I can talk all day about how dogs are not humans and have natural inclinations, but we must also remember that dogs live in a human world and for all the natural inclinations they have, we also need to teach them to fear unnatural dangers and to behave in situations they may never have encountered in the non-developed world.

This is another reason why pack leadership development is so important. Rather than simply responding to everything a dog does, you create a relationship between you and your dog that highlights the positive effects of the situation. You teach your dog that, when you correct a behavior, you are doing it to help them fit in.

Imagine walking up to a stranger on the street and telling them that they shouldn’t run on the sidewalk. They would probably give you a strange look and keep on running. However, your children would likely stop running because someone they respect and look up to told them it was dangerous.

Your dog is the same. If you try and correct a behaviour before you have established dominance, all you will do is confuse them and it will likely lead to anger – which will only further confuse them.

However, if you have full control of your dog as the pack leader, you can make those corrective disciplinary movements and in an instant, you will not only show your dog that something needs to be changed, but you will make the situation safer for yourself and the dog.