Dogs Just Wanna Be Dogs

October 22, 10:27 AMDog ExaminerMary Dennis

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Have you ever watched "The Dog Whisperer"? If so, you've probably noticed that most of the problems Cesar Milan solves are related to the owners either allowing their dog to be the pack leader or  treating their dog like a person. While it's adorable when they do those people-like things, it's vitally important to remember that a dog is a dog. How would you like to live with a pack of, say, giraffes--who wanted you to be their leader and act like a giraffe? That would be, to say the least, stressful. I can only imagine the confusion in the mind of a dog who is being encouraged to take the lead where his or her human family is concerned.

We know that if we don't set boundaries for our children, they keep going until they get themselves into trouble.  The same is true with our canine kids. "Trouble" with dogs can come out as aggressive behavior. Dog-think for this is something like, "After all, I'm in charge here, you've been telling me I have to keep you guys in line. "  And dogs in packs DO use growls and nips to establish rules. Unfortunately, growls and nips can be scary and even dangerous to humans.

If aggression just isn't in your dog's makeup, he or she may instead exhibit overly-friendly behavior that can be embarrassing,  such as jumping up on perfect strangers or dragging you down the street to investigate an interesting smell or another dog.

If your dog is still a puppy, it's the perfect time to enroll in puppy obedience classes. Starting early to establish yourself and the other adults in the house as the top members of the pack is absolutely NOT mean! It doesn't mean you can't give them loads of love and praise. You can even take them to the drive-through for a burger on the way home. Just make sure your dog isn't practically climbing into the pick-up window to get at it! Make it another exercise in proper behavior, and that means that you are the one in charge.

If you've adopted an older dog, you may quickly realize that there are some problems that need solving. One of the most common reasons owners turn dogs in to shelters is that they have become uncontrollable. It's amazing how these dogs respond to shelter workers who take charge and let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. They really don't want to lead. It's a big responsibility. They're relieved to know that there are certain things that are no-nos. Of course, it takes a lot longer with an older dog with established behavior patterns. Real kindness is letting your dog know right from the beginning that you love him or her just for being a dog--a beloved member of the pack, of which you are in charge.