The Calgary Humane Society


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	Adopting a Cat Cat Body Language Cat Housesoiling Checklist Cat Run Instructions Cat Toys and How To Use Them Cat Types Controlling Undesirable Behaviours in Cats Destructive Scratching Detering Cats From Specific Areas Developmental Stages of Kitten Behaviour Excessive Nocturnal Activity In Cats Exercise For Cats Feline Aggression Types and Suggestions Feline Marking Behaviours Feline Redirected Aggression Introducing Your New Cat to Your Other Pets Managing Your Kitten's Rough Play Play Aggression In Cats Play With Your Cat Preventing Litter Box Issues Solving Litter Box Problems The Inside Story Your Cat: Indoors or Out? Your Talkative Cat
Dogs
	Aggressive Behaviour, Part 1 Aggressive Behaviour, Part 2 And Baby Makes Four... Barking Calming Signals Children and Dogs Cognitive Dysfunction Controlling Jumping Controlling Pulling and Lunging Crate Games Crate Training Your Dog Deaf Dog Training Destructive Chewing Developmental Stages of Puppy Behaviour Digging Dogs Dog Interactions Dog Toys and How to Use Them Dog Training Classes Dog Training Equipment Excitable and Disobedient Dogs Exercise For Dogs Fearful or Shy Dogs Food Bowl Exercises Head Collars Housetraining Your Adult Dog How To Handle a Dog Fight Inside or Out? Introducing Your New Dog to Your Resident Dog Kong Recipes and Information Leash Induced Aggression Microwaved Beef Liver Training Treats Muzzles Nothing In Life Is Free Puppy Nipping and Rough Play Relationship Building Separation Anxiety Step In Harness and Double Ended Leash Submissive and Excitement Urination The Best Dog For You Training Tether Understanding Dog Aggression
General
	Bibliography Fears, Phobias and Anxieties Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet Helpful Websites and Calgary Contacts Plants That Are Dangerous To Your Pet Preparing Your Pet for Baby's Arrival Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains Unusual Eating Habits in Dogs and Cats

Leadership Habits For You

By Gail Steinberg

Becoming your dog’s leader is essential if you want to practice motivational training! You do this by consistently mimicking the behaviour of the "alpha dog" or a bitch with pups. Consistency should become second nature as you get into the habit of behaving like a leader dog. You will see that the following behaviours are not difficult to incorporate into your daily life. They should be undertaken on a step-by-step basis as your dog becomes respectful of your role as alpha and skilled in obedience exercises.

Your dog should wear a lead and collar in the house when you are there to supervise him. Even though you have formal training sessions, you should enforce directions and commands always, using the lead helps you do this.
Practice "name attention" or "watch me" twice a day. This teaches your dog to give you attention when you ask for it, not only when he/she wants.
If your dog is in the way, have the dog move rather than walking around or over him/her.
Your dog should be fed two meals a day, not free fed.
Always have the dog "sit" and "wait" for up to 30 seconds after you put his/her food down and before he is allowed to eat. The alpha is the first to eat and the pack underlings wait until given permission before they eat.
Before he is allowed to eat from the bowl, your dog should be fed a few morsels from your hand.
If your dog jumps up on you, withdraw your hand and remove the food bowl. Try again in 10 minutes.
Have your dog "sit" and "wait" for up to 30 seconds before you let him go in and out of doors. If you are with the dog, you should go first. The alpha enters and exits the den before the others in the pack and dogs instinctively understand this.
Have the dog "wait" at one end of the stairs until you have finished climbing or descending, then call him/her to you.
Only allow your dog to jump on the furniture or you when invited to do so. It is not a good idea to encourage your dog to jump on you in any circumstances as this gives the dog an advantage in body posture (the dominant dog is higher than the less dominant dog).
Parade around in front of your dog with his/her favourite toy or treat in your mouth. The dog does not get the toy/treat in this exercise.
Your dog should sleep on the floor in your bedroom. Littermates’ sleep huddled together, alpha has a separate place in the den. Sleeping in the same room as your dog is great for bonding and quality "quiet time."
Sit in your dog’s bed or "place" every day.
Teach your dog to eliminate on command.
Pick ONE spot in your yard for your dog to urinate. The first time your dog urinates, he/she does so to eliminate, every other time the dog is marking his/her territory.
If your dog paws or nudges you for attention, ask the dog to do something (like "sit" or "bring a toy") BEFORE petting the dog. While affection is an important part of your relationship with your dog, you (the alpha) should be in charge of when or if it happens. This is crucial for dogs with separation anxiety or aggression issues.
Petting your dog should be done in an upbeat way – short and quick.
Gently pin back your dog’s ears while you are petting him/her.
Play games like fetch with your dog. Teach your dog tricks. Avoid games where the dog has the opportunity to "win," as in tug or war or wrestling.
When you ask your dog to do something, follow through have the dog do it. That way your dog is not challenging your leadership by ignoring you!

*Never yell at your dog. It is not leader like or nurturing. It indicates that you have lost control.