Leader of the pack

My new pup ‘Touque’ has been responding to basic training fairly well these first few months in our home.  I have been collecting wisdom about handling dogs from various sources, and find myself picking up ideas on what will work best from different people I talk to.

“Hand feeding helps to bond with your dog” – says once source.

“Never punish a dog if you did not catch him in the moment” says another,

“down-stay”, is the best way to subdue your K-9, or is it ‘WAIT’? Or “OFF”,

When its sleep time should I use “Crate”, “bed”, or “go lie down”

With everybody offering their own advice on how to best train a dog, and often with differing opinions it’s no wonder I’m confused.

In the simple effort to train little Touque to retrieve a thrown ball, I picked up ‘Dogs for Dummies’ at the local bookstore followed by the ‘4-H dog guide’ at the library.  While I was there I grabbed the audio book ‘Be the pack leader’ and a video by some dude on dog psychology.

I quickly became bored with the details on preparing a bed for your puppy, and how to brush Fido as so colorfully presented in the dog owner manuals.  I had however quickly become intrigued with this audio book from a Mexican farm boy who really developed a skill on how to bond and blend with a pack of dogs, and act as their leader.

Cesar Millan also is the host of the DVD I picked up on dog psychology and a man I quickly came to admire for his distinction between man and beast.  Although I cannot reflect all his teachings here, I can highlight that he emphasizes how many problems between people and animals happen when we lose touch with nature, when we forget the natural order of animal interactions, and when we let our nervous energy speak for us.  By keeping a calm and confident force within yourself, the animals around you are put at ease with your sense of control.

Thinking back to how I have handled horses or alpacas in the past, my interaction has always improved when I did not get tense or scared, but rather felt in control through a kind and caring manner.  Millan works with people and dogs to establish the rules for engagement, and enforce a hierarchy of control.  Once the pack understands that there is order and control, relationships prosper not just within dog and owner, but among all those they cross paths with.

It seems to me that many individuals in our society, at work, school, or sports field could benefit from these teachings.  A calm, yet assertive leadership for a kennel or a community or a country would  be beneficial to all those involved.

So after my readings and television viewing, Touque still doesn’t bring me a ball, but she does trust me to lead her on our walks, and provide food and shelter.  I respect her need for a strong pack leader, and hope to always keep a strong bond.

Now go out and make it a great day,

Walk your dog if you have one, Speak with your energy, and always talk in a leadership style.

Blaine