Dominance in the Pack

In the wild, dogs aren’t exactly the same as people. While people might seek out a leader and do what the leader says, people usually tend to think for themselves and live independent lives. However, dogs are different. They seek out a leader and follow that leader. The leader helps the dogs by developing a pack mentality, where they all seem to think a like. This is why a pack of dogs will go after prey. It is also why if one of your dogs starts to bark at something outside of your house, all of the dogs will start to bark at it. It is this pack mentality that is very important for you in developing the way that you relate to your dogs, or even just to one dog.

Dogs need leaders. They need to have another dog, or a human, tell them what to do and be in charge of them. Therefore, it is important for you as a dog owner to develop this type of dominance with your dog. Right from the get go, you have to show your dog that you are in charge and that you mean business. This is very important because it is going to be the only way that you have to make sure that you are always in charge of your dog and his behavior. Remember that your dog wants to be a dog that is part of a pack, so you need to create one.

First of all, the best way to create dominance with your own pack is to be sure that you always set the rules. You decide when the dogs eat, and what they eat.  You decide when it is time to go out to go potty. You make sure that if you have rules about not being on the furniture or other things, you teach your dogs this and make sure they follow it. All of that said, it is important to do all of this kindly. The best way to develop dominance with your dogs is to do it in a way that is kind and loving. You want to be sure that you are always being kind and loving with your dogs, and that you are never giving them a reason to distrust you. Never hit your dogs or punish them as a way of asserting dominance. Never use food as a tool or a weapon with your dog as well.

For more information, be sure that you check out SitStayFetch. You’ll learn about making sure that you are the leader of the pack, and many other things as well.