Our Furry Friends Training Center

How to Be the Leader of Your Pack Without Aggression

Being the Leader of the Pack should not be confused with being a bully or forcefully dominating your dog. The old Alpha
Roll technique has been discovered to be based on a misunderstanding of canine behavior and can sometimes create a
fearful or even a more aggressive dog or even an injury to you.

Leadership is more of an intent, a sense that you are in charge. You control your dog's access to just about any item or
resource that they desire. You can require that certain behaviors like a polite sit and eye contact or even a WAIT, earn the
things that they want and that they are allowed to have. Think about the people and bosses in your life that you have
respected - they don't have to throw their weight around with you, they often have an inner quality and certain actions that
invoke a feeling of admiration and respect in you.

On the other hand, many people in an effort to give their dog a happy and loving home, forget that dogs need clear
guidelines to also feel secure. These guidelines are like boundaries and are not punishments or mean. The guidelines
actually help your dog feel more secure and therefore happier. If your dog learns that you will immediately cater to their
every demand - you are raising a pushy and demanding dog. Instead, try learning about and implementing some simple
steps to help your dog learn to respect you and be patient and polite:

Private lessons, phone consultations, an online study program and group classes are some of the ways that you can learn
to implement these Leadership Behaviors. See below for information on a group class "ARE YOU THE LEADER OF
YOUR PACK?"

1) Leaders Control Space - Learn to Use Body Blocks Like Dogs Use and Teach Your Dog to Yield Right of Way
2) Give and Take Away Attention and Petting - Based on Your Dogs Actions
3) Use Look Aways - A Visual Signal That High Status Dogs Sometimes Give Subordinates
4) Gain Control Through Obedience - Learn to Earn Program Including Sit to Say "Please," Down-Stay & Wait
5) Leaders Lead - Teach Your Dog that You Lead the Way on Leash Walks. Teach a Solid "Heel"
6) Use Play to Train Good Manners - You Initiate Play Sessions and Decide on the Rules of Play. See Article
7) Teach "OFF" - Train a Move Forward/Back Up from a Valuable Item. Leaders Control Resources!!

Placerville - 622-PUPS
These Programs Are Held at the Training Center
4060 Stage Court, Unit G-4, Placerville

Pine Grove - 296-4DOG
These Programs Are Held at the Training Center
19698-C Hwy 88, Pine Grove in Amador County

You control your dog's access to the places that
they treasure. Teach them that they have to ask
politely that you share special places.
Can you dig it?!

Who brings home the "bacon" at your house - you or
your dog? Make a big deal of putting down your dog's
food bowl while asking for a polite sit first!!

Placerville CLASS:
Are You the Leader of Your Pack?

Learn how to implement Leadership Behaviors with your
puppy or adult dog. Use Body Blocks like dogs use and
teach your dog to yield the right of way. Give and take away
attention and petting based on your dogs actions. Use look
aways and gain control through basic obedience using a
Learn to Earn Program. Teach "OFF"and train a move
forward or back up from a valuable item. Remember
Leaders Control Space and other Resources!!
Instructor: Cherie Maitland
4 Wks, Max 5, $88

Sept 7 - 28, Tues 4 - 5pm

Pine Grove CLASS:
Are You the Leader of Your Pack?

Learn how to implement Leadership Behaviors with your
puppy or adult dog. Use Body Blocks like dogs use and
teach your dog to yield the right of way. Give and take away
attention and petting based on your dogs actions. Use look
aways and gain control through basic obedience using a
Learn to Earn Program. Teach "OFF"and train a move
forward or back up from a valuable item. Remember
Leaders Control Space and other Resources!!
Instructor: Cherie Maitland
4 Wks, Max 5, $78