Human / Canine Hierarchy & House Rules
- Human / Canine Relationship
1, Human/Canine Relationship.
Although nowadays our dogs appearance and lifestyle is very different from what it was and further studies have shown that dogs do have a lot of differences in behaviour from wolves, one thing that has remained constant is that there has to be a leader, a pack parent, for lack of better wording. What happens so often in our canine/human relationship is that we, as pack parents do not always fulfil that position properly – and that is only because we do not know how to. What then occurs is that the dog will try to take charge which often leads to disastrous results including numerous behavioural problems.
The Alpha in a pack is the dog that is the strongest, most intelligent and best fitted dog all round to lead the pack. The Alpha dog is not the dog that barks, fights (unless with a rival) and creates havoc – he is the dog that is calm, respected, looks after his pack and ensures that his place is maintained by exhibiting these virtues. It is in the middle ranking of the pack that the ‘wannabees’ (I want to be the leader but have not learned how) are seen. These are the dogs that squabble amongst themselves; they would never dare show this type of behaviour to the Alpha unless they were issuing a challenge.
What then needs to be done is to show your dog that you (and the rest of your family) are higher up in the pack than the dog is. We do not achieve this by force (aggression breeds aggression), but by being a calm, confident example for our dogs. Once your dog realizes that you are in charge, it will stop trying to be in charge and become a much calmer, less stressed individual and realize that it can trust you to care for and protect it.
Although nowadays our dogs appearance and lifestyle is very different from what it was and further studies have shown that dogs do have a lot of differences in behaviour from wolves, one thing that has remained constant is that there has to be a leader, a pack parent, for lack of better wording. What happens so often in our canine/human relationship is that we, as pack parents do not always fulfil that position properly – and that is only because we do not know how to. What then occurs is that the dog will try to take charge which often leads to disastrous results including numerous behavioural problems.
The Alpha in a pack is the dog that is the strongest, most intelligent and best fitted dog all round to lead the pack. The Alpha dog is not the dog that barks, fights (unless with a rival) and creates havoc – he is the dog that is calm, respected, looks after his pack and ensures that his place is maintained by exhibiting these virtues. It is in the middle ranking of the pack that the ‘wannabees’ (I want to be the leader but have not learned how) are seen. These are the dogs that squabble amongst themselves; they would never dare show this type of behaviour to the Alpha unless they were issuing a challenge.
What then needs to be done is to show your dog that you (and the rest of your family) are higher up in the pack than the dog is. We do not achieve this by force (aggression breeds aggression), but by being a calm, confident example for our dogs. Once your dog realizes that you are in charge, it will stop trying to be in charge and become a much calmer, less stressed individual and realize that it can trust you to care for and protect it.