Long
before dogs were domesticated they lived wild in family units called
packs. Each pack had a leader. There was only ever one leader of a
pack. A dog that disobeyed the pack leader was severely punished,
even to the point of death. Domestic dogs have retained some of
their wild instincts and one of these is the need to know who the
leader of their pack is. Dogs can become very confused if there is
any doubt as to who this leader is or what the boundaries are.
Just
as in the wild, there can only be one leader of a pack. You, as the
owner of the dog, should always be the leader of the pack. Your dog
will be much more confident and secure in the knowledge that he or
she doesn’t have to be the leader. It will take the pressure of the
dog and he will know where he stands in the scheme of things.
How do
you establish yourself as the leader of the pack? It’s quite simple
– with thorough and consistent training. Your dog will realize his
position and will know that to obey is the law.
Even a
young puppy can be started on the road to obedience and can easily
be trained to sit, lay down, stay and other simple training
techniques. Training should begin immediately so that your new
puppy can learn who the leader of his pack is. When a dog is not
properly trained, it can pose a hazard to the dog as well as the
owner. A priority should be to teach your puppy not to bolt out the
front door whenever you open it. Imagine how easy it would be for
your dog to run out the door and into the road. Imagine how you
would feel if your dog was killed by an automobile that couldn’t
stop in time. Another necessary habit to learn is how not to jump
up on your guests whenever they arrive. Not everyone likes dogs and
even if they do, they do not want to be scratched by his claws or
have dog hair all over their expensive new outfit. Your puppy
should also be taught how to walk to heel on a leash so that once he
is grown and much larger than he used to be, he won’t pull you on
the leash and possibly hurt you.
A
well-behaved dog is a happy dog and far less inclined to become
anxious. He will know his boundaries and he will also know that you
are in charge and he will have far less stress as a result.
Well-mannered dogs do not show aggression or bark and snarl at
people, which can be very disconcerting for your guests.
If the
idea of training your dog is daunting, there are many good books
available on the subject and the internet is an excellent resource.
There are also reputable businesses that will help you to train your
dog.
Just
as nobody likes to be around a spoiled child, nobody likes to be
around a dog who acts like a spoiled brat and who may pose a threat
to others. Elm Hill Labradors strongly urges that responsible pet
parents train your puppy to be an obedient, well-behaved dog.
