You Are The Boss!

Dogs are happy as long as someone is in charge. Like you might feel when you are in an airplane high in the sky. You don't feel a need to be the pilot but you will take over the controls if no one else will. Face it, you would be a lot happier knowing there is a pilot flying while you relax.

You have to assume command in your relationship with your dog. If you don't, the dog will. After millions of years surviving in the wild, wolves know someone has to be the leader. Much posturing takes place in the pack to ensure the most qualified dog is the pack leader. You have to do some posturing of your own. Owners who insist on being a friend to their dog and not being the boss often find themselves being controlled by their dog. Consider the case where the 26 pound terrier decided that the Lazy Boy recliner was his and would not let anyone take his spot. Any who reached toward the dog while he was in the chair would see bared teeth and and get a nasty snarl. Now imagine that is a 120 pound German Shepherd! Someone could get really hurt! The dog might ultimately be put down. It's a situation that can get out of hand and become quite tragic.

So you have to assume command, but how? When we were in school, bullies used to beat up the other kids to show them who was in charge. Everyone was afraid of the bullies and did their best to avoid them. Well, that is definitely not what you want for you and your dog!

There are better ways to stay on top of the org chart while increasing the level of trust and closeness you feel from your dog. Here are some techniques...

• Always eat first. Have your meal while your pup is in a down stay near you or at his bed.
• When you feed your dog, make him sit and stay first, put the bowl down, then give your dog the release cue to let him come to eat.
• Always go through doorways first, then turn and give your dog permission to follow you through.
• When opening the door to let the dog out, don't let him barge his way past you. Again make him sit and wait until you have fully opened the door and give the release when you decide.
• Same goes for letting the dog back in. Open the door and let the dog pass when you gesture to him that it's OK.
• Give tummy rubs, the dog rolling over and exposing his belly to you is a submissive gesture on his part. encourage it.

Don't let it get out of hand, If you do then try reign it back in you might get bitten! Call a pro if your dog becomes more aggressive than you feel safe handling. Be in charge from day one, your dog will be happier and more at ease letting you be the pilot!