The first question every dog owner asks when it comes to taking control of their household and claiming alpha leadership is what this will do for their dog. Will it actually help them stop their behaviours? Just consider the behaviours that the activities you’re about to read about have been able to help with:
- Keeping Your Dog off the Couch
- Showing Aggression Over their Food Bowl
- Pulling on the Leash During a Walk
- Jumping on People at the Door
- Barking when You Leave the House
- Aggressiveness Toward Other Dogs
- Trying to Get in the Front Seat of the Car
- Chewing on Your Shoes or Socks
- Barking in the Middle of the Night (when there isn’t a threat)
- Showing Undue Fear or Fixation on Things Like Cats, Baths, or Cars
Your dog is a smart animal, but it is an animal first and foremost. As you develop the skills to act like the dominant animal in your own home, you’ll be able to show your dog that these behaviours are not okay.
One of the most commonly cited successes when it comes to alpha leadership is that a dog will stop trying to get on the couch. Why is that? It’s because you’ve managed to claim that space for yourself. Your dog will respect that the couch is now your space, deferring to your judgment on when they are allowed to be up there.
The same will hold true for your bed, the car seats, and your shoes. It’s amazing how adept dogs can be at recognizing and respecting when your space has been claimed. But, before they will respect those boundaries, you need to set the boundaries. That’s what we’ll be working on.
