Even though it’s been a long time since our four-legged furry friends lived a feral life, they still have the laws of the pack rooted deep down inside them. It is not acquired behaviour, the need to live in a pack is determined by genetics. And if today, the dog lives in a family, we are their only pack. If they are supposed to be content, we have to make up the life style of the pack for them to such an extent, so that they understand their place and position.
As I watch the people around me, many of them feel the need to humanize and spoil their dogs (that is, to put them at their, or even higher level within the pack). Even I have a weakness for this sometimes, but it does not always correspond to dog’s natural behaviour. This may then lead to numerous behavioural issues that will restrict not only us, owners, but our dogs as well. Someone could tell themselves that by domestication and breeding, all dog naturalness has disappeared, but it isn’t so. We should keep in mind that the dog is a predator that is led mainly by their own instincts. That’s why it needs a lead in the company of people. In the same way as we shouldn’t treat a dog as a wolf, we shouldn’t even treat it as a child. To put it shortly and simple: we should treat it as a dog. Only this way, we are giving them everything they require.
It is necessary to demonstrate that we are the leader in the pack, the alfa, and that our four-legged friend should be unconditionally obedient. You don’t jump on the alfa, you don’t bark at them, alfa needs to be respected. They also have the absolute right to all space, anyone else always has to back away. We should remember that a good owner should be unambiguous, consistent, strict, but just. The dog won’t understand a reprimand for a small puddle or a destroyed thing several hours after the act and they see it as a wrong. The laws of the dog pack are clearly set, unchangeable and from the viewpoint of a human, they might be tough. But if we show hesitation, we will shift on the ladder of the pack to a very low position and the dog will start to use its superiority. This may show in biting, destroying and taking of things, but also by refusing food, or by being choosy and the like. But the reward for consistent abiding of the rules will be a content, composed and obedient dog without psychological issues. And we are going to be content as well. :)
If the dog behaves contrary to the rules of their alfa, they are warned at first and upon repetition, they are punished (to a corresponding degree!). It depends a lot on the character of the dog what will work in their case. But we avoid violence and physical punishment, since this would only hurt us in the building of mutual trust. Because domination is not related with physical superiority. You can find more about this topic in the article “How (not) to punish your dog”.
A good leader provides food and safety for the pack. To win over a dog furry, it is essential, to persuade them that we will protect them at any situation and that they don’t have to protect us on the contrary. Let’s try to always remain calm and not upset ourselves, let’s conduct ourselves with confidence and single-mindedness. It is necessary not to comfort the dog or to feel sorry for them, but to clearly show them that such behaviour is undesirable. If we’re going to console the dog, we show them that their fear is justifiable and we only confirm them in their fearfulness.
Before feeding, we can train dog’s obedience a bit, in this manner, we give them the feeling that they didn’t get the food only justly, but that they deserved it. We also shouldn’t react to every dog’s clamouring for attention. We let them go empty-handed and we ignore them for a while. Let us reward them with a pleasant activity or a treat, if they are behaving calmly and according to the rules. It should be us who starts, controls and finishes any activity. In short, let us not give the dog the feeling that they will get anything they need without any further effort.
We can recognize that our role as the leader isn’t sufficiently consolidated in the dog when they are: pulling on the leash, marking in the flat, welcoming the guests before us, refusing to be called off from a play with other dogs or also growling, when the owner comes closer to the bowl.
Let’s remember that by consistent training, we secure contentment not only for us and our dog, but even the safety of the dog and of the people around us. And what is your experience with the laws of the pack? Have you always had it under control or did it sometimes happen to you that the dog resisted and tried to win a better position?
Food is one of the most basic needs of dogs as well as humans. How to make sure your dog has enough necessary nutrients? And if you opt for dry food, what options are there? And what to consider when choosing?
Most of us care about the contents of the packages with dry food but have you ever thought about the packaging itself? Do you know what is used for the packaging of dry food, how different are individual materials and what innovations can you find on...
You can recognize a Burmese cat mainly because of its silky fur and beautiful, deep gloss with typical signs of a colour that is not present in any other breed. Besides its glossy fur, this breed has also a great nature which makes these cats great...
Dachshunds, from smooth-haired, wire-haired and short-haired to long-haired, are popular companions and not only in the Czech Republic but in the world as well. And they are great companions! Even though they are quite stubborn.
Cats may bite from many reasons and if you would like to make this undesirable behaviour stop, it is important to understand why they do it. The fundamental thing is to eliminate the cause but we can also help with other things.
Do you like baking and you have noone to bake for? You probably haven’t thought about your dog companion. However, you might also make some tasty and healthy goodies at home for it as well. I’ll tell you how.
Only a few per cent of loss of water may cause serious problems for your dog. However, we often don’t pay attention to its drinking and underestimate its importance. When there is a risk of dehydration, do you know how to avoid it or recognize it?
Dry food with larger proportion of meat might not only have positive effects on dogs’ organisms, when processed well, it will also make happy even the pickiest gourmets that usually don’t like dry food. Thanks to a holistic approach, you’ll keep the...
The days are getting warmer and our dogs and cat starts to shed. This has a negative impact on your household with all the hair. Have you found a way to reduce the contamination with hair at least a bit and speed up the process of shedding?...
Do you also barely resist the temptation to cuddle a dog, no matter if yours or someone else’s? It’s no surprise, a new study shows that such contact with a dog is like a drug for human brain.
There are plenty of reasons why we get flat-faced dogs. For their specific appearance, great nature, loyal love to their owner... And maybe also for their need of constant attention that makes us feel well. The flat-faced dogs are simply cute....
Brown rats, mice and hamsters as well as other rodents are quite small pets and sometimes, we don’t even think about dealing with them being overweight. However, if we like our pets and we want them to be well and stay with us as long as possible,...
