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.)
