Do you feel that your dog is the one who “controls” you? Is he the one ruling the roost at your home? Does he ignore you when you call him, even when you’ve trained him for months?
You certainly have maverick on your hands, but not the cute, independent kind: the kind that could end up harming you, a member of your family, or even a stranger.
It’s time to get your dog under control. If he’s not following your commands even after being trained to do so, it’s because he doesn’t look at you as his leader. It’s time to change the situation and become your dog’s Commander in Chief!
Dogs Are Pack Animals: You Need to Be the Pack Leader in His Eyes
Making sure your dog knows you’re the leader of his pack actually will make him happier. He will be living in a comfortable and stable environment – and who doesn’t thrive in a stable environment!? Your dog needs to know that you are in charge; doing so means you’ll receive his loyalty, love and respect – and you’ll all enjoy a happier home life as a result.
If you’ve noticed that your dog is starting to pull on his leash during walks, barking/whining or exuding bad manner around dogs and people, your dog may be feeling leaderless and so he may believe he has to become the pack leader himself. Hence, his “disobedient” behavior.
- Start creating boundaries.
As a pack leader, you’re the one who gets the best sitting and sleeping spots, to control where your dog can sit and sleep. Your dog needs to check with you before he can jump on the bed or sit on the couch. Remove your dog from the bed/couch if he gets there without permission. Do so calmly. Allow him to sit anywhere only when you give him direct permission. It’s also wise that you don’t let him sleep on the bed with you, although he may sleep on a dog bed on the floor of your bed.
- Don’t forget to play with your dog.
Dogs need to play and stay active to stay happy and healthy – and have a good mental outlook. Playing with your dog also helps the two of you build a strong relationship.
Make sure that you decide when it’s playtime and when it’s time to stop. Your dog needs to check with you and get permission that playtime is here.
If, for example, your dog brings his leash to you, indicating he wants to go for a walk, or he drops his favorite toy by your feet, it’s up to you to decide if you want to play or not. When your dog looks at you as the pack leader, he will understand that it may not be the right time to play.
- Lead your dog.
Always walk into your home ahead of your dog and always leave the house ahead of your dog. If you’re both going to a room together, you must go first.
As for walking your dog, don’t let him walk ahead of you, nor should you allow him to pull you on the leash. Instead, get a six-foot, non-retractable leash and make sure there’s only enough lead that your dog can walk beside you and not in front of you.
If your dog is exhibiting excessive aggressive behavior, it may be time to call in a professional dog trainer to help you work with your dog.
We love happy and playful dogs here at Barney’s Ranch, but we don’t accept overly aggressive dogs. Contact us at 469-450-7040 or send us an e-mail to info@BarneysRanch.com for more information.