Something Old....
I've started writing this a few times now. I'm just going to address one big misconception about what a leader is. Why? Because it's made a comeback in the last 10 years because of certain TV celebrities in dog training.
Wikipedia: Leadership has been described as “a process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task".
So, are you a leader to your dog? What does a dog think leadership is? Does it have anything to do with dominance?
Let's talk about dominance. What is it? the fact or state of being dominant: as a : dominant position especially in a social hierarchy (Miriam-Webster online dictionary); so in order for your dog to be dominant over you, he has to make the rules; he has to be in charge of the resources. I don't know about you, but my dogs are allowed on the furniture, if they bark out the window while they're out there, they have to get off. According to some, they're being dominant by being on the furniture; they're being dominant by barking out the window. My two girls both jump up in my arms, so they're dominating me... but they only do it when I signal them to. I have dogs that give me "hugs" (putting their paws up on my leg or thigh) when I ask, but they're dominating me???
Dogs like rules when then can get what they want within them. A leader sets rules. A dog might say, "Hey, can I try this?" and if they get no feedback to the contrary, the might say, "Ok, then let me see if this works!" and continue on with it IF IT'S REINFORCING! (reinforcing meaning that it either maintains, or increases the behaviour). Case 1: "Hey, can I roll in this smelly fish?... Hello?... OHHHH AMBROSIA!" Now we have a dog that will likely roll in more dead fish, but Case 2: "Hey, can I roll in this smelly fish?... Hello? ... OUCH! Something bit me!" could very well reduce the chance of it happening again (assuming case 1 didn't happen a few times before). Not given any rules, a dog will do what works for them, just like any child without any parental feedback.
So a good leader is in charge, but allows their subordinates, if you like that term, to think for themselves, but gives them a framework to work within. Do I want to be in charge of EVERY single thing my dog does? No, I want to give them the opportunity to make the decision and reward them for making the right one and guide them toward that if it's a complex behaviour. Am I lazy? Maybe, but the fewer decisions I have to make for the dog, the more energy they expend making those decisions for me. A General doesn't tell each and every soldier which enemy on the battle field to shoot at, the gives an overlay and tells those under him to get the job done under certain conditions. Be a General, not a Tyrant.
ps. I don't know what a dog is really thinking; but I do know that behavior is understandable if you look at it... if someone says they can understand the inside of a dogs head, they're at best, pulling your leg, at worst, trying to give a sense that they are an expert in which no one has yet been scientifically able to accomplish.
Next few times...
Something new.... Something borrowed.... Something blue...
