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The following are class notes from Sharon Savage's 1999 Dog Days of Wisconsin summer camp seminar on pushy, status-seeking dogs:
People create bossy dogs by…
Not making treats contingent upon respectful behavior
Allowing dog to initiate and control interactions (nudging for petting, putting a ball in their laps)
Feeding dogs before they eat themselves, or allowing free feeding
Allowing dog choicest sleeping spots
Taking detours around the dog when s/he is in the way
Allowing dog to go through doors first
Punishing harshly when dog takes advantage of its status (a true leader would never lose his/her cool!)
Pack leadership confers the right to…
Ignore requests from lower status animals
Possess and sometimes guard food and toys
Sleep wherever s/he wants
Remain in place while others take detours
Barge through doors
Demand attention from subordinates
Make decisions about which dogs and humans to accept as friends (a double-whammy if your dog also has fear issues)
Three easy ways to increase your status
Never pet your dog when he demands it. Instead, call the dog over when he is across the room, ask him or her to sit, then pet for 10-20 seconds and send away.
Put your dog on a twice a day feeding schedule with food available for 15 minutes. Then, eat breakfast and dinner in front of your dog before you give him or her each meal.
Block your dog from going through doors or up/down stairs ahead of you and insist that he move if he is your way at other times.
Suggested Reading
The following excellent books will show you how to become your dog's leader without the use of punishment (prices accurate for 1999):
"How to be Leader of the Pack," Dr. Patricia McConnell, 1996 ($4.95)
"Leader of the Pack: How to Take Control of Your Relationship with Your Dog," Nancy Baer and Steve Duno, 1996 ($7.99)
"Alphabetize Yourself: Help Your Dog Regard You as Leader," Terry Ryan, 1990 ($2.00)
"The Culture Clash," Jean Donaldson, 1996 ($21.95)
"Help! My Dog Has an Attitude," Gwen Bohnenkamp, 1994 ($12.95)
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