Dominant Dogs require special training, but so do their Owners. Too often an exasperated Dog Owner will scream or strike out in sheer frustration because the dog pushes the Owner beyond bearable limits. Or the overwhelmed Owner will treat the dog the best way Helen Keller’s parents treated her, turning her into “an animal” until Annie arrived on the scene. Within the words of Captain Keller to Annie Sullivan: “…Give her all the things she wants….” Backfire!
So let’s start with You, the Dog Owner. Understand that Your individual attitude and timing are critical for a successful final result.
One of the vital things to recollect when working with a dominant dog is to keep your cool. Yelling is counterproductive and only turns a difficult animal off. Yelling escalates the issue. You possibly can’t fight fire with fire.
As an alternative, do not forget that: “Iron sharpens iron.”
Focus. It’s as much as You to be regular, firm, and consistent, and to be sure that You might be calm while you begin your each day work together with your dog. This approach isn’t inconsistent with love, for individuals who love their children and dogs will teach them, lead them, and discipline them with a consistent, fair, and firm hand, in order that they may be the very best they may be. That is your goal together with your dog.
Take control. To do that, it is rather vital for you to determine and maintain regular eye contact when taking authority over your Dominant Dog. While the submissive dog will look away, the dominant one will hold the stare.
Eye contact can also be critical so that you can hold the dog’s attention and keep him in an obedient posture. In dog language, the primary one to look away “loses” and submits. So let your eyes send the focused message of “control” and “authority.”
Also, YOU must “claim” all things that the dominant dog considers “his possessions,” whether toys, rugs, bones, or whatever. You will need to present yourself because the dominant one, and all things in the home as yours. Only then do you “invite him in” and “share” these items with him.
You can’t allow the dog to assert or take possession of anything. You don’t need to encourage the event of more dominant behaviors, possessiveness, or aggression. Indeed, aggression dog dominance naturally evolves from uncorrected dominance posture. As an alternative, break the cycle.
One other key in breaking dog dominance behavior: Do NOT allow the dog to have what he wants “without cost.” Make him earn it!
Earn it, not own it!
For instance, a Dominant Dog must have a superb walk or strenuous exercise before he’s fed, comparable to a 30-minute walk at a brisk pace, followed by a “cool down” time (or he’ll get sick). He must be required to abide by rules and to reply obediently to your leadership, in order that he feels he’s “working” with “purpose” and “price.”
It’s exciting to observe a formerly out-of-control dog stand proudly with a joyful gleam in his eye because he knows he has a job and bounds, that he doesn’t have the burden of controlling things and might trust in you, and that he has achieved something of perceived price and pleased you! The dog then takes joy in obedience!
Then he’s earned the correct to something he wants . . . not as a training tool or bribe, but faraway from the actual training time . . . not as something he owns, but a present from you . . . an expression of your general pleasure and affection . . . and only when YOU select to provide it . . . only in YOUR timing. YOU possess the control. Don’t relinquish it!
There may be an explicit dog training technique to make use of on a Dominant Dog. It comprises a little-known technique about YOUR FOCUS in order that the dog actually SMELLS AND SENSES your authority and control!
It also applies the dog communication system of “silence, submission, and leadership” . . . the dog whisperer behavior approach, in familiar terms. In spite of everything, for effective communication together with your dog, to command and control his attention and focus in a positive, constructive manner, you need to speak HIS language.
. . . And that requires that YOU have a silent option to establish and maintain your OWN focus and sense of cool, calm, collected power and authority. Part B of this free article provides details of a bit of known secret, a dog training tip to assist you just do that! (It’s effective for commanding respect within the workplace, as well.)
Give dominance no place, and it should not escalate.
Give it an inch, and it should take a mile . . .
