If you have one piece of advice we can give to dog tutors, it is: be your dog’s leader. This is a strategy that works very well for anyone looking for a more balanced, respectful and, above all, happy dog.
Know that controlling a dog’s attitudes can become something extremely difficult when not done in the right way and at the right time. Therefore, dedicate time to this aspect and ensure that your animal’s days are lighter. Follow the text to understand more about it.
Be your dog’s leader
As previously mentioned, be your dog’s leader. No boss. But yes, leader. This is one of the most basic premises that a puppy seeks to find when he arrives at a new home. If he fails to perceive control and administration, he himself will feel empowered to do whatever he wants. And this can be disastrous, especially if you expect the dog to be obedient.
It is not an easy task and requires a lot of patience from tutors. Especially the first-timers. That is, you need to understand that, although there is indeed a way to become your dog’s leader, some time will need to be invested in this, until he realizes who is responsible for who. And that takes confidence, training and, above all, a lot of love. Keep reading to understand how the dog behaves in its natural instinct.
How does a dog behave?
A dog behaves nothing less than like an animal. And we all know that animals have instincts that make them go one way or the other. And one of the most present instincts in any dog is precisely the sense of leadership. When the dog arrives at a new home, he soon associates people close to him as members of the new pack. And in this way, he hopes that someone will take control of the situation.
Taking control of the situation is imposing limits, showing what you can, what you cannot, stipulating times and places to eat, etc. When there is no such sensation, that is, when the dog realizes that this figure does not exist as it should if it lived in the woods, it will instinctively take matters into its own hands.
And that means, among other things, being aggressive, possessive, rude and disrespectful to family members. As much as he doesn’t do it “for harm”, his instinct will be to lead, if no one leads him. And it is precisely at this point that his figure as a tutor must come into play. He needs to know that you own him and, in this way, guide the reins.
What is a leader?
Many people get confused between leader and boss. The leader is the one who will guide the steps of the followers, and the boss will be in charge. In short, we can easily associate these situations with canine behavior. We cannot get attached to the simple fact that we own them and, in this way, command and dismantle a series of situations that they do not even understand.
The leadership process is simple, but not easy. And he needs to be done the right way so that the dog doesn’t associate his figure with something he’s afraid of or terrified of. But yes, respect. A practical example of this is, instead of fighting when he does something wrong, praise him when he does something right. Dogs are conditioned to situations. And it is our responsibility to condition them for positive situations. And so they can make the association in the future. Be your dog’s leader and be effective in this step!
Training is the key to good behavior
You must have heard about dog training , right? Well, this is a method that many people simply find inaccessible or commonplace. However, it is extremely important to be able to lead your dog. Through strategic and thoughtful processes, we can create situations so that the dog learns, is polite and respectful, in accordance with our realities.
Therefore, a practical example of this situation is teaching your dog to control himself in situations where you are not present. When you get home, the recommendation of several trainers is that you should not interact with the dog. Let him play pranks and only after a few minutes pay attention.
This is a way of demonstrating that you are in the lead and will only pay attention when he behaves. Over time, he will condition himself to this and he will be a much less anxious dog. Be your dog’s leader and watch this process happen little by little.
Setting boundaries is key
A leader sets limits intelligently. He doesn’t fight, he doesn’t change and much less orders. However, he creates artifices so that the dog understands what is right and what is wrong. For example, if the dog does its needs in the wrong place, you shouldn’t fight with it, let alone make it smell its needs, rubbing its muzzle in the place (yes, there are people who do that!).
What you need to do is somehow condition him to do it right. For example, every time he hits the pee spot, praise him and offer him a prize. So he will understand that when he does a certain action, something positive happens.
Beware of the tone of voice
Tone of voice is something that dogs take very seriously. Fighting is not healthy. While watchwords, strong and short, yes, they can have an effect in the long term. A “no!” well expressed, quickly and briefly can be a command very well absorbed over time. However, exaggerated cursing and sermons will hardly be picked up. And you’ll only make the dog even more anxious. So pay attention to this situation.
Reasons to lead your dog
Finally, we separate a series of reasons to lead your dog and not be his boss. Show who’s in charge, but don’t abuse power, strength or your intelligence. Give the dog time, make him feel loved and never use force or violence. The rest will happen over time and you will notice the differences.
However, it is important to always keep in mind that the dog is still a dog and not a machine. Therefore, he deserves some time to assimilate everything that is happening and, in this way, respect you. See a list of positive situations that planned leadership can offer and thus be your dog’s leader.
- Elevation of immunity because he feels happier;
- Much more serenity with other people (postmen, for example);
- Lack of motivation to hurt family members;
- Much more respect is gained during walks (don’t pull the leash, for example);
- He will play much more with his own toys than with inappropriate objects;
- Control of anxiety and irritation by being able to stay at home;
