Dogs are a type of pack animal, and what this means is that dog training is different from training animals that are not pack animals by nature. In the wild, there is a social pecking order that dogs follow, and in this social pecking order, each dog has its own place, its own role, and its own standing that it is well aware of within the pack. Dogs are capable of rising and falling within this pecking order in time.
When the dog is young, however, the order is set by the mother of the dog as well as other dogs within the pack. The situation is similar within a home, where the human family members are perceived to be members of the pack, and the owner of the dog has to establish himself or herself as the leader of the pack in order to help the dog establish its role within that pack. Dog training is all about setting and reinforcing rules so that the dog does not grow up with behavioral issues and problems, and so that the dog knows its boundaries and does not overstep them.
Here are three great trips for dog training that will help your dog establish its place within the family at a young age so that rules and restrictions can be enforced and maintained while your dog grows up.
1 – Always make sure that you are the first person to go out the door. Your dog needs to let you pass through the door first before following, because you are the leader of the pack. This will establish a ranking order within your family pack, letting your dog know its position. If your dog tries to rush out ahead of you, then you need to block the way, using a firm “Stay” until your dog gives you the chance to walk out first.
2 – If your dog is in your way, acting as a road block, you should never go around your dog. Your dog needs to learn how to move so that someone higher up in the chain of command can be allowed to pass. Tell your dog to move out of the way, clapping your hands gently if needed. Make sure that this behavior is repeated as often as necessary so that your dog understands its place within your home.
3 – Finally, you should remember to praise your dog as often as possible when he or she has done something good. Dogs love to hear things like “Good girl” and “Good boy”, and they love to receive treats when they do good things. Soon, they will associate this comfortable actions with having done something good, and they will learn to take the right actions to earn praise, pets and treats from you. Make sure when you are training your dog that you always have treats on hand so that your dog will associate good behavior with nice rewards.
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