The first proof came when people realized that 70-80% of all dogs on earth live wild. So, instead of putting dogs and wolves in confinement and trying to study ‘natural’ behavior, researchers go in the wild to see what real canine behavior looks like.

The second proof came from a fox farm in Russian in the last 50’s. They accidentally found that if you breed calm foxes to calm foxes then you have spotted, trainable, foxes with floppy ears within 5 generations. This is opposed to wolves who, 10 generations of domestication, do not become calmer, more trainable, or ‘domesticated.’

What does this mean to you? It means, hypothetically (here is one of those science words that mean science is only ‘best guess’), that dogs have more in common with foxes than wolves. So, if we want to know what does act like, then we cannot look at a closed pack unit, but a family group.

When we read white papers on dog behavior we learn some vital differences between foxes and dogs, and wolves. First, no single animal usurps the will and holds absolute authority over another dog or fox. If the leader of the family is a bully, then everyone just skips out and joins another family.

Another thing we learn is that protecting the pack is secondary to individual survival. This is supported by dog’s behavior when stressed. A dog that is afraid of an approaching dog will lunge and bark. It will not look towards the leader of the pack for leadership, but will ‘react’ based on its own chemical response to the stimuli.

We also learn that dogs have the ability to be extremely cognitive. However, at maturity and with optimum mental stimulation, behavior modification, and socialization at the right mental development stages a dog will only achieve the cognitive ability of a 2.5 year old. This means that while it is cognitive, it will continue to act based on emotions.

Who is Alpha Dog?

What does this mean for you? It means that your dog needs you to establish a routine in the day. Boundaries need to be well defined. Rules need to be consistent. And, you need to put your dog’s emotional needs above your need for obedience and a companion.

The alpha dog is the calmest, most social, and nurturing dog. When a dog is not stressed, ie, it trusts you, you can portray dominance with a look, or by putting your hand ‘lightly’ on its shoulder.

The alpha needs to be able to communicate its intentions, but too many pet owners are more concerned with having their dog obey. They spend no time teaching their dogs how to communicate, so they have no way to convey their wants to the dog.

Unfortunately, many of us let puppies run wild, practicing survival instincts until 5 – 6 months and then suddenly have a ‘wild dog’ and hope that teaching a few tricks and tasks (heeling, sit, stay) will domesticate their dog. If this is you, then your task is going to take a few months, but the good news is that you can succeed.

How to Be Alpha Dog Part 1

The first step to being alpha is to keep the dog safe. If the dog feels you can keep it safe, then it will trust you. This means that you need to stop the punishments, and swap that out for teaching dogs how to learn, communicate, and building a relationship.

If you want your pup to develop into a well-mannered family member then toss out everything you’ve learned about dominance and alpha behavior and get ready to learn how to use your dog’s natural behavior to create a working relationship.

Dogs are Not People

In the wild dogs do not always form packs. Even if they do the pack will be fluid, not permanent. Treating a dog like a child can cause serious, and potentially irreversible, behavior problems. Dogs cannot fill our emotional voids. Forcing them to will cause two problems.

First, you will misunderstand a dog’s communication because instead of reading ‘dog language’ in your dog’s behavior you will misinterpret it using human behavior.

Second, you will expect behaviors from your dog that will cause stress, diminish trust, and stress your dog.

My Dog Bites Me

In my experience with aggressive dogs I find that 99% of them stop biting when they understand what their owners want from them, and/or when they start trusting their owners. We make some mistakes that cause problems:

• We do not desensitize dogs to eye contact. We do not teach them that when their human stares at them something good will follow.
• Aggression teaches Aggression. Instead, put you hand calmly on your dog’s shoulder and hold it still for 15 seconds. It should relax. If it doesn’t then seek professional help.
• Do not let your dog put its head higher than you.
• Do not let your dog push you, jump on you, or hit your chest with its front paws and move you back. If anything, you move the dog back.
• Do Not Overlook Any Challenge of Authority. If you cannot handle the situation then put the dog in a kennel for a time out.

 Continue to Part 2:  The Alpha Factor: Pack Leader Activities

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First 10 Days Your Puppy Comes Home

Puppy Primer – Stop Puppies From Biting

Puppy Primer – What is the Most Important Command?

