Leadership Necessities

       One of the most commonly used words in dog behavior discussions has seriously negative connotations for humans; dominance. In canine perceptions, however, dominance isn't a negative concept, but a necessary one. In an effort to dispel some of the negative human beliefs concerning this phenomenon, I'm going to attempt to define it yet again.

       When dogs (or any social creature, including human children) are willing to repress their instinctive responses due to respect and trust and behave in ways that are approved by another, that other may be called "dominant" (or a "leader").  In the human social group (the family) behaviorists would refer to the parent as "dominant". Dominance is frequently perceived as involving coercion or intimidation, but it is actually about trust and respect. When members of a social group pattern their behavior after the behavior or wishes of another group member, dominance has occurred.

       As with children, a pattern of respect and trust can be established with dogs by the setting and following of daily behavioral rules. As we teach our children good manners and proper social behavior they develop trust and respect for our guidance. These rules are frequently used by children in emotionally charged situations even when we aren't present. When a pattern of guidance has been established in daily life, then a dog is also more likely and willing to defer to human judgment in emotionally charged situations in which danger or a threat is perceived by the dog (such as encountering other dogs or people outside of the home). Dominance is nothing more than setting a good  example and creating a set of consistent behaviors that encourage group members to pattern their behavior after the actions or wishes of another group member they respect and trust.

       While there are many parallels involved however, gaining the respect and trust of canines cannot be done in exactly the ways that are successful with human children. A lot of verbal and written instructions and explanations can be utilized when dealing with humans that aren't possible with dogs. Therefore, dealing with canines requires the use of  Behavioral Indications of Status (BIS). In order to have a content but well-behaved dog, humans must tend to their pack BIS.
       Dogs interpret the following behaviors as indications of dominant status:
       1) A pack member that displays dominant postures and body language.
       2) A pack member that exhibits self-control.
       3) A pack member that takes control of the behavior of its followers.
       4) A pack member that takes control of situations the pack encounters.

Displays of Dominance
       When a dog displays dominance it makes itself as large as possible. The head is held high, the ears are erect and the tail is up. Its chest is pushed forward, its legs are spread shoulder-width apart and the feet are turned slightly outward as if ready to take action. It will use sustained direct eye contact and turn face-on as if in confrontation.

       When a human is controlling a dog we should display similar attributes. We should stand straight-backed with our chins up and our shoulders back, pushing our chest forward. Our legs should be shoulder-width apart with our feet turned slightly outward and we should balance partly on the balls of our feet as if ready to step into action. We should make sustained direct eye contact and be face-forward to the dog. In other words, we should display our status in ways dogs will instinctively recognize as leadership postures.

 Displays of Self-control
       Many of us have heard the statement "Don't let an aggressive dog see your fear". This is a valid strategy, although it doesn't go far enough. When we experience emotions chemical changes occur in our brains which trigger chemical changes in our bodies as well. Canine noses are sensitive enough to smell these chemical changes,  rendering it virtually impossible to disguise our feelings in the perceptions of dogs. To the canine mind, humans experiencing these feelings are not a threat in itself. When our bodies simultaneously display indications that these emotions are overwhelming us, dogs see this event as weakness or threat. Therefore, experiencing fear in the presence of an aggressive dog isn't dangerous, but appearing to be unable to control our fear is. Being controlled by fear can result in unpredictable and possibly dangerous behavior (panic reactions, etc.). Frightened humans aren't seen as dangerous by dogs, but frightened humans who don't control their fear are definitely perceived as a threat.

       This holds true for any emotion. Love  is a welcome emotion for dogs to detect in us, but when we love to the point that it is displayed in body language, tone of voice, facial expression and behavior it is perceived as weakness the dog can gain control of. Being controlled by even a positive emotion disqualifies us to lead in the eyes of dogs and instinct demands that they must take control.

       Anger is an unwelcome emotion, but anger that causes us to make fists of our hands, clench our jaws, thrust our heads and shoulders forward aggressively and raise our voices is a threat. Then the anger is controlling us, not the reverse. Any display we present that indicates we are controlling the physical manifestations of our emotions is perceived as self-control and is more trustworthy.

       Dogs will respond to any emotion we experience, but when they perceive that the emotion is controlling us, they can't trust us to lead regardless of the positive or negative nature of the emotion. When we perform obvious displays of controlling our emotions our leadership status is reinforced.

