How leadership style influences animal training

Dictator leaders confine, restrain and hurt animals.

Exploited horse Eight Belles dies on the racetrack because
money was more important to her trainer than her welfare.

Allen Pogue is a humane and gentle participative leader.

Animal training doesn't require you to be harsh or cruel.

When talking about animal training, the words 'leader' and 'leadership' frequently come up. You may hear terms such as ‘pack leader’ and ‘alpha leader’.

But what exactly is a leader and how does it apply to pet training?

People have different views on leadership, and our opinions develop from our own life experiences, particularly as children, as students and as employees. How your parents raised you, how your teachers taught you, and how your managers treat you have a direct influence on your interpretation of the words 'leader' and 'leadership'.

As animal owners and trainers, we are leaders too, just as your parents, your teachers and your managers have led you. Some led you well and some led you poorly. Some led you astray and some led you to achieve your full potential.

According to Wikipedia, there are 4 types of leaders:

1. Dictator Leaders

A leader who uses fear and threats to get the jobs done. As similar with a leader who uses an autocratic style of leadership, this style of leader makes all the decisions. The dictator will use any and all, including illegal and immoral, means to achieve his goals.

2. Autocratic or Authoritarian Leaders

Under the autocratic leadership style, all decision-making powers are centralized in the leader. They do not entertain any suggestions or initiative from subordinates. An autocratic leader does not trust anybody.

3. Participative or Democratic Leaders

The democratic leadership style favors decision-making by the group. He can win the cooperation of his group and can motivate them effectively and positively. The decisions of the democratic leader are not unilateral as with the autocrat because they arise from consultation with the group members and participation by them.

4. Laissez Faire or Free Rein Leaders

A free rein leader does not lead, but leaves the group entirely to itself; such a leader allows maximum freedom to subordinates. They are given a freehand in deciding their own policies and methods. Free rein leadership style is considered better than the authoritarian style. But it is not as effective as the democratic style.

Let's talk about each of these styles.
 Please read on .... 

 Photo credits: Allen Pogue of Imagine a Horse, Woman with cocker spaniel - stock image, elephants on chains by PETA, Eight Belles - Associated Press.

The copyright of this article is owned by Eve Alexander. Permission to republish in print or online must be granted by Eve Alexander in writing.