Be the Leader of Your Pack

Want an Awesome Dog? Be an Awesome Leader!

Ever get the feeling your dog’s ignoring you? Or, even worse, you know you’re being heard but your dog takes his own sweet time responding?

Our human response is to blame the dog, wonder why they’re being obstinate and feel put out.

Your Got Sit dog training is working. However, you may have forgotten how important what we don’t say is.  As human parents, we have known that kids do as we do, not always what we say. The same applies to the human-dog relationship. Being a great dog leader isn’t just your verbal communication, it’s how you live and what you do.

You are critical to your dog’s success. Dogs ascribe to pack mentality, which requires clear, strong, consistent leadership by the alpha member. That’s you. If your leadership dwindles, wobbles or vanishes all together, your dog will assume the role. Being ignored and/or cold-shouldered is one of the first signs your alpha skills may need a tune up.

Got Sit Dog Training is a great way to strengthen your owner-dog relationship and roles as well as get your leadership skills back on track. Here are four helpful leadership-boosting tips you can incorporate.

1. You’re the leader, so lead. Lead going in and out of doors, lead when you’re taking a walk, lead when determining play options. You should be physically ahead of your dog in all these scenarios. This is a vital nonverbal cue that tells your dog you are the uncontested leader. It’s important to incorporate it into your everyday behavior.
2. Nix the slumber party. An effective pack leader sits and sleeps in the prime positions. These are usually physically higher than and separate from the rest of the pack. In other words, don’t share your bed with your dog. The same goes for the couch. The furniture is for you, the floor is for your dog. This is another powerful nonverbal message that resonates strongly with your dog and lets him know you’re the alpha leader.
3. Be the food source. Do you leave food out and allow your dog to self-determine meal times? Your dog reads this seemingly innocent arrangement as an opportunity to assume the leadership role. It can quickly evoke problematic behavior in even the best trained dogs. Project strong leadership by regulating your dog’s meals. You decide when it’s time to eat, you dole out the food.
4. No need for the conflict. Being a competent leader doesn’t require a lot of fuss and noise. Consider our Got Sit trainers. All of them speak quietly to their dogs at all times. If you find yourself raising your voice or shouting at your dog, you may want to review your leadership behavior. It may be your dog isn’t seeing you in the alpha role and therefore doesn’t feel compelled to listen to you.

If you want a well-mannered, obedient dog, you must ascribe to structure and assume the leadership role. There’s no getting around it. In fact, it’s inherent in being a good owner. Our dogs look to us to fill this role. If we don’t, they will. It’s sure-fire way to not only loose control of your dog, but also your quality of life.

Have any good alpha strengthening tips? We want to hear them. Share them in the Comments section below. If you’re struggling with this subject or need help incorporating it more thoroughly into your training, call us at 425-405-5748. We’re always happy to help.