Taking Control of Followers
        Canine interpretations of control are different than ours. For example, a dog that is physically in front of a human sees itself as confronting dangers and threats and therefore, the dog is in control of the pack. This is why allowing the dog to be in front during the walk is a mistake. When a dog hears a knock or bell at the door and charges the door, it doesn't see humans as being in control if they are standing behind the dog and grabbing their collar. Being physically behind the dog is being a follower. People who are attempting to control a dog that is lunging against its leash usually fail to change the dog's behavior because in the dog's mind they can't be in control if they are behind the dog; they are followers interfering with the leader's duties and increasing the dog's frustration.

       In the canine mind, those in control confront their followers. Any of the situations mentioned in the previous paragraph can be more quickly controlled by simply stepping in front of the dog and confronting them face-to-face.

       Another behavior dogs interpret as control is persisting until the follower surrenders and complies. If you tell your dog to sit and it doesn't want to, it will challenge your authority by refusing. The one that gives up first is seen as voluntarily surrendering to the others control. If you persist until the dog sits it will see you as taking control and it will elevate your status. If you give up before the dog complies you surrender status. Quitters can't be trusted as leaders!

Controlling Situations
              There are several situations during which we must be in control for a dog to instinctively believe in our leadership. These are situations where a dominant canine pack leader would control the pack followers behaviors and thereby induce an instinctive "respect" response in dogs.
       1) During pack motion (the walk).
       2) During meal times (both human and canine).
       3) During times of relaxation.
       4) During play (socialization practice).

       I'll provide more information about each of these situations in future posts. Meanwhile there is a more critical strategy to consider and it is the one humans most frequently fail to be consistent in.
The Stick and the Carrot
       The single behavior that most often undermines a dog's wish to establish trust and respect for their human companions is the human failing to take any action whatsoever. Unwanted behaviors should be corrected and desired behaviors should be rewarded; consistently! This is the simplest training strategy that can be implemented with any social creature, be they dogs, horses or human children. The need to communicate effectively is absolutely essential to guiding the behaviors of anyone, human or canine. Tell your dog when you approve and when you don't using techniques and methods dogs understand! A leader communicates consistently and effectively.

Learning Disability

Even with more than twenty five years of experience working with dogs, I am living proof that on the right day and with the right series of mistakes anyone can get bitten on the face. It happened to me last Saturday (Aug. 29).

My first mistake was allowing myself to be persuaded to consider taking a dog based on the circumstances of the people who had the dog, rather than the dog itself. People who want to give a dog to someone else ALWAYS have some series of dire reasons or circumstances for why it has to happen TODAY. On the day in question, I allowed myself to be influenced by the story more than I should have.

My second mistake was arrogantly assuming that the dog’s behavior was ONLY a result of owner ignorance. The dog was very dominant and I assumed it had simply not been trained by previous owners. He pulled everywhere he wanted to go and wasn’t susceptible to persuasion about who was in charge. He marked frequently and ignored his name and instructions.

My third mistake was being taken with the dog’s appearance rather than it’s behavior. He was a Husky/Malamute mix that had perfect husky markings while being large (at least 60 lbs. and maybe more).

Another mistake was accepting the information I was offered at face value. He wasn’t six years old, but considerably younger and more excitable than that level of maturity would create. He may have adjusted to the other animals where he had been, but that is no indication that he would tolerate other dogs or cats in a different environment.

My next mistake was forgetting that canines are carnivorous predators and are capable of disguising their intentions.

When we encountered a smaller, yappier dog at the park Bob-O (the Husky) responded with very aggressive behavior. When I successfully backed him off and calmed him down I thought this would be a good training opportunity. We approached again and I successfully calmed him again. After repeating the exercise a few times, I relaxed and sat on the grass not far from the other dog. Bob-O put on a good show of being calm and sniffing the grass, etc. He was actually maneuvering himself to attack and controlling him from ground level was my final mistake. I pulled him back to me and went to one knee to rise to a standing position. That’s when he turned and bit me on the face.

At the emergency room I had the embarrassing experience of explaining that I am an experienced canine behaviorist who had his face ripped open by a dog. One tetanus shot and several stitches later I was released.

Animal control has Bob-O now for a ten day evaluation that is very likely to result in him being euthanized. It’s very easy to allow our own expectations to overide our common sense where dogs are concerned. It’s necessary to ALWAYS remember dogs are canines with the instinctive behaviors of carniverous predators! I have a new scar to prove it.