Walking Your Dog to Pack Leadership

The walk for your dog is more than just a fun event in his life. The walk signifies something very primal in the dogs life. In the wild dogs walk to survive, each day they set out to find food. The pack leader (Alpha Dog) leads them on this trek for food. They follow his lead because they trust in his calm and strong leadership. Each dog in the pack understands that if they follow their leader and do their job within the pack a meal will follow. All dogs instinctually feel this primal need, and you can use this need to show your dog that you can be the strong leader that he desires.

The way you start your walk is extremely important to the concept of pack leadership. Never start the walk excitedly saying “Fido you want to go for a walk”, the dogs mind needs to be in a calm and submissive state before you put the collar and leash on. Once the leash is on, the dog should never be the first out of the door. Make you dog sit at the door as you step out, then call your dog outside remembering to remain calm and assertive. This will immediately tell you dog that you are in charge of this activity and your dog will happily follow you.

During the walk be sure that your dog is at your side or behind you. If the dog is out in front pulling you along this signifies that he believes he is in charge and he is the leader. Take control of the walk with the energy you project. Walk tall, walk proud, your dog will pick up on this and follow happily along with you. The more structured the walk is the better your dog will respond. The first part of the walk should be a good aerobic walk for both you and your dog. Keeping him at your side or behind you. In the middle allow time for the dog to urinate and/or defecate (remembering to pick up his mess) and just wander around and smell his environment. Make this part of the walk no longer then five or ten minutes. Then take another aerobic walk back home.

Finish the walk the same way you started by entering the house first then inviting your dog in. This now is a great time for some affection and a treat or even a meal. To fulfill your dogs primal needs. If you can do this structured walk for a half an hour to an hour once or twice a day you will see a change in your dog and your relationship with him.