East Valley K9 Services

DOG TRAINERS HELPING TO MAKE HAPPY, CONFIDENT, WELL-MANNERED DOGS

Leadership 101: Through a Dog’s Eyes (Part 1)

Name: East Valley K9 Training Services
Address: 4120 East Fairview Circle, Mesa, AZ, 85206, USA
Telephone: 480-382-0144
Price range: $$$

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A harmonious dog/human relationship is built upon a strong – and consistent – foundation of human leadership. Without the appropriate groundwork, your dog will not willingly give you respect or follow you as his leader.

Deep within your dog’s DNA, effective leadership ensures his survival. Although today, our dogs are domesticated with more secure, safe and comfortable lives, their natural behavior is still programmed for the ultimate survival of the pack. The pack offers confidence, security and safety. If you do not firmly and consistently establish yourself in the leadership role, your dog will, by default, assume the role his DNA has programmed for survival.

Whether you adopt a new puppy, a rescue dog or want to take back control with your current dog, it’s critical to establish your leadership. If you do not, behavioral issues and instability will begin to appear; especially if your dog is a born follower. If a “follower” feels obligated to take on the leadership role, they will become unbalanced and act out through negative, anxious and destructive behaviors.

Need our help with establishing your role as the alpha dog?

Join one of our training classes with a $10 discount during June!

Space is limited so register today at http://tinyurl.com/EastValleyK9-June!

In the Wild, Hierarchy Dictates Leadership

$C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\CaninesHaveANaturalHierarchy.jpg$ Canines, whether they are wolves, feral dogs or domesticated dogs, naturally follow a hierarchy – or pecking order – within the pack. This hierarchy defines how each K9 will interact with others within the pack.

Pack positions (or rankings) include the:

Alpha: The “top dog” or pack leader or top male/female couple; they lead, direct and protect the pack.
Betas: The dogs in the middle of the pack; they act as mediators between the alphas and omegas.
Omegas: The dogs at the rear of the pack; they watch and warn of impending danger.

No dog is equal to another and no dog is better than another dog.

These 3 pack groups (alphas, betas and omegas) are also broken into a pecking order with well-defined functions within the group. Each dog simply accepts – and fulfills – their necessary position within the pack leading to the overall security and safety of the entire pack. (The only time a dog’s rank inside the pack can change is when a member becomes ill or disabled, leaves the pack or another dog joins the pack.)

K9 Leadership is Not Harsh or Unreasonable

$C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\PackLeadershipBenefitsAllDogs.jpg$ Humans often confuse “leadership” with negative connotations of dominance, confrontation, yelling or being treated in a cruel, mean, unreasonable or overbearing manner.

In the canine world, leadership means a natural and protective structure for the good of the entire pack. Unnecessary force and retaliation are not part of the natural leadership structure for your dog, and it should never be part of your leadership style with your dog. You always want your dog to follow and obey you willingly, never out of fear.

Within the pack, trust and respect are established and maintained through consistent rules, boundaries and limitations. Your training and leadership should emulate this leadership process for clearer communication with your dog about what you specifically expect from him.

Leadership: Consistent Rules, Boundaries & Limitations

$C:\Users\Owner\Desktop\EstasblishHarmoniousLeadershipWithYourDog.jpg$ When we fulfill our leadership position as the alpha of our dog (or pack), our canines will naturally relax into feeling confident, secure and safe. Establishing harmonious leadership with your dog requires: