Understanding Psychology Of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Establishing Control
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of dog training and understand the pack hierarchal system of dogs, we must go back and examine their ancestor - wolves.
Wolves live naturally in packs of at least 2 and more... They live in a dictatorship system with strictly defined hierarchies of males and females. In their system, a leader - usually always a male, the biggest and toughest wolf also known as alpha leader would be in charge of the pack and will have the right to everything. The rest of the dogs in the pack would be followers and follow their leader willingly. This hierarchy system is not static and would change when another dominant member challenge the leader's authority and win.
For your dog, your family is the pack and every member is part of the hierarchy system. From the moment a new puppy or dog is introduce to the family, the new dog will start to pick up signals and indicators to figure out his own status in the family and whos in charge. If your dog see you as a "alpha leader", he will follow your commands willingly and this will allows you to train him easily.
On the other hand, if your dog is very dominant (because you allow him to pick up the wrong signals) and starts to challenge your "alpha leader" position, he may refuse to follow your command and turn aggressive against you easily. This situation usually happens in children where dogs see their chain of command higher than that of them. This also explains why children suffer more dog bites than adults do.
If you would prefer to own an obedient dog that pay attention to your command, assuming the role of the alpha leader and establishing control over your dog is extremely important!
Your dog must learn that he is the lowest ranking in the family, subordinate to you, to the children, and must recognize you to be the leader. If such hierarchy is not set up properly, the dog will try to take charge and assume the role of the leader. Thisll eventually lead the dog to turn into dominant dog and thus tend to misbehave. If this happens, youll face an uphill task to properly train your dog.
As we live in a democratic society, most of us will find it hard to understand the dogs concept of dictatorship. Nevertheless, it is necessary that we adjust ourselves to understand how the dog live and think. By being dictating, you would think that this is cruel or even inhumane to the dog. If you think so, you are very wrong!
In fact, dogs are more than happy to be a follower and taking instructions from a leader. You have to give your dog directions, organize his space and activities for him, and hell be more clued-up and know his boundaries of life, which means knowing what is expected of him when hes indoor or outdoor.
Your dog will be able to lead a less stressful and happy life and so will you.
Moses Chia is the webmaster of DogsObedienceTraining.com. He provides more helpful information on dog obedience training, dog training book reviews and dog illness symptoms interpretation that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.
Written By: Moses Chia
 findingDulcinea | Hot dogs spark 'patriotism' row in US Expressindia.com, India - Washington, August 28: A campaign to ban hot dogs from school menus has sparked a 'patriotism' row in the United States, where the meat is considered an ... Hot dogs spark patriotism row in US Hot Dogs Cause Cancer, Says Ad Aimed at Kids Hot Dog Attack Ad Raises Questions |
Richt: Dogs in title talk to stay Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA - ... he said, when he talks to recruits in Georgia and, perhaps more importantly, in other states nowadays, they’re usually pretty interested in the Dogs. ... |
 Dog Flu Diet and Diseases | Sterile Feral volunteers help dogs seized from West Virginia puppy ... Rome News-Tribune, GA - The rescue was necessitated after Whispering Oak Kennel’s owner surrendered 1000 purebred dogs that were suffering from neglect. Jane Berry hugs a dachshund ... Video: Raw Video: 1,000 Dogs Rescued From W.Va. Kennel Help Needed With Dogs Seized at Puppy Mill Va. Beach SPCA to care for 100 dogs from alleged puppy mill |
Diogenes on "The dogs are barking, just keep going" Independent, UK - If you hear dogs, keep going. If you see torches in the woods, just keep going. If they shout at you, keep going. Don’t ever stop, just keep going. ... |
 Seattle Post Intelligencer | Watchdogs Question ‘Blue Dog’ Ethics In Light of Business ... CQPolitics.com, DC - By Alan K. Ota, CQ Staff House “Blue Dog” Democrats are drawing attention at this week’s convention by partying with lobbyists and keeping presidential ... AT&T Throws ‘Exclusive Party’ For Blue Dog Democrats Who Helped ... AT&T has high profile presence at Dem convention AT&T’s lavish spending at convention stirs ire of watchdogs and ... |