Best Pet Articles
Search

Understanding Psychology Of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Establishing Control

Web Search

Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of dog training and understand the pack hierarchal system of dogs, we must go back and examine their ancestor - wolves.

Wolves live naturally in packs of at least 2 and more... They live in a dictatorship system with strictly defined hierarchies of males and females. In their system, a leader - usually always a male, the biggest and toughest wolf also known as alpha leader would be in charge of the pack and will have the right to everything. The rest of the dogs in the pack would be followers and follow their leader willingly. This hierarchy system is not static and would change when another dominant member challenge the leader's authority and win.

For your dog, your family is the pack and every member is part of the hierarchy system. From the moment a new puppy or dog is introduce to the family, the new dog will start to pick up signals and indicators to figure out his own status in the family and who's in charge. If your dog see you as a "alpha leader", he will follow your commands willingly and this will allows you to train him easily.

On the other hand, if your dog is very dominant (because you allow him to pick up the wrong signals) and starts to challenge your "alpha leader" position, he may refuse to follow your command and turn aggressive against you easily. This situation usually happens in children where dogs see their chain of command higher than that of them. This also explains why children suffer more dog bites than adults do.

If you would prefer to own an obedient dog that pay attention to your command, assuming the role of the "alpha leader' and establishing control over your dog is extremely important!

Your dog must learn that he is the lowest ranking in the family, subordinate to you, to the children, and must recognize you to be the leader. If such hierarchy is not set up properly, the dog will try to take charge and assume the role of the leader. This'll eventually lead the dog to turn into "dominant dog" and thus tend to misbehave. If this happens, you'll face an uphill task to properly train your dog.

As we live in a democratic society, most of us will find it hard to understand the dog's concept of dictatorship. Nevertheless, it is necessary that we adjust ourselves to understand how the dog live and think. By being dictating, you would think that this is cruel or even inhumane to the dog. If you think so, you are very wrong!

In fact, dogs are more than happy to be a follower and taking instructions from a leader. You have to give your dog directions, organize his space and activities for him, and he'll be more clued-up and know his boundaries of life, which means knowing what is expected of him when he's indoor or outdoor.

Your dog will be able to lead a less stressful and happy life and so will you.

About the Author:
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner ofDogsObedienceTraining.com - The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog.

You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.


MORE RESOURCES:

Obesity just as dangerous for pets as for humans
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 9 hours ago
Just as with humans, obesity in pets can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and other health complications. ...
High-Tech Vet Medicine Saving Lives of Pets and People MarketWatch
all 7 news articles


Many reluctant to evacuate without pets
United Press International - 12 hours ago
8 (UPI) -- Forty-seven percent of US adults say they would refuse disaster rescue if it meant leaving without a family pet, American Humane Association ...
Still in Exile After Katrina, Humane Society From New Orleans ... MarketWatch
all 5 news articles


Pets left behind in foreclosed homes
The Union of Grass Valley, CA - 9 hours ago
When a tough economy forced people to foreclose on their homes or downsize to smaller apartments, the pet population took a hit, said staff at the county's ...


CBBC Newsround

Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - Sep 4, 2008
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
Tropical storm and disaster preparedness for pets Tri Parish Times
Keeping Your Pets Safe Before, During & After The Storm Local10.com
Gustav Pet Evacuations Show Katrina Lessons Learned National Geographic
Cay Compass - USA Today
all 446 news articles


Pets Hurt By Economy
AHN - 3 hours ago
Washington, DC (AHN) - Rising prices are hitting hard pet owners, pets and organizations that try to help. Pet owners, food pantries and animal shelters are ...


MARSEILLES: Blest Are They Blessed few pets brought to blessing
MyWebTimes.com, IL - 1 hour ago
Saturday afternoon there were definitely less pets present than you could shake a stick at. The turnout for the animal blessing behind the First ...


Tick plague peril puts bite on pets
Gold Coast News, Australia - 1 hour ago
PARALYSIS ticks have put an early bite into Gold Coast pets, signalling the start of a potentially perilous season. The G Care Animal Referral and Emergency ...


Ensure your pets aren't lost in the shuffle after your death
StarNewsOnline.com, NC - 5 hours ago
Let neighbors, friends and relatives know how many pets you have and who your emergency caregivers are. Carry a wallet 'alert card' with the names and phone ...


CBS4 Prompts Change In Keys Pet Evacuation Policy
CBS 4, FL - 22 hours ago
KEY WEST (CBS4.com) ― A mandatory evacuation order means it's not safe to stay at home, but many pet owners refuse to leave without their furry friends. ...
Monroe County residents can take pets to FIU shelter Sun-Sentinel.com
Evacuees Pack Into FIU CBS 4
all 4 news articles


Bedford’s shelter pets stars of ‘Furtastic Festival’
Lynchburg News and Advance, VA - 16 hours ago
They also have to have pets spayed or neutered within 30 days, if they are not already fixed. A local clinic will be on site Sept. ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map | SubArticle
© 2008