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?
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