P.O. Box 4478, Pasco, WA 99302

Mon - Fri 8am - 6:30pm | Sat 8am - 5pm

(509) 531-1130

Mon - Fri 8am - 6:30pm | Sat 8am - 5pm

Being a Respectful Leader

The most fundamental aspect of leadership is trust. Being a good leader means being consistent, fair, understanding, and in control. It is important to know that leadership and dominance are not the same thing. We do not have to be dominant to be good leaders. Good leaders are gentle but firm and are not pushovers. Leaders have an attitude of authority while maintaining mutual respect. Body posture, a clear voice, short cues, follow through, eye contact, and respect are things all good leaders possess.

Leaders control space, meals, recreation time, affection, and provide protection and care for their subordinates. Dogs need a leader and if one is not provided they will take the responsibility of the role themselves, even if they don’t want to. If a dog has taken over a leadership position it is possible to take it back. All people should be higher ranking than dogs and if there are households with multiple dogs the dogs can have their own pecking

order. Don’t try to make a dog a leader that doesn’t want to be one. Just because you bring a new dog into the home it doesn’t mean that the new dog is the lowest ranking. Things like injuries, health problems, old age, and other signs of what a dog would consider weakness can make leadership shift from one dog to another.

If you need to assert yourself as a leader here are some things you can try:

  • Create areas in the home that are off limits (rooms or furniture).
  • Feed meals on a schedule by a family member (sit for meals).
  • Set house rules and be consistent (all family members).
  • Quit roughhousing & playing tug.
  • Don’t feed table scraps or share food.
  • Sit means please (sit for attention etc.)

Share This Post

More To Explore

Puppy Socialization by Ian Dunbar

Ian Dunbar’s books offer a wealth of training information on potty training, socialization, and more.  I highly recommend that anyone with a puppy read these

Service Dog Legislation

The U.S. Department of Justice changed the Service Dog Laws associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) effective March 15, 2011. The updated law