How to Train a Dominant Dog
So you’re enjoying your walk in the sunshine with your very obedient and friendly dog when your heart sinks because you see another dog coming?
It can only mean one thing. Your lovely but very dominant dog is going to make a run for the other dog and try to tear him apart. And you’ve no idea how to stop him!
Even though the other dog is on a lead you know there’s going to be trouble if they come too close, and so you start looking for an exit strategy… before you know it your dog is dragging you forward hair on the hair on their back is starting to rise.
You have tried many times, without success, to change this behaviour. Like tugging on the lead, a different collar or harness, offering food treats, but nothing has made the slightest bit of difference. Now all you can do is keep the dogs separated and suffer the embarassment of having an uncontrollable dog.
You’ve started to give up all hope, your dog is friendly and loving except when they meet another dog out on the street.
So what’s the answer?
Many dog owners and trainers don’t seem to understand that if you’ve been giving your dog the wrong messages at home then it’s too late to make a change when you see another dog on the street.
Dogs are simple animals.
And I mean that in a very loving way, but they can be obsessed with survival. First and foremost. Which includes protecting the property and the pack (this means YOU), especially when they are outside.
Dogs are pack animals and understand that there are leaders and followers. The leader (this should be YOU) decides what is dangerous and should take the initiative protecting the pack.
But if your dog happens to think that they are the pack leader, when they walk down the street and see another strange dog coming, they will take action to protect the pack.
You’ve seen it so often, they adopt a posture with their chest-up, head-up, tail-up, snarl and try to get the other dog to retreat.
That’s when it all goes wrong. Your dog thinks that they are the Pack Leader and that will start the reaction.
This is where Doggy Dan’s dog training method is so clever. He understands how to show dogs that you’re the pack leader and then he explains how YOU can do all of that in a very simple way.
There’s currently an offer of a 3 Day $1 trial of the site that you can take advantage of.
Doggy Dan’s training is really impressive because he does it in such a kind and gentle way. Its very simple, he uses 5 Golden Rules.
When you see Doggy Dan’s own pack around other dogs they do not become aggresssive because they all know that he is the pack leader and so they can take it easy.
Here’s a great video of two dogs playing at being dominant and submissive.
All dogs are different and some dogs are naturally more dominant than others, and there are some who like to be more submissive but it doesn’t really matter what kind your dog is, this training has the answer.
This is the secret:
YOU need to be the Pack Leader.
Once you establish yourself as pack leader you will find that all the other training tricks will start to work. A gentle pull on the lead or the distraction using a food treat and the gentle word of warning.
The training approaches that you’re currently using might be really good ones but without a solid foundation they simply don’t work because your dog has not accepted you as the pack leader.
In summary your dog is not taking any notice of you once the other dog shows up. Your dog assumes the role of pack leader and protector and wants to look after the followers in their pack (including you).
So, YOU need to become the pack leader.
Here are a few tricks I picked up from Doggy Dan that I can share with you and which will help you achieve that calmer dog as the other dogs approach. But remember, the pack leader foundation HAS to be in place first.
• Take it slowly: You may not have immediate rtesults. Unless you’ve just put the pack leader rules in place! Pushing things too fast will result in it going wrong, slow down and build confidence.
• Food distractions: This approach can really work with some dogs! The key is this: You must use it as a distraction and not as a reward. Do not reward your dog AFTER they have dragged you towards the oncoming dog or you will be reinforcing the unwanted behaviour. Use really tasty food, such as chicken or cheese, not their usual biscuits!
• Be in charge: Make sure that you’re in control of your dog’s walking before you meet the oncoming dog. If you need to consider a device such as a harness then do so.
• Stay focused: You need to continue to show your dog exactly how you want them to behave.
• Be alert and ready to step in: Be ready to quickly guide your dog away or gently tug or correct them.
Once you’ve done this remember to relax immediately afterwards.
The best thing about this training is that it works alongside your dog’s natural instincts. For example it’s natural that one dog will want to dominate another. You can’t change that. But by positioning yourself as the pack leader, they will not be nearly as likely to become overly protective, tense, dominant or take things too far.
If you want to take control back from your dog, and take advantage of your 3 Day $1 trial take a look around this comprehensive site Doggy Dan’s website .