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Teaching Deference
.jpg) Dogs are social animals and their interactions with their human families mimic those of their wild cousins with their packs. Although it’s not exactly the same as packs in the wild, domestic dogs generally look to their owners for guidance as “pack leaders.” Dogs can develop behavioral problems when they do not do this.
Puppies that look to their owners for guidance are much less likely to develop pushy habits or dominant, aggressive behaviors as adults. It is much easier to encourage the proper behavior in a small puppy than to try to correct inappropriate behavior in an adult dog.
Dogs should learn from a young age that their owners are in charge and they are not. We can teach puppies this crucial lesson by asking them to defer to their owners for everything they want. The “sit” command is the easiest way to accomplish this. For example, before the puppy is fed, it is instructed to sit. The food bowl is placed down for the puppy to eat after it has obeyed the command. In this way, the puppy has looked to the owner for direction and has recognized that it must defer to the owner in order to get what it wants.
Puppies should be able to successfully sit for feeding as well as f.jpg) or things like:
- treats
- affection
- grooming
- going in and outside
- putting on a collar and leash
- being invited onto the bed or sofa (if owner desires)
- playing games and with toys with family members
- having a wound checked
If the puppy will not obey the sit command, the owner should walk away and ignore it. When the puppy follows and seeks attention, it should again be asked to sit. This should be repeated until the puppy complies. When the puppy does obey the command, it should be praised. Every time the puppy defers to the owner and sits, it reinforces the owner as the dominant figure. It is important that all family members participate in these exercises so that the puppy will learn to defer to all members.
It is important to remember that young puppies have short attention spans. It is not realistic to expect the puppy to sit for a prolonged period of time during these exercises. Initially, all the puppy has to do is touch its bottom to the ground. Gradually increase the amount of time that the puppy sits and stays as the puppy matures. Puppies should not be physically shaken or forcefully rolled in order to achieve deference. It is not necessary and is potentially harmful. Rough treatment can also make the puppy more fearful or aggressive. Consistency and patience using the sit command is effective enough on its own.
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