Dog Training

Underlying Principles: Why you must redirect the dog’s behavior. Dogs run in packs, just like wolves. They interact socially with members of the group they live with. Even if dogs are capable of vocalizing, most of their communication is done with facial expressions, smell, body language, and occasional body contact. These types of communication are innate in dogs and are extremely important to establish a social hierarchy.

This hierarchy attributes reference value and classifies elements in an empirical order within this value. This hierarchy insures survival of the species, as well as harmony with individuals within the group. Each individual holds a social tendency, and can change at any time; in fact, it changes all the time. It varies according to the group of individuals involved (humans and/or canines), of the place as it now stands (ex: the arrival of a child, a visitor, a new environment, a member leaves the place in question, in the car, etc..) Occupying a high rank in the hierarchy does not depend only on size, but rather on behavior patterns. These tendencies ensure balance and cooperation within the pack.

Each pack has a dominant, or “alpha” dog. He fact that the dog holds the position of dominance is attributed to height, hormones, strength and intelligence. The alpha dog detains the privilege of being first at accessing the food source, having first choice of female, as well as the best resting spot. Any young dog that confronts the dominant dog and wins automatically takes his place within the pack.

To a degree, dogs consider humans as members of the pack. Consequently, if the dog does not respect the human’s authority, problems are likely to arise. If a young dog does not receive a clear sign of authority on the part of the master and the family, he will attempt to climb the hierarchical ladder and steal the position of “alpha” dog. Later on in his development, he will become disobedient and delinquent.