Puppy Primer – Potty Training

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Heeling Problems

More Puppy Training Articles
 

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Many of our puppy owners in the Great Beginnings program do not understand the importance of being alpha. They want to be their dog’s friend. They want their dog to fill a void a child would normally fill. They want their dog to love them. If these are what you want, then you must be your dog’s alpha.

The Alpha Dog is a Leader

The alpha is not the dictator or ‘king’ of the pack. To be alpha you will need to develop a strong working relationship with your dog. You and your dog will become ‘bonded’ in a way that few pet/owner relationships ever achieve.

Your dog and you will have your own private communication language. They will share a relationship built on trust and ‘safety’.

Pack Walks

Go on pack walks and make sure that no one in the pack bullies or argues with another dog. Everyone must walk quietly and enjoy the day. The leader leads the way, so make sure that no dog wants to be out front. If a dog does surge then stop. Your first few walks may be very short – but that is okay.

On these pack walks the dogs should be focused on you. At first you will need treats and toys, but as time goes on and as you establish yourself as pack leader then you will find the dogs are not only willing to pay attention to you, but they are happy to do it.

Eating  Behavior

Do not let the dogs eat with you. They should sit quietly and wait until you are done. Do not let them stare at you and beg. Set up a mat where the dog must lay and wait until you are finished.

Also, we do not support free feeding. Dogs should not have their own food dish – unless you feed raw. Instead, make the dogs work for their food. Very few dogs eat so much that you cannot feed them through training and play throughout the day.

You may stuff Kongs and other toys and put them in the crate so that the dog can learn to be calm when alone.

Demanding Attention

Do not let your dog demand attention. When you enter a room, return home from work, or pick up a lead, then ignore your dog and wait a moment until your dog calms. Do not respond quickly when your dog calms, but wait a few seconds, then give your dog attention.

When your dog jumps on you, barks at you, or leans into you and tries to push you backwards, then suddenly ‘stop’ and break off communication until the dog stops.

Never, ever, let a dog push you backwards. If the dog pushes you then brace yourself and make sure the dog is the one who moves backwards.

Do Not Let a Dog Beg or Demand

Do not beg your dog repeatedly to obey you. If it does not obey the first time then shorten the lead and wait until it does obey, or if the dog is over-aroused then give it a time out.

Never raise your voice when training your dog. The dog will learn that it can ignore you until it hears a specific tone of voice, or until you sound angry.

My Dog is Testing My Alpha Position

• If your dog is challenging you then you need to change a few things in your daily life:
• If your dog is laying in your way then make the dog move, do not step around it.
• Never let your dog’s head be higher than you.
• Do not let the dog on the couch.
• Do not let your dog stare you down. Whoever looks away first is the looser. If you don’t win then your dog’s position as alpha is reinforced.
• Do not let your dog sleep in your bed.
• Do not let the dog put its mouth on you, ever. If it does then put it in a crate for a couple of hours. If you were playing then end the game.
• Do not let the dog run around outside ‘alone’ to practice independence and survival skills.
• Every kibble of food must come out of your hand. If you are not feeding the dog, it does not eat.
• The dog has no toys. You provide all toys when you want to play and all the toys, or all the best toys are put away. I believe some dogs must be allowed to self-satisfy to be able to manage their own stress levels.
• The dog must never be allowed to pull the leash. If it does, stop and do not walk forward until it is calm. If it doesn’t calm then take a step backwards. IF a dog is pulling towards something then make sure that it does not get to what it wants.

Last and Most Important

You are now on the journey to becoming alpha so it is your responsibility to make sure your dog receives enough social interaction, mental stimulation, exercise, and education to meet its emotional needs. You cannot become frustrated and lose your dog’s trust.

Forget your agenda or desires. It doesn’t matter if your dog takes 3 weeks, or 3 months, to start treating you as alpha, if you try to force the issue, or start wavering on the rules, then you will not become alpha, and your dog will continue its inappropriate behaviors.

 If you need more help please contact our Dog Trainers, London Ontario or Contact us on our Facebook page

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Cortisol is an important part of your immune system. But like all chemicals it can cause havoc when there is too much in the system. Cortisol prepares the body for ‘fight and flight.’

