by Carmel Brulez

Created on: October 09, 2009   Last Updated: October 10, 2009

A human can be a pack leader to dogs. I have had lots of dogs for many years and always have at least 5 dogs here. I have tried many different breeds. It is obvious to me that they need a leader. It is not something that we force onto them because we want them to behave in a manner to pleases us and is acceptable to us, it is something they NEED. They would be unhappy without it. Some are more obviously needy of a leader than others, but all of them look for a leader. If the human does not provide this leadership for them they look to whichever of the dogs they share the home with to be the stronger more assertive and confident one to look up to and to become their leader. Some dogs are naturally gentle and shy and need a leader more than the confident ones, but every one of them responds in a positive way and is happier for to being led.

We tend to think that training a dog is somehow bullying him or forcing him to have a certain form of behaviour. Because we ourselves would hate to be told what to do. Can you imagine if we were being told when to fetch, sit, stand, turn around or sit still?! We would hate every minute of it. Dogs are different. They feel a need to behave in a way that is acceptable to their owner or leader. They often get opportunities to misbehave and only do so if they feel it is acceptable and do not realise that it is bad behaviour in our eyes. This is where people like Cesar Millan can show us that a dog expects certain things from us. We have no right to expect the dog to behave in a way that is acceptable to us, if we do not also behave in a way that is acceptable to the dog. By showing the dog leadership we become acceptable in his or her eyes.

When a dog rips a book to shreds or wees on the carpet it is not because he is misbaving, it is because we have allowed him to think we want him to do that or it is alright to do that. If the dog knows not to he will not. Because he wishes to please, not because he is scared of being chastisted or hit. Dogs are often the most trusting of souls, and do not think of being punished when they do things.

Cats are the pets that do their own thing and are their own master. Dogs love to please. They just need us to tell them in which ways.

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