Leader of the pack

Why do dogs make good companions for people?

One of the reasons is that, like us, they tend by nature to live in groups.  From the moment your puppy became aware of his surroundings, he was part of a pack.  Since joining your household, the pup has been readjusting to fit into a new pack.  Just as the puppy is rapidly becoming 'one of the family' for the humans in the house,  from the puppy's point of view, all the people and other pets in the household are part of his new 'family-pack'.

Even at a few weeks of age, the individual characters of each puppy begin to express themselves and the litter your puppy has recently left would have been organised into a structure with a top, a middle and a bottom and Mum as the overall pack leader.  Your puppy will expect his new pack also to have a structure and will be looking to you to show him where he fits in. 

Who is pack leader in your house ?

Hopefully, the answer is YOU. It is important that the pack order is established from the very beginning of your relationship. Get this right, and you will have the basis for a relationship with your dog that is rewarding for both of you.

Who decides when it is time for your puppy to be fed or have a cuddle?  Who starts and finishes the games ?  Who decides where the puppy sleep ? 

If the answer to any of these questions is 'the puppy', your relationship could be starting on the wrong foot.  Following a few basic pack rules will establish from the very start that people rank higher in the family pack than your dog.  Not that you love him any less, but that you love him in his correct place.

What is a pack leader's role ?

The leader of a canine pack is the top of the heap, the BOSS.  The position brings many privileges, pack leader eats first and has the pick of the resting places, but also carries many responsibilities.  The leader of the pack is responsible for protecting the other pack members and for making the rules and ensuring they are followed.

A  dog pack leader fulfils their role by guiding other pack members and rewarding them for behaving in the appropriate manner.  The good pack leader can be firm when necessary and fun when suitable.  Most important, a pack leader must earn the pack's respect by being CONSISTENT.  Decide on the rules for your pack and make sure everybody understands and follows them.

Suggested rules for your pack to live by :

 

  • Higher Ranking Pack Members Sleep in the Best Places  
    Provide your puppy with his own comfortable bed and teach him from the start that this is where he sleeps.  You have every right to stand in his bed if you choose to as you are the boss, but he is not allowed on your bed.  If you choose to allow your dog onto the chairs with you, that is fine but remember that dogs do not understand the difference between clean and dirty.  It is not fair to allow your pup to leap all over the chairs some of the time and then expect him not to jump up when he is wet from a walk.  If you do decide to allow dogs onto the furniture, make sure your puppy waits and asks before he is allowed up and take care to lift him off when you get up.  Have one set of rules and stick to them. 

    • What is the puppy learning ?  – you control the resting places.

     

  • Higher Ranking Pack Members Eat First

    • In any wild dog pack, the leader eats first and the lower ranking pack members have what is left.  Make sure that your puppy knows you control the food.  Do not leave his meals down all the time, or he will be able to eat what he wants when he wants.  If meal times coincide, prepare the puppy's meal in front of him and leave it within his sight while you eat your meal.  Once you are finished, he may eat.  Anything he does not finish is lifted and not offered again until the next meal  Do not feed your puppy table scraps, not only will this teach him to beg but it will tell him that he is allowed to eat at the same time as higher ranking pack members.
    What is you puppy learning ?  - you control the food, not him.

     

  • Give your puppy lots of attention, but on your terms

    • Don't wait until he demands a game or a cuddle, you be the instigator.  Call him to you and make a fuss of him, play with him and train him.  If the puppy tries to demand attention, ignore him and avoid eye contact.  Once he has given up and gone off to amuse himself, call him to you and play a game.
    What is the puppy learning ? - you are his hero !

  • Always control the games you play with your puppy

    • Keep special toys and bring them out to play with him often.  You start the games and you finish them, removing the toys at the end of the play session  and placing them out of reach.  Always stop before the puppy becomes bored so the toys retain their novelty value and he will always be on the look out for another game.  An additional benefit is that your puppy will become excited when you bring out the special toys and they can be used as reward in training
    What is your pup learning ? - You control the best trophies.

  • To handle and groom your puppy is a privilege you extend to him

    • Whatever the length of your dog's coat, he will benefit from a daily groom.  Start teaching your pup to accept being handled all over. Wait until he is tired from a game and begin by stroking him gently and talking quietly to him. Gradually introduce a gentle brush such as a Zoom Groom.  Short, pleasant grooming sessions will help to reinforce the bond between you and clarify your position as pack leader, whilst teaching your puppy that human hands are not a threat
    What is your puppy learning ? – it is your right to handle and groom him if you wish.

  • Higher ranking pack members walk where they wish

    • If the puppy is lying in a doorway you wish to walk through, make him move to let you pass.  Do not walk round him to get to a destination. If you are passing through a door or gateway with him, make sure he allows you to pass through first
    What is your puppy learning ? - stepping aside is a mark of respect.

Don't expect the pup to know your standards, teach him what you want.  Don't take good manners for granted – praise the good behaviour and ignore the bad.  Time spent educating your pup now is an investment for the future !

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