When a dog is ‘over stimulated’ the Cortisol is released. It can take 72 hours for the cortisol to leave a dog’s system. So when you hear terms like Trigger stacking you need to think ‘2 – 3 days’ not the 10 – 15 minutes most people think.

Studies show that athletes have elevated levels of Cortisol. This could explain why it appears rampant in the dog agility world.

Dogs develop high levels of cortisol in their bodies for several reasons:

1. stress
2. a tumor in the pituitary gland that over-stimulates the adrenal glands hormone-secreting tumor within an adrenal gland
3. the use of corticosteroid drugs

What Can I Do About Cortisol?

The best thing is to teach your dog to remain calm. Teach it Coping Skills, or Life Skills, so it can deal with situations in its environment. Most important, don’t make life miserable for your dog.

When I meet a new person I ask what the problem is, and what their goals are. Some people have lofty goals. They want to walk with their dog anywhere. They want to take their dog to the dog park. They want to compete in sport dog events.

The question that needs to be asked is, ‘what does the dog want?’  The dog may just want to play in the back yard. It is a safe place with no anxiety.

This is why some people never succeed in helping their dog survive stress. I’ve met several people who drag their dog outside each night. They watch for dogs, people and other triggers. They are on high alert. Their movements would impress James Bond, or any spy organization. The goal – go for a walk.

Neither the dog or the person enjoys this. If the situation happens repeatedly then the dog becomes more and more stressed, as more cortisol builds up in their system.  The dog never has a chance to return to zero level. There is no peace or rest for the dog.

Cortisol Levels In Hair Reflect Behavioural Reactivity Of Dogs To Acoustic Stimuli :Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari “A. Moro”, Strada Prov.le per Casamassima, Km 3 – 70010 Valenzano, Italy.

Cortisol — Its Role in Stress, Inflammation, and Indications for Diet Therapy: By Dina Aronson, MS, RD, Today’s Dietitian, Vol. 11 No. 11 P. 38

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This is not the purpose of an assessment. The assessment is a training tool. It is used to measure a dog’s reactions in specific situations. It doesn’t matter whether the assessment is the Canadian Kennel Club’s Canine Good Neighbor, or something more technical like B.A.R.C.  No assessment can state whether your dog will bite.

Ontario Law and Dog Aggression

The Ontario law is fairly strict when it comes to dog bites. It is the owner of the dog who pays. This leads to some problems. How does the victim prove it was my dog that bit? Unfortunately, it is very difficult to disprove. Worse, the courts appear to side with the victim.

This is why it is important to make sure your home owners insurance will cover dog bites. A small bite can lead to legal compensation worth thousands of dollars. I am unsure whether the $30 001.00 in losses applies to dog bites. It doesn’t appear so.

It doesn’t matter whether you have an assessment or not. If your dog bites someone it becomes a police matter. And yes, there are cases where criminal charges and jail time may be the consequences.

The only exception appears to be if your dog is guarding you, or your property. But even there is a catch. The ‘use of force’ must not be excessive. For example, do not let 3 mastiffs attack someone breaking into your garage.

Dog Biting Dog

A dog is seen as property in Ontario. So if your dog bites another dog then you are liable for all expenses.

Why Dogs Bite

33% of all dog bites are attributed to dog pain. Do not overlook an uneven gait. If your dog is acting stiff or sore then see a vet. Developmental stages can also play a part. But one thing I notice is that many dogs are forced to go on walks when it is not pleasant for the dog. If your dog doesn’t want to go for a walk then drive it to the park and play fetch.

My second rule of thumb is ‘dogs and kids don’t mix’.  Most dog bites in Canada are children.

