Why do some people just seem to never be able to control their dog? They go to obedience training at their local group class, or have dog trainers visit their home for private one-on-one lessons. Yet no matter how much instruction they get, nothing seems to work.

The number one reason is due to the attitude and relationship we have with our dog. Many dog owners relate to their dog like other members of the family (unfortunately our dogs are not human), and not relating in a way dogs understand true leadership. Many humanise their dogs, and put human values, thinking, and reasoning into their dog. Our world is completely foreign to our dogs, and it is so easy for us to confuse them. Too many dog owners offer their dogs heaps of affection, but fail to instil discipline, boundaries and limits with their dogs. Feeling that if they are too controlling with their dog, their dog will resent them, or the dog owner feels bad for not allowing their dog to do whatever it wants. We tend to pass our human values onto our dogs. This is our biggest mistake.

Dogs instinctively seek out leadership. We just need to provide it in a way our dogs understand.

What type of correction is acceptable for your dog.

Dogs in thier natural state correct each other in various ways and intensities, all depending on the energy levels of the dogs at the time. They will use nips, bites, mouth pressure, body nudges, claiming space, objects and resources, blocking, standing over, assertive body language, deep growls, and eye contact, etc. They will even use these during play to maintain control of the game. The main thing to understand about the way dogs correct and maintain discipline, is firstly dogs never punish each other, or get angry. A natural leader in the dog world leads and controls by maintaining calm assertive attitude over the other pack members. The aggression we are used to seeing in society between dogs, is not normal natural dog behaviour. By not understanding our dogs correctly, we have unknowingly created these triggers in our dogs to react in this un-natural manner. Most dog to dog (and dog to human) aggression comes from insecurity, and is usually fear based, due to its confusion about what its role is within the family (pack).

From the dogs perspective; whoever controls the space, objects, and resources is in control.

In most cases, all we need to do as our dogs leader is control space, objects and resources, and display assertive body language at appropriate times. In most instances there is no physical correction required. One thing dogs don't do is throw objects at each other to intimidate. I am one that is totally against throwing chains or similar, near dogs to try and scare and intimidate them, to get control when they are focused on us. Hitting is another what I consider abusive correction for dogs, and should never be used or condoned. One of the easiest ways to start setting boundaries, limitations and discipline with your dog, if you don't already have respect from your dog, is to start setting consistent rules and boundaries for your dog, by controlling/owning space, resources and objects. Also having an attitude that "Nothing in life is for free", which means discipline always before any type of affection..  It is so important that we reward calm submissive behaviour first. Then if we want to build up the energy for a game, then that's fine. We just don't allow the dog to initiate excitable or assertive play over us. When playing games with our dog, we should ensure our dog always has a sense that we are in control of the game. Leader never gives up a leadership role, even when playing.

Your dogs body language is a direct indication of your dogs state of mind

Whenever we give a dog a positive we are reinforcing the current state of mind in our dog. What we need to be aware of, is that our dogs body language, is a direct indication of our dogs current state of mind. We should never reward or reinforce anxious or overly excitable behaviour. If we do, then we will trigger an assertive attitude and reinforce anxiety in our dog. If we continually reward these types of behaviour, we ourselves become triggers, that switches our dogs brain into becoming anxious and assertive each time our dog sees us.

Dogs don't think about what they are doing, they just react. For example; you look out the window and see your dog relaxed and laying down. You walk to the door, and your dog views you through the glass, instantly your dogs body language and demeanor changes becoming more assertive and anxious in anticipation of you coming outside. You walk outside and your dog is instantly claiming your space (whether jumping up or not), is panting, pacing, and finds it very difficult to settle. We believing our dog is just excited and happy to see us, we give our dog pats and talk to him and interact. Big mistake! It is so important that we don't reward or reinforce these overly anxious or assertive behaviour. Ignore your dog until your dog falls back into a more calmer state of mind, before giving your dog attention.

Another example is we walk to the door to let our dog inside. Again our dog sees us and becomes anxious... We open the door and the dog is assertively pushing its way inside... The dog enters the house in an assertive state of mind, so immediately takes control. What we have done is allowed the dog into our space in an assertive state of mind, so our dog instantly takes control and claims the house and whoever is in there. Blocking assertive behaviour before the dog enters the house is so important.. by blocking correctly we slip our dog back into a calmer and submissive state before allowing the dog to enter our space.

Have you ever noticed in 2 dog families where when the dogs are alone together outside, they get on so well and rarely ever have any over the top challenges. Yet when a family member is in the picture, and the dogs are vying for attention, the dogs end up turning on each other, and a fight starts.. Why is this? It's a simple answer.. the dogs owner has triggered both dogs to become overly anxious and assertive whenever the owner is around, by rewarding this behaviour. Hence competition for control has commenced between the dogs, in the dog owners presence. In the dogs world, there is no such thing as equality.. So we cannot have more than one leader controlling space. When both dogs become assertive vying for attention, then the dogs will challenge each other for control of that space.

It is so important that our dog has a sense that we always control the space around us, and that the dog is a follower, not a leader in that situation. When we block overly anxious and assertive behaviour, we are switching the dog into a more calmer submissive state, thereby showing our dog(s) true and natural leadership. When dogs are well balanced and sense leadership, they will not challenge each other, as there is already another pack member controlling that space, and therefore we have not triggered the dogs to switch into an assertive or anxious state of mind..

Take control

Ok.. so now hopefully you will understand a little more as to why some people find it more difficult to master their dogs than others. It all has to do with how we feel about, and view our relationship with our dogs. Treating your dog as an equal confuses your dog, as a dog cannot comprehend equality. Instinctively a dog understands that there must always be a leader, a controller, and that its own survival and the survival of the pack is dependant on a good consistent leader. Our dogs expect us to enforce rules, set boundaries, and show consistent leadership. By doing so we maintain a well balanced and psychologically stable dog. We also create a strong bond based on respect.

Leadership is not about getting angry, shouting or screaming. Or becoming overly harsh or abusive. In most situations there is not even a need to use a physical correction, it all has to do with us controlling space, objects and resources. Understanding what state of mind our dog is in by watching its body language, and acting appropriately to maintain our leadership role.

Of course we should love our dogs, give affection and enjoy their company. However in doing so, understanding when it's the right time to give these positives to our dog. Try to always remember; what makes us happy and feel good inside, is not what is always best for our dog.

Part II of this article will be published soon.