Natural Leadership Training

What Leadership Training Means 

Leadership training is based on the principles of social order and structure, also known as a pecking order.  In leadership training it is believed that many behavior problems exist because of an inconsistent social order.  This social order consists of everyone and anything that the animal is involved with and the environment which it lives in everyday. 

Leadership training focuses on how you as an animal guardian can be a great consistent and respected leader within this social order.  Leadership training should not be confused with dominant training methods to become the alpha leader.  Some dominant training methods are the alpha roll over, direct eye stare, shaking the animal or forcing him into submission.  In a wild natural state, these dominant behaviors are only used by wild animals as a last resort, and not as a way of training or communicating with each other.  There are many other civilized ways our animals and wild animals relate to each other and this is done by reading body language, understanding social ritual and avoiding confrontation.  It is important in leadership training that you and other humans in your family appear as assertive, dependable, consistent and non confrontational leaders who know the posturing and social rituals that make sense for a particular species.  A good leader is always CALM, CONSISTENT and CONFIDENT. 

Once you and the other family members have established a strong leadership base, many problem behaviors go away.  It is amazing how easy the animals can be trained, because they are doing what they want to do not because they are being forced to do it. 

Basic Principles of Leadership Training 

Taking Charge

Taking charge is not a matter of choice.  Since dogs are pack animals, you and your family are now their pack. As far as your dog is concerned, no pack can exist without a leader and it’s either you or him. That’s the way it has to be.” Quoted from The Canine Good Citizen by Wendy & Jack Volhard.  We are responsible for the well being of our animals and for their safety. This means we must be in charge.  A good leader is self-assured, instructions are clear and direct.  A good leader is fair, consistent, and patient and teaches without force. 

Control the Food

Controlling a dog’s food is one of the most important factors in establishing leadership because it literally means survival for them. That is why it is so important for them to understand that the food comes from you as the leader.  Humans and canines alike both understand very well that who ever controls the resources is the one in charge!  Free feeding (using self feeders or leaving a bowl full of food all the time) sends the message to the dog that the resource is always there and they are the ones controlling it.  Trainers and Veterinarians find free feeding to be the cause of many behavioral issues and a hard way to monitor if your dog is sick and gone off its food.  You can create an appropriate feeding schedule that will instill leadership by feeding your dog at least twice a day ( puppies more often depending on the age) and only allowing them to have approximately 10-15 minutes too eat the food you have offered to them.  Making them wait or sit for their food helps to teach them respect.  If they have not finished within this time frame you pick the food up and they do not have a chance to eat more until the next scheduled feeding time.  A dog’s physiology is designed for them to gobble their food, so they have no excuse not to eat as long as they are healthy.  If a child doesn’t eat their dinner that we have worked hard to prepare for them, we look at it as disrespectful.  Dogs are no different.  A regular feeding schedule also makes for more regular potty times which will help with housetraining.  Once your dog starts regarding you as the source of food you can really use treats to motivate them when it comes to training.  Remember the same rule is applied with treats.  Your dog should gobble their treats.  If pig ears, peanut butter kongs, rawhides or other treats like milk bones are laying around not being eaten then it is time to take them away. Dogs with food guarding issues may need to be hand fed and then slowly taught to eat their food from a bowl.  They also should not be allowed to have bones or rawhide type treats until you know you can take them away without negative reactions.  You must ignore and not give treats or food to a dog that is whining, barking or begging for food (even no eye contact) until they calm down and are quiet. Do remember to give treats and praise for things that your dog is doing right!

Play, Exercise and Mental Stimulation

People often underestimate the importance of these three aspects of a dog’s life.  Different breeds will have different needs regarding how much play, exercise or mental stimulation they require but in most cases it does not happen enough!  For the humans too!  A tired dog is a good dog.  Plenty of exercise and training will help to tire them out.  Training can be done throughout your day by asking them to wait, sit or even do tricks for their mealtime, going outside, through doorways, coming out of the car and the list goes on.  Making them work for the little things will create a lot of mutual respect.  Toys and play time can be used to help establish leadership because a good leader is the source of all that is valuable, such as fun.  Always be the one that initiates play and ends it as well. If your dog is getting too excited and nippy then it is time to end play.  Have some special toys that you are in charge of which means they only come out when you interact with your dog.  A dog that guards their toys from humans or other dogs should not be allowed free access to them.  They should not be allowed to have them until you know that you can take them away without a negative reaction from the dog. Some exercise ideas that you can do with your dog are walking ( try putting a backpack with full water bottles for an extra workout), rollerblading, skijoring, agility, trick training, carting, sledding, tracking, fetch, daycare, treadmill, play games such as hide and seek, fly ball, frisbee, special IQ toys, herding, hiking and swimming.  Use your imagination.

Personal Space and Permission

Just like everyone in a household, rules and boundaries make for a structured family unit and sometimes we forget that the dog(s) is part of this family unit.  We all need personal space including the dog(s). Dogs let us know that they want personal space by ignoring us, snarling or by just giving us a certain look.  The dog should respect our space as we respect theirs.  A dog that is pushy or a space invader needs to learn to back off by teaching them some basic obedience commands, ignoring the behavior or gently pushing them away.  A leader is the one who dictates who is allowed where so when it comes to jumping on furniture or going through doorways etc… your dog should look to you for permission.  Most dogs are ok to be on the furniture or bed as long as YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM PERMISSION TO DO SO.  If they jump on the furniture without permission or have gone into a room without permission they should gently and consistently be removed and or given a no command and removed.  Once they have settled down and are acting appropriately then you can ask them.  Some very dominant or aggressive dogs may never be allowed on the furniture or bed even if given permission because this increases their status and control of things.  Extra caution and professional training is needed for any dog that is snarling, growling or biting when being asked to move.  How often have you caught yourself walking over your dog when they are in the way?  This is another way that they use to control space, so ask them to move out of your way.  Don’t forget those door ways.  You don’t have to be the first one out but make sure your dog waits patiently until you say it is ok for them to go through.

Reuniting and Social Interactions

Reuniting with your dog in an appropriate way is one of the simplest ways to really earn your dogs respect, teach manners and is the foundation for a great recall.  Many people greet their dogs by wooing and cooing, praising, petting and giving them all kinds of attention regardless of what the dog is doing.  In canine language a dog will go through certain rituals to establish its hierarchy every single time they unite with each other.  This occurs even if it has only been a few minutes of separation.  Remember that a good leader is always calm, consistent and confident.  Greeting your dog calmly, even ignoring them until they calm down will help establish your leadership and will diminish behavioral issues such as submissive urinating, jumping up, excess barking, and anxiety issues.  Once the dog has calmed down this is the time to practice your recall by calling them to you and then lavishly give them the attention that they have earned.

Leadership training helps to create structure and boundaries so your dog has an understanding of your expectations.  It will help create a mutual bond and wonderful relationship with your dog so hang in there and be patient.