Lessons in Leadership

Lessons in Leadership

As a behavior consultant, I often see pets and people in dire straits. Maybe a dog has bitten someone or the first time or the seemingly angelic 12-week old puppy growled and snarled. Ack! Our stomach is in knots, we’re wondering what’s gone wrong or if there is anything we can to do right the situation. But you don’t have to wait for the train to jump the tracks before you take a look at your relationship with your dog. Relationship? Yes, relationship.

Many times, we get a puppy and take the “good dog owner” oath. We do our due diligence and take a training class for our new dog. Once we cross that off our list, we may not seek out training until something goes wrong. Or we chalk up any behavioral problems to being “dog problems” (but we all know it takes two to tango).

The concept of  “leadership training” is something that Veterinary Ethologist, Myrna Milani, DVM has been touting for years. Leadership training in relation to our dogs is usually a very passive process, which involves routinely interacting with the dog in such a way that they look to us to figure out how to respond to the world around them. For social animals in the wild, the decision making of a few key leaders can ensure the survival of many. For our pet dogs, having your dog look to you to make decisions can create a dynamic of trust, predictability and stability.

Often we engage in lots of micro managing, busyness and skills training for our dogs. But I don’t think that necessarily translates to leadership for our dogs. Being a compassionate leader or partner for your pet isn’t necessarily time intensive or dependent on having the best treats- why should it? I’m sure there are people in your life that gave you amazing gifts, but that doesn’t mean that they “won” your affection.

You’ve probably worked for bosses that were hardly “leadership” material, maybe they were constantly checking in on your project status, looking over your shoulder or asking you if you got the around to those “TPS reports”. Yeah, you got the memo. And then maybe you’ve worked with someone that allowed you to do your thing, checked in when needed, but really allowed you to steer the bus, fostered creativity and trusted you to do what you needed to do. I’d argue that makes for a much more stable environment, not to mention a more productive one too.

So what can you do to be a leader for you pup?

• Take a look at your routine: Does you dog do things to get what he or she wants on a daily basis?  And I’m not just talking about doing things that you are asking them to do, will they voluntarily offer eye contact without being told or prompted to go for walks, go off leash, to be fed, etc?
If not, start there!

• Enrichment and getting a bigger bang for your buck: Many dogs eat from a bowl and have free access to chew toys and food. Having your dog work for these items from a toy that dispenses food – like a Treat Stik or a Tricky Treat ball, (these are my favorites)- can be a great way to give them a mental work out. For strong chewers, try the Buster Cube.

Bones and interactive toys are a great way for your dogs to self amuse. And wait for a polite behavior before allowing your dog to chew to their heart’s content.

• Give your dog a life: Allow them to engage in activities that allow them to be…dogs! Hikes on a long leash, play in fenced areas, foraging in the back yard, digging, sniffing/tracking, tugging, opportunities to mark, checking “pee mail” and to communicate with the neighborhood pups. Remember- do you want to be a micromanager or the kind of boss that allows for creative license?

• Get a life! (Yes you!): Do things with your dog that you both enjoy. Relaxed dogs make for relaxed owners. I urge you to find things that you enjoy and you may naturally see more opportunities to just hang out with your dog or spend meaningful time with them, (when you aren’t worried about the to-do list in your head). If you carve out the time and make it a priority to go for walks, hikes or engage in play time, you may fine that you naturally get what you “need” to get done, anyway.

Count on the ebb and flow of the relationship. And when you feel like your relationship may be out of balance, take a look in the mirror and at the dynamic. Many times our dogs are a reflection of ourselves and you may just need the help of a behavior consultant (and a little leadership training) to get things back on track.

Leigh Siegfried is the Owner of Opportunity Barks Behavior & Training. Opportunity Barks offers behavior consultations, private lessons and semi-private group classes for companion dogs- from pups on up. Visit www.opbarks.com for more information or call 888-672-2757 (888-opbarks).