Dog Dominance Behavior: Introduction
People frequently ask how a Dog Behaviorist and Dog Obedience Trainer relates to dogs and earns their respect and control . . . and especially that of the Dominant Dog.
The first part of that answer is simply stated but difficult for many people to internalize and act upon: To relate to a dog, you must first see and treat him fully as a DOG!
Before you can deal with a dog dominance issue at home or in dog obedience training, you must recognize that dog behavior and dog communication are NOT in line with human psychology.
After all, your dog is a CANINE (canis familiaris of the Family Canidae), and not homo sapiens.
So he thinks like a canine, not like a person. Your dog responds as one might in a wolf pack, not as a human family member.
He or she has real emotions, but they are canine emotions, not human emotions, and not to be mistaken as such.
The basic communication system of dogs involves three critical elements -- silence, submission, and leadership -- sometimes referred to generally as the dog whisper technique, with elements of wolf pack communication.
We will use these elements in this and subsequent dog training articles about solving Dog Dominance problems.
You and I need to understand, read, and use your dog's own communication system for optimal effectiveness in working with him.
Dogs have an inherent Pack Psychology which governs their thinking and actions.
In a pack, there is one dominant one, and the rest are all followers.
There is one Alpha male and one Alpha female.
To relate to a dog from a position of strength, respect, and control, YOU must be the Alpha Leader, the Pack Leader, and you must use pack psychology and pack communication.
Often we see dominant dogs taken home as young pups, because people are amused by their spirited behavior.
Actually, they are usually the first puppies chosen, the proverbial Pick of the Litter.
However, if this high-spirited nature is not controlled, then things get out of control quickly . . . becoming worse over time .
. . until the situation sometimes becomes dangerous.
Dominance can lead to violence.
So you might look for a mature dog, such as a Shelter Dog or Rescued Dog.
However, looking for a less dominant pet is not so easy in shelters.
There a dog's true nature is difficult to discern without the aid of an experienced person.
While in the shelter, the dog rarely has an area or anything that is under the dog's control, so there is little opportunity to observe possessiveness and dominance problems.
Nor are dogs cooped up in shelters able to burn off excess energy.
It is very hard for an untrained eye to differentiate between an excited "Please take me home" and the more troublesome "I want to control you!" of the hyper-active, dominant canine.
But the dominance problem quickly becomes evident when you go home and relax, for dominance shows up where perceived weakness is present.
For example, petting your dog when it is submissive (e.g., sitting or lying down) is appropriate and desirable, but not when it is in an aggressive or dominant stance.
If you display any sign of soft laxity at the wrong time because of your affection, that will be interpreted by your dog as weakness . . . and then,"Katie bar the door!"
With dominant types, you simply cannot afford to let down your guard or to make an exception "just this once" because the pup is so cute.
You must establish and maintain firm, consistent control of the Dominant Dog at all times. These eye-catching, spirited animals are highly intelligent and have great potential, but they also are usually very willful, stubborn, born leaders who seek to control you, other animals, and their environment.
They want to rule the roost!
You cannot give them an inch . . . or they will take it, and take it, and take it . .
. over and over, time and again.
These dogs are persistent!
For example, one friend had an Old English Sheepdog puppy, an Alpha Female about eight months old, who had a very bad reaction to a toxic flea dip back in 1976.
As the puppy started to tremor, the frightened owners lifted their darling onto the foot of the bed, both for her comfort and to ease their own backs as they nursed her.
MISTAKE!
That one incident led that puppy and her litter-mate to sneak onto the bed whenever possible .
.
. a pattern the owners never succeeded in terminating for the rest of the dogs' lives!
Too many owners just coddle the two-and-three month old "babies" and think that puppy training can start later.
NO!
The intelligent, spirited ones, especially, must be "trained" from day one with consistency, with You clearly as the Master!
Because of their high intelligence, they are ready much earlier than others for more formal types of training, too.
Training helps remove boredom and release energy, while giving the prideful animal a proper goal for which to strive, and achievement about which to strut with regal, dignified, proud bearing and the clear satisfaction of pleasing.
DON'T MOVE WITH THEM, YOU LOSE THEM!
