Tips for becoming the pack leader

bosshogg · #1 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 11:03 PM

most of this comes from the brilliant Cesear Millian( i will quote what is from his site) and i thought it may help some of you on here to, what he teaches is how to become the pack leader as even after millions of years of been bred in captivity the dogs main behaviours still goes back to when there lived in the wild, i hope this helps you and your dogs have a better life together.

OK first a little something about the dog in the wild, to help you understand where it all started

all dogs are directly descended from the Canis Lupus or commonly the grey wolf, as most of you will know from watching wildlife programmes there live in "packs" the pack has a leader and his mate, then there is a very strict social order below them with only the pack leaders mating and producing pups, these dogs will be higher in ranking than lower adults. there will hunt as a pack each knowing what there have to do basically what there job is.

once the hunt has been completed the top ranking pair will eat there fill, then the dogs below them and so forth till the bottom ranking dogs get what's left.

you may ask what this has to relate to your pet dog sat on the sofa with his legs in the air, well that dog still needs a pack to be a happy well balanced dog, but you are his pack!

when a puppy is born his mother is the pack leader and teaches him rules boundaries and limitation's (RBL'S)as his mother isn't there when he comes to you at 8 -10 weeks you must become the leader and teach him the RBL'S

Quote:

Rules, boundaries, and limitations
1. Dogs need to know that their pack leader is clearly setting the rules, boundaries and limitations for their life both inside and outside the house.
2. Anger, aggression, or abuse toward the dog will not establish you as pack leader; an angry, aggressive leader is not in control. Calm-assertive energy and daily, consistent leadership behaviour will make enforcing the rules easier.

RBL's are very important and must be taught at an early age to help get the pack structure.

Quote:

A pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy, so neither should you. In the wild, the pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to influence how the dog interacts with his surroundings. She enforces these laws in a quiet way, as is the case when a mother picks up a puppy by the scruff of the neck if he strays outside the den. Ownership of territory is very important. Dogs in the wild claim space by first asserting themselves in a calm and confident way, and then communicating this ownership through clear body language signals and eye contact. A dog who understands that you, as the pack leader, own the space in which he lives will respect your asserted authority.
Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position – puppies wait to eat, and adult dogs wait until the pack leader wants them to travel. Waiting is a form of psychological work for the dog. Domestication means dogs don’t need to hunt for food, but they can still work for it.
Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work. Take him on a walk before you feed him. And just as you don’t give affection unless your dog is in a calm-submissive state, don’t give food until your dog acts calm and submissive. Exercise will help the dog, especially a high-energy one, to achieve this state.
In all of these ways, the pack leader in nature sets rules, boundaries, and limitations for her pack, and in doing so, nurtures her dog’s healthy state of mind

once you have RBLS sorted you are on the way to having a happy well balanced pack.

also it is very important to Exercise, discipline, and affection… in that order –

Exercise- a dog needs at least an hours walk a day this helps to relase the dog from pent up energy and stress

Quote:

Master the walk – The walk is an extremely important ritual for a dog. It needs to take place a minimum of twice a day, for at least thirty to forty-five minute each time, so that both the dog’s mind and its body are given a workout. This means the dog walks next to the owner or behind him/her – not pulling ahead. If a dog is “walking” a human, the dog perceives itself as pack leader at that moment, and the human is not in control.

discipline- when a dog does something out of line it is your responsibility to correct him as the pack leader, i don't mean physically beat your dog it means telling him he has done wrong if he barks when someone walks to the door step in front of him put your hand out and make the "shhhssss" sound while stepping towards him this tells the dog there is no need for that behaviour and as your the pack leader you will deal with the intruder, this is known as non abusive discipline.

affection- once your dog has calmed into a submissive state praise your dog if he starts to get wound up cease affection he has to learn that he will only gain affection from you when he is calm.

if you do these things and become a pack leader and give your dogs RBLS you will have a happy well balanced dog

i can only stress what i quote from Cesar Millians site below

Quote:

Humanizing a dog – Many owners make the well-intentioned mistake of thinking of their dogs as children. I advise people to try to see the world through a dog’s eyes. Cute outfits, fancy dog food, and a millionaire’s mansion will not make for a happy dog. Regular exercise, a strong stable pack leader, and affection that’s earned will result in a dog that’s calm and balanced.

ok sorry if this has made no sense and has just been a long rambling post

but i would just like to add this from cesar site about feeding and routines as i think it is important and is what i do with my pack

Quote:

Domestication has made it possible for dogs to receive their food without having to hunt it down themselves, but it’s still in their nature to feel the need to work for it. Before my dogs eat, I take them for a walk. In this way, I ask my dogs to work for food and water. This is a form of waiting, which is psychological exercise that helps nurture a balanced, happy dog. The morning routine should look like this:

You project calm-assertive energy before you give your dog affection.
You walk your dog to exercise her body and allow her to explore the world.
When you get home, prepare her food.
While you fill the bowl, ask your dog to sit.
If she sits quietly and projects calm-submissive energy with no negative behaviors, place the bowl of food in front of her.

Some of my clients think this routine sounds too rigid, but from your dog’s perspective, it is instinctual. Focusing the mind and body brings the dog back into a more natural, balanced state.

and a bit about bad feeding routines

Quote:

Food carries a powerful message in the dog world. Puppies work for food by waiting patiently for their mother. This is a form of psychological exercise, and it’s important for a healthy state of mind. Domestication has brought about a change in the way dogs receive their meals and in the way they behave before mealtime. Dogs will often become excited, anxious, or aggressive at the prospect of being fed. If you feed your dog when he displays negative behaviors, you are reinforcing the behavior, and it will almost certainly reoccur.
I feed many dogs at the same time with no problems. Dogs that show calm-submissive energy get to eat first, and dogs that show negative behaviors such as aggression or nervousness must wait. When these dogs project calm-submissive energy, I reward them with their meal - much like their mother or pack leader would do.
Mealtimes are a useful tool to help you connect with your dog and work to shape his demeanor. Make sure your dog has reached a calm-submissive state before you place the food bowl in front of him. By doing so, you are not only providing him with nutrition, you are helping him lead a balanced and happy life.

and finally a link to Cesar Millian's site Welcome to Cesar Millan's Official Web Site

bluetongued · #2 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 11:43 PM

I told my Dad about his TV show when he and Mum got two Jack russell puppies earlier in the year...he has become Cesar!!!
He even has the long stick for walking....when he gets a pair of those funky roller blades I might have to tell him enough is enough (he is 69!!)!!!

They do have two very well behaved dogs and are most deffinatly the pack leaders!

I am going to get him one of those 'Pack leader' T. shirts they sell for the summer.

I on the other hand have always been pack leader to my dogs even before I had heard of him....I just watch it because I think he is my dream man

ssserpentine · #3 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 11:52 PM

ahhh finally!...someone who thinks the same as me

when i first saw him i had to tell evvveerrryyyone i new who had dogs about him lol...i even had to add him on myspace lmao

he is brill tho, love his shows, n both his books make good reading!!!

bluetongued · #4 (**permalink**) 02-05-2008, 11:57 PM

When my 7 year old daughter is telling her Dad to use 'Calm-assertive energy '.

WITH the Cesar accent..I have to laugh!!

charliet · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluetongued

When my 7 year old daughter is telling her Dad to use 'Calm-assertive energy '.

WITH the Cesar accent..I have to laugh!!

LOL.

Great post bosshogg. Perhaps it should be made a sticky?

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