Pushy, in your face, tripping you up, these are all words used to describe a dominant dog. These dogs are like children, they were not taught consistent discipline at a young age and don’t understand the value of right and wrong. However, there the similarity ends there because with a child you can explain what you want , but dogs live only for the moment and explanations are a waste of breath. In a way, dominant dogs live in a world where normal signals of communication with dog and owner have been blurred. Dogs work on a black and white system of leadership. If you teach your dog what it can and cannot do using clear and concise commands with a relevant reward, your leadership and authority will be respected. Dogs cannot live beside us in harmony if they try to lead the human pack.
Characteristics of a dominant dog are diving thru doorways before you or jumping out of the car without waiting for your cue. Tactics to elicit attention are adopting a doleful, sad look, barking, fetching a toy, grabbing something that is off limits, nudging your hand for strokes, pawing, pressing their body against you, rolling over for pats or rubs, sitting on your foot, whining.
Dominant dogs have a innate desire to be leader. The strength of this varies from breed to breed and dog to dog. Dominance is compounded by how they have learned thru daily practice, to get your attention and so their own way. There is no equality in dog society, you either lead or are led. This does not mean that we cannot develop a trusting and enjoyable relationship with our dog. On the contrary a dog that knows its position in the hierarchy of the family pack is a happy, contented, less anxious dog. We are going to psychologically teach our dog how to behave like we want. We are going to show by our example and behavior , as well as by lack of response to their demanding overtures , that you are leader. Remember, we are trying to accustom a dog that did not evolve to coexist with humans who don’t speak wolf language.
We are going to talk about ways of starting a new regime in which you are established as leader. Your dog will learn how to be well mannered and good tempered. This program should be introduced over a period of two weeks. The following suggestions are not meant to be viewed as punishments or retributions. They are ways of starting a new regime in which you are viewed as leader.
Psychological Demotion:
If your dog sleeps on the bed, ban him from there immediately.
- When walking thru the house, make your dog get out of the way. Do not walk around it. Use your foot to gently nudge the dog out of the way. If your dog is aggressive, use a sweep broom.
- Give no treats unless you are in a training session
- Remove all balls, toys, chews and similar articles. Only use them when you choose to do so. You initiate the play, not your dog.
- Stop petting your dog for no reason totally. All petting and attention now has to earned. You may wonder what is the point of having a dog if you cannot touch or praise him. You have to make a choice. Either you put up with the problem and watch it get worse or you become tough and do something about it so you can enjoy a happier relationship n the future.
- If your dog is pestering you for attention: Don’t give him eye contact. Do not shove or push the dog away physically-he may interpret this as play. Don’t lose your temper and shout at the dog.
- If there are certain rooms or seats your dog habitually occupies, ban him from them
- Don’t let your dog go thru a doorway before you. If you open a door and he tries to push ahead of you, slam the door in his face (making sure the door does not hit him) He needs to wait and defer to you.
- When you make your dog’s food or your own meals, make sure your dog is aware that he will be given his food after you have eaten your meal.
- When watching television or reading a book, do not unwittingly pet your dog if he nudges you. Ignore him. Leaders ignore the solicitations of lower ranking pack members, unless it suits them, that is what keeps them a leader.
These programs usually take a minimum of 3 months. Some dogs may have to be on the program for life.
Ed Frawley
