Dakota Large Animal Clinic

Harrisburg, South Dakota

Excellence in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery since 1981!

The Puppy’s Rule of Twelve

Margaret Hughes—Positive Paws Dog Training, 2002

Puppies are the most willing to try new things before they turn 20 weeks old. The following socialization guideline emphasizes this by having you expose your pup to a variety of things in that first critical time period. Make sure all experiences are safe and positive for the puppy. Each encounter should include lots of praise. Slow down, decrease distance, and reassure if your puppy is scared. Increased variety is the important aspect, not increased intensity. You will continue to expose your puppy to several new things throughout the time you raise them, building on the strong foundation you provide at this young age.

 By the time your puppy is 20 weeks old, it should have:

(If your puppy is older than 20 weeks, start immediately with this guideline)

Becoming Leader of the Pack

 Your dog nips when you try to get him off the couch…or bucks when you try to put on the collar…or yanks ahead whenever you attempt to take him for a walk. While not uncommon, these behaviors are unacceptable. The dog has decided he’s “alpha”- the leader of the pack.

 Dogs need social order. A dog’s social system is a “pack” with a well-defined pecking order, or hierarchy. The top dog gets the best food, the best place to sleep, the best toy-and gets to go first. Some dogs assume the proper place in the pecking order. However, others will challenge authority in a quest to become alpha.

 Are you encouraging your dog to challenge authority? You might be if you treat your dogs as equals, not as subordinates…if you let them sleep on the bed or couch…if you don’t properly train your dogs and instead let them get away with disobeying commands. The alpha dog can be any size, and may seem normally pleasant and good. But when challenged, the alpha dog will quickly put the challenger in his place with a stare or growl- or a bite. This is instinctive behavior. But in a human family, it’s unacceptable and dangerous.

 Dogs need and want leaders. They want the security of knowing their place and what’s expected of them. Most of them don’t really want to be alpha, but if their humans don’t provide enough leadership the dog will take over the alpha role. If your dog respects one family member but dominates the others, you still have a problem. The dog’s place should be at the bottom of your human family’s pack order. To reclaim your rightful place as leader of the pack, you must teach your dog how to be a subordinate, not an equal.

 How to become leader of your pack:

 Your dog watches you constantly and reads your body language. He knows if you’re uncomfortable in a leadership role or won’t enforce a command. This behavior confuses him, makes him insecure, and will encourage him to assume the alpha role and tell you what to do.

 “Alpha” is an attitude. It involves quiet confidence, dignity, and authority. A dog can sense this attitude immediately- it’s how his mother acted towards him. Watch a professional trainer or an obedience instructor. They stand tall and use their voices and eyes to project the idea that they’re capable of getting what they want. They’re gentle but firm. Most dogs are immediately submissive towards this type of personality because they recognize and respect alpha.

 Practice being alpha. Stand up straight, walk tall. Use a deep, firm tone of voice. Don’t ask your dog to do something- tell him. You make the rules and give the orders. With most dogs, this change in your attitude and an obedience course will turn things around. However, a dog which has already taken over the household and has enforced his position by growling or biting will need an attitude adjustment as well. This will probably require the help of a professional.

 An alpha dog knows that he can beat you in a physical fight, so using aggression won’t work- and can be downright dangerous to you. You must outthink him- and be more stubborn than he is. The following is an effective, non-violent method of putting him back at the bottom of the family totem pole. For this method to work, your whole family has to be involved. This is serious: a dog that bites or threatens people is dangerous, no matter how much you love him.

 Here are some pointers you can start the minute a new puppy joins your household and continue as needed:

1. If the puppy or dog is sleeping in a favored spot, gently but firmly make the pet move out of the spot and YOU either stand or sit there. The alpha always gets the best spot to sleep.

2. Walk towards the puppy or dog and make him/her move out of your way. No need to be aggressive or pushy, but be sure the pet moves out of your way. You get to go wherever you want whenever you want.

3. Before feeding your pet, pretend you are eating out of their bowl, and then set the bowl down and let them eat. Pick the bowl up before they are done, and pretend to eat again. Then place the bowl back down so your pet can finish eating. The alpha always eats first and controls when they others are allowed to eat. This is why feeding them a couple meals a day is better than allowing them free-choice feed. Your pet becomes dependent on you for his meals.

4. Let the puppy chew on a favorite rawhide or toy, then take it away. Hold it, making sure your pet does NOT try to get it back. Give it back, then let the puppy chew on it. The alpha controls the treats.

Dog Obedience Class

Our dog Obedience classes are organized by June Greenwood.  She has been with Dakota Large Animal Clinic since 2008.  June is a very experienced dog handler, as she has bred and shown dogs in conformation classes for 30 years.  She has been teaching Puppy Obedience classes for the Sioux Empire Kennel Club for the past three years, and also instructs Canine Good Citizens and Therapy Dog classes.  She is a founding member of both the Sioux Empire Therapy Dog International, and the Hunting Ridgeback Association.

If you are interested in creating a stronger bond with your beloved pet, please call our office for more information and dates of future Dog Obedience classes!

Send mail to dlacsd@midconetwork.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 02/19/10