Secure Dogs Are Happy Dogs

Linda Martuch — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:47:20 +0000

We humans are bigger, stronger and arguably smarter than our dogs so it’s our job to be their leaders. Not only because we’re bigger and stronger, but also because we provide their food. In the dog world that makes us the boss. Dogs are good with this system; in fact it’s their system, and their rules. We’re just living by them. They naturally look to us for leadership, protection and guidance. Because we’re bigger, stronger and we provide them with food.

Where’s The Dog Rules? Or, Trouble in Retriever City

The trouble starts when we humans don’t play by the dog rules. Many dog owners don’t realize how the dog world works, so they fail to accept their rightful place in the pack. They never even realize they are supposed to assume the position of pack leader. Many people think puppies are like people, if you treat them nice and explain things, they’ll behave. That’s true, but only if you can explain things the way a dog can understand and set some rules and enforce them.

Dog Insecurities

The American old west was an exciting and dangerous place because there was very little protection from dangerous people, and few lawmen. Every individual had to take matters into their own hands, make their own decisions about right and wrong, dangerous or safe, shoot or don’t shoot. Its no wonder the people of that era always look unhappy in their photographs. They weren’t happy. They were stressed out from everyday insecurities and worries. Dogs that live in homes without a clear leader live in an old west world, they don’t have the security they need to relax and be happy.

Cowpuncher Puppy

Dogs that live in unstructured or leaderless homes live in an old west world, they have no protection from the dangers of the world.

It’s your job to protect your dog by defining the their rules, rights, and boundaries. If you have a shy dog and you fail to live up to your rightful duties as ‘sheriff’ or ‘pack leader’ by providing the structure your dog needs, he could be insecure and fearful his entire life. Insecure and fearful dogs are generally dangerous. They often growl and bite to defend themselves and their possessions from perceived dangers.

The Well Balanced Dog

If you have a naturally well-balanced dog, with a happy go lucky attitude, you got lucky. Your dog probably won’t have serious behavior problems in the absence of your leadership and protection. If your dog isn’t naturally pliant and relaxed, he’ll need you to provide a solid structure of rules in order to feel secure.

How to Make Your Dog Happy

By setting rules, boundaries and limitations for your dog you’ll be assuming your rightful role of ‘sheriff’. And once you’ve established that you’re the pack leader, your dog will assume that you’re not only in charge of him, but that the whole world obeys you and your rules. Wow!

Pack Leaders Rule

Once again, we benefit from the doggy brain structure! As far as your dog knows, when we control him, we control the entire world! It sounds incredible, but it’s true. Because dogs brains have a limited capacity, once they see us as trusted leaders they can relax and be secure that their entire world is a safe place because we’ve made it so.

All we have to do is set rules we can live with, and keep them. That’s all the power we need to set our dogs free from anxiety for their entire lives, by providing the structure and the rules they need to be happy. You have the opportunity and the ability to give your dog a very happy life, make the rules.

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