{"id":113,"date":"2017-05-16T14:04:20","date_gmt":"2017-05-16T14:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pethobs.com\/pet\/blog\/?p=113"},"modified":"2017-05-16T14:04:20","modified_gmt":"2017-05-16T14:04:20","slug":"be-a-leader-to-your-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pethobs.com\/pet\/blog\/?p=113","title":{"rendered":"Be a leader to your dog"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/a> Dogs are pack animals; as such they need a leader to follow.\u00a0 Someone they can trust and respect, knowing the leader will keep them safe, provide and care for them. Are you such a leader to your dog?<\/p>\n

Dog owners, particularly those with large and dangerous dogs, often think they have to be tough, loud, violent and harsh. That is wrong \u2013 as pack animals, dogs need and respect a strong leader and not someone who bullies and mistreats them. They don\u2019t follow weak or violent leaders; in fact, such people usually have a problematic relationship with their dog.<\/p>\n

So how do you become a leader your dog will respect and follow? You need to be calm and consistent and build a relationship based on mutual respect.<\/p>\n

When you watch a puppy with its mother, you\u2019ll see that she only tolerates so much boisterous and demanding behavior from the little one. She sets the boundaries and when the puppy gets too unruly by tugging, nipping or simply making a nuisance of itself, mom lets it know with a growl or a snap. No matter how cute the little fellow is, he learns what acceptable behavior is and what will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n

As dog owners, our problem is often that because of their baby doggie adorableness, we indulge puppies. We allow them almost anything – to their own detriment. People may even use their relationship with the dog to satisfy emotional needs.<\/p>\n

Then we want to \u2018put things right\u2019 when the older dog keeps jumping on us and insists sleeping on the couch.\u00a0 When the dog suddenly isn\u2019t allowed to do what he\u2019s been doing his whole life, we get a confused, frustrated animal.<\/p>\n

Your dog must respect you; not fear or dominate you.\u00a0 To get to a balanced relationship of mutual respect, you as the owner must keep a few things in mind.<\/p>\n