The Leader of the Pack

In the wild, dogs live in packs and thus prefer to be part of a group.  A dog  therefore only feels comfortable and happy when there is a hierarchy in the group.  The pack leader  will ensure that its subordinates have everything they need, but demands some privileges in return which the lower ranked pack members will not have.

 Pups learn the most important rules of the “pecking order” from their mother and by playing with other pups in the litter.  Your new puppy will naturally regard your family as its pack.  The roles in this pack are not divided naturally and will have to be enforced intentionally by you.  In families where there has been no hierarchy enforced and the dog has become leader of the pack it may pull on its leash and correct its subordinates by growling or snarling when it does not like their conduct.  In such unusual circumstances the dog will often be thought to be in the wrong, while this is not the case. The fact is the dog can only follow his instincts.  If it does not see its lenient and inconsistent master as the pack leader, it will decide to take over for the benefit of the pack.

 It is important for your family and your dog to set clear boundaries.  Dogs can feel insecure and lack self confidence if you are an inconsistent master  with unclear intentions. Many behavioural problems may then occur, such as destructive, anxious, dirtiness and disobedience.  You and your family need to be consistent in the rules and boundaries created for your dog.

 Here are some tips in setting the boundaries and making sure your dog understands you are pack leader.

 •Only feed the dog when everybody else has finished eating.  The higher ranks always eat first.  You can also feed your dog at times not immediately before or after your own meal times.

•When you arrive at home greet your family members first and the dog last.  The higher rankings are greeted first and the lower rankings last. 

•Always walk in front with your dog following behind you.  Never let the dog decide where the walk will lead to. Also never let it walk in front of you through a door or entering a room. The pack leader walks in front  and the lower ranks follow.

•Do not stroke your dog or play with it when it tries to force you into it.  It is commanding you to take notice of it, thus indulging in the role of pack leader.

•Never lie on the floor, but always keep your face in a higher position then the head of the dog.  A higher rank literally never takes the a lower position than a subordinate.

•Always call your dog and never walk towards it. A             higher rank never walks towards someone ranking lower, it should always be the other way around.

 In order to avoid the relationship between your children and dog deteriorating you will have to teach your children the following:

•Always call the dog towards them and never approach it themselves (or even worse crawl towards it).

•NEVER tease the dog.

•Not to yell, argue, or run away when the dog is near.

•Not to command it unnecessarily or inconsistently.

•To leave the dog in peace while they are sleeping.

•Not to lie on the floor and to always keep their head higher then the dogs head.

•Not to stare at the dog.

 Until next week keep

 those tails wagging.

 Source: Golden Retriever by - Esther Verhoef