If doorways aren't the answer to leadership, what is?

So, if going through the door isn't the way to gain leadership over my dog, what is?  Should I eat first?  Do Alpha Rolls?  Maybe I should never let him stand above me when I'm laying on the floor. 

To be honest, I don't think there is any ONE thing you can do that makes your dog respect you or see you as a leader for them.  In general, I believe in requiring politeness and manners around the house and not allowing dogs to get things in life by being pushy or barking.  And, don't forget, not every dog is walking around trying to figure out how to take over the world or even just your house!  We probably think about leadership a lot more than most dogs do because it's been drilled into our heads in the popular media that we need to establish dominance over our dogs.  That said, there are some things that can contribute to a well-run house:

1. Hand feed your dog or puppy throughout the day.  Rather than putting food in a bowl and letting your dog scarf it down, hand feed your dog its meals throughout the day as reinforcers for looking at you when you say its name, coming when called, sitting politely instead of jumping up, or performing a trick like shake or roll over.  Remember, control the assets (food) and you'll control the behavior!
2. Never respond to demand barking or jumping up.  If your dog or puppy is jumping on you or barking at you to get something it wants, leave the room!  Rude manners make me leave!
3. Require pleases and thank yous!  Okay, this one isn't quite accurate because I rarely require a thank you from my dog.  I always require a please, though!  Dogs can say please for things they want (there are those all important assets again!) by sitting, doing a roll over, performing a down stay, or touching a target on cue.  Any trained behavior can serve as a "please" to earn an asset (going outside in the yard, coming up on your lap for petting, having a toy thrown, getting you to put a food bowl down).

Remember, you're the one with the opposable thumbs and big brain!  Use those to your advantage. 

Cara, Buddy's Chance, LLC Austin Dog Training, Dog Behavior, and Dog Daycare

Comments

[Lisa B]

Can I just add that I think many dogs are very glad to have consistent and firm but fair leadership from their humans? I think a lot of behavior problems come from dogs not knowing what choices to make or how to deal with a situation. When we show them that doing the right thing is rewarding and that we are looking out for them, I think it takes away some of the anxiety that can cause them to make the wrong choices.

Thanks for blogging about this topic--I think that some of the confusion about leadership and "dominance" causes people to get into an unnecessarily adversarial relationship with their dogs.