I, too, have had a trying personal experience with an aggressive Alpha Pup.
I brought home a beautiful Rescued Dog, an eight-week-old retriever puppy from the Humane Society.
She turned out to be the most willful and stubborn dog I have ever seen, striving for dominance in all things!
There is no way she would have lasted in a "normal" home.
However, because of my sheer determination with consistent, proper training, she is becoming a loving, playful, and obedient sweetheart who, without loss of any spunk or pride, nevertheless submits to my command by a mere glance.
I am her undisputed Pack Leader.
Still, it wasn't easy to get her to that state. In great frustration, I eagerly sought the advice of two other trainers with vast puppy experience.
So I say to beleaguered Owners of aggressive, dominant puppies and dogs, "Don't be embarrassed.
This can happen to anyone!
Never be ashamed to ask for help from a Dog Trainer."
(Just make sure they really understand pack psychology.)
If you have a dog dominance problem, there IS a specific training technique that will work for you, and it centers on FOCUS.
It applies the communication system of "silence, submission, and leadership" and is a dog training technique which is effective with most dog dominance issues.
[It's much more effective and pleasant than hitting and yelling!]
So get help with control of the dog dominance behavior, and restore a right relationship with your pet, and peace and harmony in your home!.
Dealing with problem puppy behaviors
Everyone who owns a puppy or dog will eventually have to deal with and correct less than desirable behaviors on the part of their companion animal. There are a number of behaviors that should be nipped in the bud, including:
Jumping up on people
This is one of those behaviors that many owners inadvertently encourage in their animals, since jumping up, wagging his tail and the like can be adorable in a young puppy.
When that puppy is older, larger and heavier, however, this jumping up behavior ceases to be cute and begins to become annoying and even dangerous.
A large, heavy dog jumping up on people can be dangerous to young children and even to some adults, since a large, 100 pound plus dog can easily knock down a child or small adult.
Since you as the owner are responsible for the behavior of your dog, it is important to nip this problem behavior in the bud.
The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is...
Puppy training > Dealing with problem puppy behaviors
Puppy Crate Training -- Fast Track to a Contented Dog
Puppy crate training is one of the most effective ways to housebreak your new puppy.Puppy crate training takes a little patience, but it's a good way to set your puppy on the right path. This method has an impressive track record.Be sure to prepare everything ahead of time. Even before you bring your new puppy home, have the puppy crate ready and waiting.
The size of the crate is important.
For proper puppy crate training, you should have plenty of room in the crate for the puppy to turn around, stand and lie down, but don't get one that's too big.
Puppies feel uncomfortable in a crate that's so big they rattle around in it. If your puppy is a breed that will grow large, it's okay to buy a bigger crate for him to grow into, but make sure it has an adjustable partition in the back. This lets you keep his living space comfortable and cozy, but you can still expand it by moving the partition back as your puppy grows to full size. When you are ready to begin puppy...
Puppy Crate Training -- Fast Track to a Contented Dog
Puppy training > Puppy Crate Training -- Fast Track to a Contented Dog
6 easy ways to find a good dog training professional
Finding a good dog training professional
With so many people advertising in the field of professional dog training today, trying to determine who's truly qualified to look after your dog can be overwhelming.
What to look for when choosing a professional to help you with dog training :
1) A good reputation, ask around and get recommendations from your vet, other dog owners, or local kennel clubs.
2) Experience. - Inquire about their background,
i.e. number of years experience.
3)A genuine love of and devotion to dogs.
4) Extensive and up to date knowledge. Dedicated trainers keep themselves updated by attending dog training and animal behaviour courses, conferences, seminars and workshops.
5) Their training methodology and handling skills. A good trainers first concern should be the dogs well being.
6) Memberships with reputable associations, organizations and training clubs.
Puppy training > 6 easy ways to find a good dog training professional
Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions
Everybody loves puppies.
Who can resist those cute little faces and wet noses?
Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they also come with a lot of added responsibility.More than five million puppies are born every year in the United States.
In fact, one in every three families owns one or more dogs.
A female dog carries her puppies for a term of approximately 60 days before they are born.
Puppies are born blind, deaf, and with very little sense of smell.
Their eyes stay closed for about 10-15 days.
