Where a cat is clearly an independent creature; a dog by its nature is a
social animal. In fact, being part of a pack or a family positively affects its psychophysical wellness by lessening the risk of behavioural problems. However, as in
the wolf pack, man's best friend needs a leader and this should ideally be the owner.
Dr Maria Grazia Calore, veterinary surgeon and expert in pet behaviour helps us to investigate how best to establish yourself as pack leader.
The pack leader: dictatorial or charismatic?
Electric ‘training' collars, isolation or physical punishment were just some of the tools used to support the owner/pack leader that were inspired by a single conviction: that the dog had to be forced into submission by
imposing strict rules. However, studies on animal behaviour have literally trashed this approach by confirming the quadruped's
collaborative nature and its predisposition to follow instruction. In addition, the dog has a strong desire to understand and communicate with human beings so it adapts its behaviour and language accordingly. Have you ever seen a dog woof to communicate the same way men use words? This
mimicking behaviour is your dog attempting to do just that!
The ideal pack leader: an authoritative strategist
How then should the owner adopt the
role of pack leader? First of all, establish a
reference point, a safe, secure base from which to return: a place where the dog feels no fear but associates it with positive experiences.Secondly, a true pack leader must guide the dog in its behaviour, rewarding the good and ignoring (not punishing) any undesired behaviour. Like any family leader, the pack leader has to be able to manage situations, giving the pet a sense of security and using consistent language. For example, if your dog fears its counterparts you shouldn't force them together. You should first get close to the other dogs yourself using a relaxed, cheerful tone and then invite your pet to come closer
offering rewards with each sign of progress. Using this strategy will allay your dog's fear of others: the situation will become predictable and the leader of the pack will represent a secure base from which to start exploring other dogs or any other unfamiliar situation.
A good pack leader must therefore use
brainsover brawn when dealing with a situation involving his pack. He has to recognise
a dog's dissimilarities in language, cognitive ability and consequently its different perception of reality. Only with this perspective shift will the elements necessary for a human to be a true pack leader bear fruit: earning the respect of your dog, and building an authentic relationship of cooperation.
Alternative, Green Label and Classic Raw Pack are the three lines of Almo Nature wet food for cats prepared with a unique "Raw Pack" cooking method.Let's look at some of...
AAFCO Regulation PF3: Brand and Product Name. Regarding the use of ingredient name in the brand, product name or elsewhere on the label.“100%" - Can only be used if...
Alternative, Green Label and Classic: three different wet cat food lines prepared using an innovative “raw pack" cooking method. Let's find out more about its...
Our Holistic range offers a complete nutritional meal for dogs, whether they are small or big, young or old, fussy or non-fussy, this range offers recipes and meals that...
Is your bed a little overcrowded? Is it a case of ‘two's company, three's a crowd'? Or is your four-legged friend hogging the entire duvet? It's a dilemma that...
When you come to understand the inner workings of a wolf pack, the idea that only man is capable of living in a perfect social structure seems somewhat pretentious....
Pork meat is considered a wholesome alternative to more traditional beef meat; it is the main ingredient used in our Holistic Grain Free dog kibble (dry food) and is...