By Josiah Neuman CMT, CDT
Neuman K-9 Academy, Inc.

In this day and age we are surrounded by T.V. shows and celebrity dog trainers claiming to whisper there way up to the 'head of the pack'. Much of the pack related comparisons we hear or read about are based on how wolves or wild packs of dogs live and interact. In the last 20 years, our understanding of dog behavior in relation to wolf behavior, as well as our understanding of dominance and hierarchies in wild animals, has become clearer.

So what is the difference between these wild animals and our pet dogs? Does the bad behavior really mean your dog is trying to run the pack? Domesticated dogs have a tempered drive to gain rank compared to that of the average wolf therefore this comparison is not accurate. Dominance only exists once one individual (dog or human) submits or defers. In most cases the problem is that pets are unruly or misbehaved because of reasons other than pack leadership. I.e. they need training!

In reality, dogs do not see us humans as dogs - we walk on two legs, speak English, and interact within the family in ways very different from the way canines do. In this article I am going address some of these pack leader issues that celebrity dog trainers claim will make you head of the pack.

A very common myth is; allowing your dog to walk in front or pull on leash is a sign of dominance, or pack leadership. Dogs pull on leash and walk in front because they are excited and motivated by environmental stimulus. When your dog is pulling you to the next fire hydrant to pee, or after a squirrel in the distance, do you really think they are asserting themselves as pack leader? Or is it a competing motivation they want access to at the point in time? Teaching a dog to walk on your side or behind you is a training exercise that has nothing to do with dominance or pack leadership.

Still don't believe me? I can hand you the leash to a fully trained dog that on command will walk behind you - and at no point in this dogs mind does it see you as the pack leader. Teaching your dog to walk on leash serves many benefits however it is a trained behavior.

What about a dog that likes to jump up on people? Is this an example of dominance, aggression, or is the dog status seeking? None of the above, dogs jump up on people to seek attention or initiate play and usually this behavior has been rewarded thus encouraging it further. Regardless of the status in a pack (alpha, submissive, etc) all dogs play, jump, and romp. This has nothing to do with neither accepting a submissive role nor taking the alpha dog position.

Leadership is established when the human sets clear rules for behavior and effectively communicates rules by rewarding the correct behaviors, preventing a bad behavior from happening, or immediately removing rewards for undesirable behaviors. This is the formula for good training and a healthy relationship between you and your canine companion.

If you would like more information about the types of training offered by Neuman K-9 Academy click here!