Did you ever see one of those people that can ask your dog to do anything, and they just blindly obey, leaving you stupefied? You asked, asked, and asked again with no response from your dog and here comes this stranger and viola, obedience.
Did you ever go through training sessions and come away completely frustrated because your dog just doesn’t seem to “get it”? Chances are your dog isn’t slow and you are working as hard as you can. What is missing is probably the leadership that is communicated through your attitude.
Dogs are pack animals and the pack is a highly structured unit which must have a leader and followers. In the absence of a leader, a dog will step up to fill that position. If you provide that proper leadership, you will have a dog that will be more willing to please, pay greater attention, and be more responsive when you ask him to do something . . . .the first time! And it all starts with Attitude (with a capital A).
Providing leadership does not mean that you don’t show your dog love and affection. Believe me, there’s no way I would stop petting and cuddling with my four dogs. What it does mean is that you present yourself in a way that the dogs respect you first and love you second. When you speak a command, they listen the first time. Similar to raising children, the object is creating a balanced, well behaved pet.
When you walk your dog, do you allow him to pull. . . .He is the leader. When you leave the house, is he darting out before you, leaving you to chase and call his name . .. He is the leader. When you are feeding him, does he start snarfing down the food before it hits the floor. . .. he is the leader. Do you have to repeat commands several times before he decides to listen. . . He is the leader.
To break this cycle is a combination of projecting a different attitude and practicing leadership exercises. (A link for the exercises is found at the bottom of this article). Below are some simple ways to project the attitude that will help you communicate more effectively with your dog.
Project Attitude
- Speak calmly and in a low tone when you are asking your dog to do something. Don’t yell or get frantic regardless of the situation. Don’t chase your dog.
- Never ask more than once. If he doesn’t obey, wait. . . don’t immediately repeat the command
- When walking your dog, walk with shoulders back, head up, and confidently, with a lose relaxed hand on the leash. . .KNOW that he will not pull and correct immediately and consistently when he does not comply. Stay calm.
- In short, KNOW that you are the leader and act accordingly. If you have to pretend and take on an assumed persona temporarily, that’s fine. In my classes, I tell people to pretend they are a drill sergeant, WWE fighters, or if I’m dealing with children, superheroes. You can fake it till you make it.
–joann neve
Another great article. It may seem like common sense to be the leader and gain the respect of your dog, but I’m always amazed how many people can’t find a happy medium between yelling/scolding their dog when giving a command and asking their dog to do something. Tell them once, tell them firmly and tell them calmly.