By four weeks old they have complete vision.
A puppy's sense of smell and hearing develops quickly.
Puppies have 28 temporary teeth, which start to appear around 3-4 weeks.
Their 42 permanent teeth begin to emerge around four months.
Be sure to have plenty of chew toys for your puppy.
Puppies need to chew to stimulate the loss of their baby teeth and to help place their permanent teeth.Puppies...
Puppy training > Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions
Dog Training - Train Your Puppy by Winning His Respect
The basis of training your puppy is winning his trust,respect, and confidence.
Real training can't begin until your puppy has accepted you as his leader, respects you,and has confidence in you.
A mistake many puppy owners make is confusing love and affection for respect and confidence.
It is important to love your puppy.
It is equally important for your puppy to respect you, have confidence in you, and see you as the pack leader.
Dogs are naturally pack animals and every pack member looks to the pack leader for direction.
Making
yourself the pack leader is vital to the success of training any dog.
If you don't, your dog will assume the role.
If that happens, neither of you will be happy.
Failure to gain the confidence and respect of your puppy can create a dog who is out of control, disobedient, and even dangerous.
It is important to train your puppy correctly from the start since...
Puppy training > Dog Training - Train Your Puppy by Winning His Respect
Uses for Dog Crates
If you own dogs, chances are you've either used or considered using dog crates for puppy training. Or you've planned a trip and wanted to take your best friend along and thought about them as pet carriers. But while puppy training and animal transport are important considerations, dog crates serve another purpose that might be even more important for your pet's quality of life ? a safe den. Dog crates offer an enclosed space that canines naturally crave. Millions of years of evolution have instilled this desire.
That being the case, it's very important while puppy training that you teach your pet early on that his crate is safe and a good place. Never use it as a form of punishment! Another use for dog crates beyond puppy training is as a place to recuperate from an injury or illness. This is especially advantageous if you have two or more dogs. Sick and injured animals, canines included, seek solitude while healing. They can be temperamental and even dangerous, even if normally...
Uses for Dog Crates
Puppy training > Uses for Dog Crates
Puppy House Training
Puppy House Training
Learn about methods on dog training including puppy house training. Look at how you can train your dog to do anything you wish in less than half the time after using proven techniques that get instant results!
Kevin Lynch, is the author of the hugely in demand dog training book Puppy n' Dog Secrets. This book is where he reveals the techniques and secrets employed by professional dog training experts including:
Easily Understood and Powerful techniques that will answer ANY dog problem such as puppy house training difficulties, Eliminating such nuisances as unnecessary barking, digging, destructive chewing, general disobedience, and much, much more...
How you can train your dog to carry out any command, from simple commands like SIT and STAY to the largely more complex tricks like you see in dog shows.
Take away the frustration of training your dog, discover how to communicate in a way that...
Puppy training > Puppy House Training
Weight Loss - How To Jump Start Your Weight Loss Plan Before Christmas
Copyright (c) 2006 Eva Moffat
? Be In Charge of Your Cravings
? Check Your Walking Shoes
? Make Your Weight Loss Plans
? Only Have Healthy Choices In Your Kitchen
? Your Day Should Start With Breakfast
? Progress Is Better Than Perfection
? Watch Your Portions
Be In Charge Of Your Cravings
In a survey of busy mums, it was found that their biggest challenge to weight loss was combating their cravings for foods loaded...
Puppy training > Weight Loss - How To Jump Start Your Weight Loss Plan Before Christmas
Dog Dominance Behavior: Introduction
Dog Dominance Behavior: Introduction ira Puppy training
Dog Dominance Behavior: Introduction
Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers
Like a big brother keeping notes of the erring behaviour of his younger sibling, credit reference agencies like Experian and Equifax maintain a record of each person entering into credit transaction. While a few instances of arrears are considered admissible, as the incidence of bad credit behaviour increases, creditors start considering these as a lack of reliability. These people are termed as having a bad credit history. Of all things, the ability to get a reasonable term mortgage is particularly...
Dog Dominance Behavior: Introduction mortgages Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers Puppy training
Puppy training > Poor Credit Mortgage Reigns High Among Mortgages Available to Bad Credit Borrowers