5 ways never to behave around your dog

Dogs need a leader. In the wild, they look to a pack leader for guidance. In your home, your dog needs that leader to be you. Pack leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and they can be of any breed, species, or gender. What make a pack leader? Here are five steps to becoming one: 

1. Never be aggressive.

Instead: Be calm-assertive. Assertive does not mean angry. Calm-assertive simply means even-tempered and unflappable; always compassionate, but quietly in control.

2. Never project weak energy.

Instead: Be confident. A dominant dog will have its head up, chest forward, ears up, and tail stiff. As a human pack leader, you should follow suit: Stand up straight and hold your head high! 

3. Never let yourself get too worked up.

Instead: Be balanced. In the animal world, overly excited, fearful, and anxious individuals are never considered leaders. Pack members must trust their leaders, and that requires balanced energy.

4. Never pick and choose when you discipline.

Instead: Be consistent. Inconsistent reinforcement of the rules leads to inconsistently obedient pack members, so pack leaders make the rules and stick to them!  

5. Never forget who's the pack leader.

Instead: Be responsible. In the canine world, a pack leader doesn't take on the role for the cash and prizes involved. Being a pack leader is a big responsibility. The pack leader is in charge of the survival of all the pack members. He or she sets all the rules, deciding when the pack eats, hunts, sleeps, migrates, and plays. Your dog expects the same from you, so don't let him or her down.

Rent a DVD that portrays wild dogs, wolves, or other canine species in the wild, and study their social structure.  You'll see close-up the traits of an effective canine pack leader, and can use that behavior as your inspiration to be an awesome pet owner!