“ ALL DOGS RELATE AND RESPOND TO A STRUCTURED HIERARCHY ”

Big, small, furry, hairless, fat, or thin, they all “think” the same way.
Yes, some may be slower to learn certain tasks, or to execute certain conditioned behaviors. But the basic canine “thought process” remains the same, “lead or be led”.

To get to your end goal you can use any teaching method... as long as you get to your goal.

Training is teaching, some owners may be happy with a robotic animal that executes conditioned commands (I like to call them requests) on cue.

Others may be satisfied with their dog’s overall behavior improving, and could not be bothered if it never learned to “stay”.

I think the key to defining the word “training”, is a persons ability to understand “WHY”.....not “HOW” the dog is trained.

I could keep writing about the intricacies of the human /canine relationship for the next ten years, and still not even begin to record it’s complexity. Let’s simplify it considerably.

As a “Social” animal, the Dog, (in my experience) thrives when it realizes where it’s place is, in the family hierarchy. I call this process of rank adjustment, “Domestic Adjustment™”.

All owners have a duty to achieve this sooner or later (preferably sooner)with their dog. You don’t have to hit , slap or be mean in any way to achieve this.

You do it through a very basic, but unbelievably effective process called “Voluntary Submission™”. Sounds very “Macho” and domineering doesn’t it ?... well, it’s NOT

Surprisingly for most owners, dogs exhibit dominance/submissive behaviors every day. They have been doing it for thousands of years, and will continue to do it until extinction. They show their “Dominance” in many ways, but the universal communicator, the factor most evident in inter canine relationships, is the “respect” factor.

The “Alpha” image or “Master Image™” as I call it, is the ultimate position of respect to any dog. Not all dog’s want to be “Alphas” (thank goodness, but most have an inclination to do what is “NORMAL” behavior). They will constantly test the position of the other “pack” (family) members.

From puppyhood most dog’s, male or female have at one time or another, “Tested the Waters”... so to speak. They would not be “dogs”, if they did not.

You may not have noticed, it’s sometimes very subtle, but if you “unknowingly” established your position with them, your “Master Image™” may be so deeply ingrained, that they may never challenge it again. They are automatically “Adjusted”, what a truly great dog that will be.

Some Dog owners are not so lucky, they have dominant or aggressive
(even dominant aggressive) dog’s, this can be a serious problem.
With proper “training” (teaching) this can be modified over time, in most cases, especially if it’s “Learned behavior”. However, if the dog has a “genetically” inherited trait, there’s not much hope of adequate “Adjustment”.

How does one Dog know when another approaching Dog is going to be Dominant or Submissive ?

Answer... Body language. i.e. tail position, eye contact, speed, etc.

When they approach each other and a “challenge” becomes evident, the most dominant dog will win the challenge. This interaction may result in nothing but a “Sniff”... or it could result in a full fledged fight.

Why are they fighting? Probably not because one stole the others cookies!

Answer... Rank... Rank... Rank.

If the dog loosing the fight “gives up”(submits) and shows submission by lying “Down” and not continuing to fight... the “Dominant “ dog usually walks away. This is a very interesting lesson... hmmmmmmm.

Laying “DOWN”, is the ultimate mark of respect. In this case, it was “forced” submission, but if they meet again...chances are the submissive dog will lie down again, immediately, so as not to upset the “Dominant” dog.

That is the ultimate in canine communication ...”VOLUNTARY SUBMISSION™”

The key to proper training is to ask the question, “why”... not “how”.

I define achieving “Voluntary Submission™”, as follows.
“A person’s ability to have their dog lie “DOWN” on request, at any time , place , circumstance or situation, and consistently enforce that response for the lifetime of their dog”

I do not believe that being heavy handed with a dog is the correct way to train.

I believe that using “food” is an excellent way to teach a dog “tricks” and even to “lie down”... but the reason (in the Dog’s mind) for going down, will be completely different from what you think it is.

Perhaps you believe the whole “action” of lying “down” is just that... another nice “trick”...hmmmmmm.

On a completely “NATURAL” level, train the Dog the “Doggie way”.

I also believe that a careful balance of “honest” praise ( positive reinforcement) and skillful “teaching”, is probably the best way to train a dog.

Remember, training is communication, building a relationship of mutual trust, accelerating the learning process, and most importantly “ establishing a “Master Image™”.

DETERMINING THE HIERARCHICAL POSITIONING OF ALL INVOLVED is doing it natures way... it will never change!

And YES, let your dog sleep on the couch, jump in the armchair, go in the car... whatever you want. Spoil them, have fun... just remember, think like a dog,

... a little “respect” goes a long way... on both sides.

If you are considering professional dog training services, please email us for a FREE consultation at:

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