subject: Labrador Dog Training and The Unacceptable Demonstrations of Dominance [print this page] Labrador Dog Training and The Unacceptable Demonstrations of Dominance
Your dog needs to totally control, or be totally controlled.
In the big scheme of things, barring any unusual tendencies, outward appearances should look and feel like you are expressing proper control.
Even in the best of situations, most of us try to get as much as we think we can get, or at least as much as we feel we deserve. For the most part, your dog doesn't want to get your job, your possessions, or any thing else, except you.
All things being equal, you are the ultimate challenge. You might be considered kind of like a doggy version of Mt. Everest.
When climbing a mountain, one rule of thumb is to obtain a good purchase, before aiming for another handhold or foothold.
Just about every interaction with your dog might be considered a purchase on your summit.
We don't want him to fall, but there's no room at the top. You might look at the intricacies of the relationship with your dog kind of like a chess game.
Every interaction is a strategic assault that has to be analyzed, assessed, and at some point countered.
Most canine interactions center on control issues.
These power plays go on all the time, and usually take place without our even being aware, that we are the pawn in a power play. Although most of these ploys are harmless and laughable, they do add up and scores are kept.
You don't have to play well, but like it or not, your in the game.
Being consistent means you get extra points.
Let's look at an example of how we innocently participate, and the ramifications that occur as a result.
Your dog jumps up on your couch. You look over and tell him to get off.
Being a good dog he jumps right off, and resumes his appropriate spot.
Being a dog, he's going to try again.
So he does.
And, doing your best, you remind him that you had just asked him not to do that.
But, he ignores you, and you insist.
So he goes.
But, he tries again, and being human, you've got other things to do.
Besides, he's just been groomed, and your getting another couch soon, and you've decided to put this couch in a good spot so can have it, and your tired, and it really doesn't matter.
So ignore him.
This One Instance Of Inconsistency Just Fractured His Entire Concept Of The Infrastructure Of Your Home And His Role In It.
If you cannot make up your mind as to what is important, then he needs to make decisions so as to insure stability in his den.
