Pack Behavior - Training ABC

Pack Behavior, is the key ingredient for you to ensure a happy dog, which knows his place in the pack, and help him become the loving and devoted animal you want him to be. 

Many anxiety problems all types of dogs, big and small, suffer from are avoidable with the correct pack behavior language from you, such as:

Dog Separation Anxiety      Dog Poop Eating      Dog Wetting

Pack language is essentially establishing you as the Alpha dog in the family. Your tiny tot may only be a few inches high, but if you don't teach him his place with Alpha dog training, he may very confused.  He could think he is the pack leader and when your language does not match his, he can become a very confused puppy, unhappy and anxious and display a variety of destructive symptoms.

The Top Dog is you, then your other family members, then your little pooch is at the bottom of the pile.  He won't be unhappy being the least important in terms of pack status.  On the contrary, he will be happy and content knowing his role and where he is in the pack order.

Start Alpha Dog Training as soon as you get your puppy home.

Whilst training, you need to be consistent in your behavior.  When your dog responds positively to his position in life, you can relax the rules as time goes on and your dog matures.

Basic Rules of Pack Behavior

• Always feed your dog after you.   Even if you have a small snack (or pretend to eat a little bit of his food!)  The pack leader ALWAYS eats first.  He will know this instinctively and this is your first, very easy, lesson.
• Never feed your little pooch from the table.
• Always expect a reward from your little baby, before his is fed.  Make him sit, give paw or any other form of thanks.  He must know his food is his reward for good behavior.
• If he has not finished his food within 10 minutes,  remove the food till the next feeding time.  He must not be allowed to decide how much to eat. Pack Behavior is essential with eating, he must know if he does not eat he will starve!
• Do not leave a "self feeding" dispenser for your dog.  Firstly he could easily become obese, but more importantly he must know that you are the leader who decides where and when he can eat.
• Give your dog a tasty treat and while he is eating it, remove it.  He must not growl, he must be totally accepting that it is your decision that he may or may not have the snack.

• When walking your sweetie on a leash, you lead.  If he pulls ahead, he is trying to take over as leader.  The Alpha dog leads the pack and so should you.
• You decide when he is allowed to stop and smell the roses.  He may not eliminate unless you allow him to.  Stop him from doing his business by pulling on the leash and take him just a little further, then give him the command that he may.  You should have a trigger word, see Puppy Potty Training.
• When going through a doorway or any narrow access, such as a staircase, you go first, he follows.

• All his toys belong to you.  You decide when he is allowed to play with any toy. 
• Remove his toys whilst playing, to establish the pack leader status.  When you return the toy, make him sit, re-enforcing the fact that it is your decision not his.
• No biting is allowed.  If he bites, stop playing.  Resume playing and if he bites (even in play) stop, say NO.  Repetitive reinforcement may be necessary but he will get the hang of it.  Any bad behavior is punished with you stopping fun time.
• In the early stages of Pack Behavior Training, do not permit your dog to pull at any toy while playing.  No tug-of-war allowed as it is seen as a way of competing for dominance.

• One of the most important lessons.  Ignore your dog when leaving and coming home.  Just for a few minutes. This is vital to avoid Dog Separation Anxiety the commonest of all Dog Behavior problems.
• No matter how cute your little angel is, and they are!  Don't allow him to decide when he will be picked up or cuddled.  If he jumps up, make him wait until he has stopped jumping, then make him sit, before picking him up.
• Introduce him to visitors, to make him accepting of your friends and family.  Your dog is not allowed to bark, or worse, nip at your visitors.  Many small dog breeds are culprits of this habit.

• Ideally, especially in the initial training phase, do not let your dog sleep on your bed or the sofa.  The Alpha Dog has the most comfortable bed.  He should sleep in his own comfortable bed, but below your level.
• If you do allow him on your bed, as many small dogs are our constant companions and lap dogs, make sure he has his spot near your feet on the bed, and must not take over by sleeping on your pillow.
• If he is lying on the floor, usually under our feet in the kitchen, either make him move out of your way, or step over him.  Do not walk around him.

Other dog behavior related Articles: 

Basic Dog Training - Education is Key

Puppy Potty Training - Your first Gift to your Dog

Dog Behavior Training - Dogs will be Dogs

Dog Poop Eating - What's for Desert

Dog Wetting - Pleased to meet you!

Return from Pack Behavior to Dog Behavior Modification

When your precious pooch has learnt his place in your home, you can relax all these rules, but if he shows any bad behavior, re-establish the correct Pack Behavior, implement the suggestions above until you feel your dog is happy in his place in the pack.

Remember YOU are the Top Dog

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