs learns to follow your lead and most importantly, if you don’t want your dog to pull on leash, then don’t reward him for doing so by following along.

#4 Space – If you have a dog who is commonly on alert and also playing the role of guard dog to the point beyond your control, he is doing so because he doesn’t believe you are capable or available. Of course, we all want dogs who can alert us to intruders. However, we should also be able to take over the situation once alerted. A few barks are ok – after all, they are dogs and it is instinctual. Once you have been alerted, take over the door or the window. Body-block him and tell him “I’ve got it, thank you”. Walk into his space, backing him up physically, without touching him with your hands, since that would be rewarding. Be pro-active, confident and be assertive, not “tough”.  

#5: Attention – This one is listed last but it’s a big one. Dogs are not born loving attention but as they mature and spend time with humans, they learn to love it! Sometimes they love it so much that they demand it. Attention should be elicited and controlled by you. That’s not to say that you cannot ever give your dog attention when he comes to see you, but don’t allow your dog to control when he wants or does not want attention. Again, use attention and praise as your resource!

These resources will all be subjective to your dog’s point of few. The more food motivated your dog is, the more he will valu the person in charge of and making him work for his food. The same goes for toys, space, walks, access to other dogs, attention, etc. Some other common resources that might not be thought of: car rides, running, sniffing, etc. Anything your dog loves can usually put under your control.

As you can see, leading your dog is hard work, but your dog is worth it and deserves it. An unstable environment and pack will cause an unstable dog, often resulting in possession, aggression, fear, anxiety, obsession, etc. If a dog is not being led, he will feel the need to lead, because he knows no other way of life. Be your dog’s leader, and your entire pack will have a sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, and a stronger bond.

Dogs do what works. Be careful how you are responding to a behavior because you just might be rewarding the wrong thing. And be proactive, not reactive. Rewarding your dog for NOT doing something is important too, rather than waiting for the wrong choice.