Auntie Al’s Dog Training Services

A Gentle Touch - Outstanding Results

604-868-0341

  Alix Balfour - Trainer

As Grows the Dog, So Should the Boundaries...

But the Rules Remain the Same

Dogs are pack animals.  In the wild they live in packs, each pack with its own territory and leader, and the leader makes all the rules.  The leader is called the alpha.  The role of the alpha is to protect the pack, to always be on the lookout for danger, to ensure the safety of the group as a whole.  To accomplish this the alpha has to have very strict rules.  Roughhousing and roaming amongst pack members are allowed only after the all-clear has been given.  Roughhousing is an important, necessary part of a pup's education, it teaches fighting skills, self-defense, submission signals, bite inhibition, etc.  But if the roughhousing gets out of hand, an elder will step in and put an end to it.  If a pup wanders too far from the group, the pup is picked up by the scruff of the neck and returned.  Pups are given a very specific area to play in and only as they begin to prove themselves able to follow the rules are they allowed to roam further. 

But the rules remain the same no matter how far from home the dogs roam.  When the alpha says "Quiet", the pack is quiet.  When the alpha says "You may move about", the pack moves about.  As time goes on, the pup comes to learn that it has to do what the alpha says, all the time.  But the pup does so willingly because the pup understands its livelihood is being looked out for, food and security will be provided, that the only thing the pup has to concern itself with is relaxing; eating, playing, sleeping.  In time the pup becomes a full grown working member of the pack with an established place and rank.  But it still has to follow the rules of the alpha.  If a dog wants to rule its own world badly enough, it either fights the current alpha for the position or it leaves the pack, hopefully encouraging a couple of pack mates to go along.  This is the way of the dog pack, all dogs know it.

When you get your dog, regardless of its age, when first introducing it to the neighborhood, don't go far from your front door.  By walking back and forth over the same territory you accomplish a few things:

• You allow the dog to become familiar with the most immediate surroundings, firmly identifying "home".

• The familiarity helps lessen the ever-annoying pulling on leash of the over-stimulated dog.  If you're only walking twenty, thirty feet either side of your door, back and forth, back and forth, in a slow, calm manner employing proper leash handling, the dog will start pulling less and less because the territory remains the same, "Yes, I've already smelled this grass and peed on it."  There are no surprises.

• The dog learns to eliminate within a short period of time after going outside.  Dogs choose areas to eliminate in and given the opportunity, return to the same spots.  By initially only walking on your block, the place of choice becomes right outside your door.  When you go out, the dog knows the walk is going nowhere, may as well get things done right away.  The beauty of this is that you can more easily maneuver the dog's needs to your own.  Let's say your boss calls, you need to go to work an hour early.  You take the dog outside, pop!, there it is and you're free to go, knowing that the dog is empty and comfortable.

• You use this time of introduction to teach the dog that you're in charge.  By keeping your dog on a leash, you are able to very calmly keep the dog at your side, using time and familiarity to bond with your dog.  Use a warm voice, a gentle hand, praise your dog.

• By walking past your door, back and forth, back and forth, the dog loses association to the front door.  People who take their dogs for actual walks around the neighborhood often struggle with dogs anxious to return to the security of home..  Dogs new to an area are unsure and skittish of their surroundings.  Dog owners walk predictable routes.  As soon as the dog figures out the route for home, the pulling becomes extreme and the struggle is on.  Stay home, on your block and across the street.  Use the familiarity of repetitive surface identification (sniffing the same things over and over) to help the dog relax.  If the dog needs exercise and you know it won't walk well on-leash, drive the dog to a park, even if it's only one block away.  Put the dog on a twenty-foot long line ensuring that the dog can't run away and have fun.  Use every opportunity to educate your dog.  Teach that there are boundaries to all activities but that there are rewards too - balls thrown, walks taken, swims at the beach, playtime with other dogs.  And remember - your love and praise is the best reward of all.

Remember - Very Important

A dog is a dog.  That is a specific species unto itself, just like humans are their own species.  A human would never send its child to school to be educated by a giraffe because a human is not a giraffe.  A human is not going to expect a giraffe to be able to teach a human the things he will need to know in order to get through life.  No, the child is taught by another human, we would never consider otherwise.  Please remember this when communicating with your dog.  Although your dog recognizes that there is communication happening between you and that there is some familiarity to it, the dog will not naturally look to you as its teacher because you are not a dog.  It will take time and proper leadership on your part for the dog to come to look to you as the alpha.  In the meantime, if the humans in charge are not adequately proving that they are in charge, a dog will assume the role of rule-maker and the next thing you know you have a dog that won't come when you call, chases cats, gets into the garbage and pees on the bed.

A dog is a dog.  Time and proper leadership will blend your lives together beautifully but you will still be a human.  Do your dog a huge favor and make sure it has multiples of dog friends.  This is called socialization and is crucial to the emotional, intellectual growth of your dog.  Choose your dog friends wisely.  Watch people with their dogs, the body language.  Is the person in charge (in a positive way, not yelling or threatening) or is the dog ignoring the human, doing whatever it wants?  Listen to the tones of voice.  Does this person sound connected to their dog?  Dogs learn from dogs. If you make friends with people whose dogs are well-mannered, your dog will learn those mannerisms more easily.  If you pay attention you can actually see your dog watching the other dog, learning to emulate those good behaviors.  When you do, praise your dog. 

"Good dog."

 It's so simple and so effective.

Remember - Very, Very Important

The role of the alpha is to protect the pack.  When you hit your dog, or aggress in any violent manner, whether physical or vocal, you are acting in a manner contradictory to the techniques of a leader - an alpha is always in control.  If you're busy losing your mind, yelling, yanking on the leash, unable to properly "speak dog", your dog is less likely to trust in your ability to lead, an opinion that is further enhanced by your obvious inability to "read dog".  You can be sure the dog has been throwing you calming signals; looking away, yawning, yet your aggressive behavior continues.  Your dog has to be able to trust you.  Remain calm.  Learn to communicate using body language and praise your dog. 

"Good leave it, good dog."

"Good this way, good dog."

"Good dog."

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Last modified: 03/05/12