Injuries associated with dog bites and dog attacks were sustained most frequently by 5-9 year olds (28.5%). Of all injuries related to dog bites and dog attacks, 57.9% were to males. Injuries occurred most often in the summer, 37.7%, and most frequently between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m., (32.7%). Most injuries occurred at the victim’s own home, 34.2% or other home, 30.3%. The majority of injuries occurred when the patient had no direct interaction with the dog, 28.9%. Injuries that required advice only or minor treatment accounted for 57.9% of patients, while 36.8% of patients needed medical follow-up after leaving the emergency department and 4.5% were admitted to hospital. Overall, the most frequent types of injury were bites, 73.1%, and the body part most often affected was the face, 40.5%. (Public Health Canada)

Pet Owner Responsibility

The fact is simple. Dog bites leave lasting scars, inside and out. Be a responsible pet owner and take some precautions:

1. Do not force your dog to endure petting from strangers
2. Do not force your dog to engage with other dogs
3. Do not play off leash in a public area
4. Do not assume that strangers will welcome your dog’s presence
5. Never leave a dog alone with a child. Dogs are not toys. Do not let children maul or play with them.
6. Do not assume that a stranger will not provoke your dog
7. Make sure you have used prudent care when securing your dog and protecting the public
8. Only use equipment made for dogs. A horse stable, garage, or chain are not made to be dog proof.
9. Do not let your dog run to the door and bark. Teach it self-control. Teach it to go to a mat and wait when you are talking to someone at the door. This includes not letting your dog rush at people barking. Teach an out command
10. Learn to identify your dog’s stress cues and remove him/her from situations they do not want to be in.

My advice to this woman was to contact a veterinary behaviorist who could give the dog medication, and check for any health issues. Then contact a lawyer.

Most important, go to a good dog trainer and teach your dog impulse control, stress/frustration coping skills, and teach your dog ‘not’ to react to stress.

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Can you overcome fear and aggression using play? If you ask a wolf researcher they will tell you that packs with ‘good’ leaders, where play is contagious, there is an absence of many behavior problems.

If you ask some of the world’s renowned canine behaviorists like Susan Clothier they will agree that play counter condition’s fear.

It is the premise of the ‘treat party’ and the ‘scatter’ therapies used with reactive dogs.

Does Play Reinforce Fear Behavior?

Some of the people who disagree with play therapy state that you are not counter conditioning by associating fear with something pleasurable. They claim that you are reinforcing the fear. But research, and my own experience states otherwise.

To understand whether this is true with your dog you need to understand what a reinforcer is.  When you pair a reinforcer with a behavior you want to continue, then you increase the chances of the behavior continuing.

Will It Work With My Dog?

If your dog is lunging or barking and you reinforce that behavior then the dog will continue to lunge and bark. But what if your dog is reacting to fear stimuli? What if your dog is just saying ‘I’m afraid – Get away?’  Then by playing with the dog you are adding ‘good feelings’. The dog is learning that the scary thing will not hurt them. The dog is learning that it can trust you.

So the problem isn’t, ‘can I counter condition fear’. The problem is, how do you know whether the problem is fear based or an aggressive behavior. The only one who can truly answer that is someone with hundreds of hours of study into animal behavior.

This isn’t an obedience problem. You cannot ‘correct’ your dog out of a fearful reaction.

What Can I do?

If you cannot work with a behaviorist then I suggest:

1. Do not force your dog to endure fearful situations
2. Do not force the dog to ‘act’ in a way that causes stress.
3. Do not force your dog to ‘face its fears’
4. Do not rely on just ‘stuffing treats’ into the dog’s mouth as a management/cure.
5. Do not correct your dog for a fear based reaction.
6. Have someone video your dog so that you can see its cues ‘from the side view.’ We sometimes miss things when looking over the ears.
7. Learn to listen to your dog. If you will listen the dog will ask for help.
8. Redirect your dog before an encounter, or as soon after as possible. Diffuse the situation and give the dog something ‘happy’ to think about.

How to Try Play Therapy?

Play therapy is easy for dogs with a high ball drive. It is very similar to puppy socialization with high drive dogs. Go into the environment but stay away from the trigger. The dog does not need to engage. Play with the dog.

It is very simple. Maybe that is why some people dismiss it, because it is too simple. Do not go to far towards the dog’s trigger. Stay well behind threshold.

Redirect the dog with play. Let the dog look at the trigger and watch to see if the dog returns its attention in less than 5 seconds. If not, add more distance. The dog is a good distance when it acts like the trigger is not there.

For more information read “Harley’s Story”

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