How
to Be the Leader Your Dog Needs
by Cheryl May © 2004
German shepherd dogs need strong, benevolent leaders. And leadership is earned in subtle ways. Here are my top 10 ways to establish yourself as leader of your pack.
The leader controls all good things: praise, petting, food, the best sleeping spots, etc. Unless you have a problem dog, you don't have to do these things 100 percent of the time. If your dog does have a problem, you will want to control the interactions all the time so that your dog works for praise, petting and food, and is not allowed in your sleeping space.
1. Control
petting
When your dog comes to you and nuzzles your hand, asking to be petted,
ask her to sit or down, or "shake hands" -- anything so that
you control the situation.
2. Teach
yielding
When you wish to move from one place in your home to another, if the dog
is in your way, don't walk around or step over. Shuffle your feet into
your dog. You may say "move" if your dog is asleep. If your
dog is awake, you need not say anything, just keep shuffling into your
dog. Do not apologize for having the dog move. At the same time, do not
hurt the dog in any way, simply move into her space.
3. Require
a down-stay each day
Begin with a short stay - one minute even - and progress to 20 minutes.
We call these TV downs because the dog is required to down and stay while
we watch a TV program.
4. Leaders
eat first
Even if all you do is munch a carrot, the message is clear to the dog:
the leader eats first.
5. Food
is provided by the leader
If your dog has food available all the time, I encourage you to establish
regular feeding times instead. If food is always available, the dog may
take it for granted. Instead, prepare the dog's food (to be served after
you have eaten) and ask the dog to sit and wait for you to place the food
on the floor.
6. Leaders
say what they mean ... once
Give each command in a confident, normal tone of voice. If the dog fails
to comply, help the dog do whatever you asked by physically positioning
her in a sit, or down, whatever you had requested. If your dog growls
at you when you try to handle her physically, STOP, and ask the advice
of an experienced trainer (one who is familiar with operant conditioning
-- NOT one who uses harsh methods).
7. Good
dogs permit their leaders to touch them without complaint
Because you never know what you might need to do to your dog in case of
emergency, and because you must handle your dog for normal grooming, it
is important to accustom her to physical handling everywhere on her body.
Touch ears, face, feet, toes, tummy (tummy rubs are great for this), and
tail. Again, if you have any trouble with this at all, do not force the
issue, consult an experienced trainer.
8. Leaders
control the best spots to rest and sleep
Some dogs can sleep on the bed without developing a problem. But if your
dog is "running for president," she should not be permitted
on the bed. If you want her to sleep in your bedroom, place a dog crate
in the room and each time you want her to go into the crate, toss a tasty
treat inside to make it a pleasant experience. We are not our dog's adversaries,
we are their leaders!
9. Leaders
control the games
Rough games may work fine with some dogs, but they also often lead to
out-of-control behavior, especially around children. It is very important
for the owner to control the toys. When the game is over, the leader has
the toy, even if you have to trade the toy for a tasty treat. And the
leader should decide when to start and stop the game.
10. Leaders
are fair
Dogs appreciate consistent leadership. It is easier for the dog to understand
that she is never allowed on the couch than to understand that sometimes
it is OK and sometimes not. Or if you allow the dog to take a piece of
bread off the counter, it is unfair to punish her if she decides to take
your steak. Be consistent in your expectations.