Forgetten Training Fact

Dogs are pack animals. I was recently reminded of this when I walked two of the dogs this morning. I was walking Sasha (Australian Shepherd/Chow Chow mix) and Bodhi (Tibetan Mastiff). As we walked past a small shrub, Sasha noticed the small lizard. She immediately ran at it in an an attempt to catch it. Bodhi very quickly noticed that Sasha was after something and began to look for whatever Sasha was looking at. His response was nearly immediate and very quick. This reminded me that the dogs act instinctively in packs and are much more dangerous in packs. Sasha is the dominant dog in our pack despite being the smallest dog.

How is this helpful in training? Well by being aware of pack instincts we can use those pack instincts to better manage training. For example, I have been working with Bodhi off lead, getting him to come even when off lead. TMs are primitive breed and although they have been domesticated for quite some time in Tibet - they are fiercely independent but strongly pack driven dogs. So I take Bodhi off lead and I walk the rest of the dogs. Bodhi lopes around us, but always staying within 200 ft of the pack. When I walk him off lead without the pack , he makes a strong effort to lead me instead having me lead. I reinforce my pack position by leading the walk going where I want and by occasionally stopping. Bodhi's pack instinct will then kick in and he will return to where I am sitting. For your own training purposes, remember a dog will naturally follow in a pack. Make sure your place in the hierachy is clear.

• Control the food. It's a solid reinforcer to have your dog sit or wait to recieve food from you.
  
• Your bed is your bed. Make sure that if you want the dog on the bed, you bring him there. Never let the dog dictate when he wants to sleep on the bed.
  
• In packs, alpha dogs always go first. You can do the same thing by making sure that when going outside, or walking the dog. Walk the dog on left hand side.