Claim your space

Dogs know that the pack leader has an area of space that is his/hers.  Dogs are amenable to this but they do they will test these boundaries until the Pack Leader claims there space.  It is an interesting concept and goes hand and hand with the idea of energy projection.  Our energy state is how we communicate with our pack.  If we are calm-assertive we can create our own space without saying a word.  The dogs in our pack will get a sense of energy that says this is my line in the sand, don't cross it or you will be violating the rules of the pack leader.  As we have mentioned before, dogs do not want to violate pack rules because instinctively they know order in the pack is necessary for their survival. 

So then why is it so hard for people to claim their space? 
The main reason is energy projection.  If we are not in the calm-assertive mode, our dogs will not feel secure, stable or deferential to us as the leader.  They will automatically sense a void or a vacuum in the leadership role.  The result is predictable.  Dogs value a stable pack, they need this structure to feel safe and secure.  One of the dogs will usually act out in more dominent ways or become more agitated with the other dogs.  However, if we are in the right state of mind, projecting the calm-assertive energy that brings the firmness of structure to the pack, claiming your space will be a mere formality.  It take a little longer with a puppy but they will catch on very quickly too. 

The way to claim your space is simple once your energy is calm-assertive.  If your intent is to move your dog out of your space you need to stand up tall, facing the dog.  At times you can use a stick or a tennis racket or anything to extend your arm length.  This is not to hit the dog or hurt the dog in anyway, it is just easier to calm the dog down once he feels he is "locked in" the space right in front of you.  Some dogs will resist and turn sides, some will sit and aquese, some will growl, but eventually most will lay down and relax and accept the boundary.  You can gradually move closer to the dog until he gets the message that you are the pack leader and you are claiming your space. 

On rare circumstances dogs may try to bite or nip at you in resistance but if you are in the right state of mind and you are doing it with your own dog, a dog that you are familiar with, you should get a postive result. It will take repetition and have to be done each time your dog enters your space uninvited but after a few time it will be all over. 

Information for this article was taken from the book "The Power of Calm-Assertive Energy-How It Can Make You The Pack Leader" .  The books discusses how to be a pack leader to your dogs and how to apply the power of calm assertive energy to your daily life. 

Dogs can help you stay on course in life

Dog training is really a study in human psychology.  If you understand that we are all just bits and pieces of energy made up in the form of a human you will understand that everything we come into contact with will feel our energy.  The energy that we project has an enormous influence on how we interact with life.  If we are calm-assertive around our dogs, our dogs will be happy and calm in return.  They will gladly follow our lead.

  
This principal also applies to life in general notjust dog training.  Everyone has had one of those days when something is bothering you or upsetting you and it seems like on thing after another goes wrong and finally when you get off work you relax and regroup and just call it a bad day.  Well there some theories that say we are either attracting repulsing that which we want or don't want through our energy projection or commonly referred to as vibration. If you can grasp this concept then you will have a great time being Pack Leader because your dogs will be the best form of feed back you can find. Your dogs are worth 10 times more than a life coach or a personal assistant because they will give you the instant and accurate feedback that will keep you calm and assertive.  When in this state your vibration will be at a level that is in harmony with the universe and all good things will flow to you.  It is within your power to create the vibration that will attract all that you desire.  You can do it with a little help from your pack.  Your pack will love it when you are the best Pack Leader you can be and they will behave accordingly.  They are your compass that will guide your to a better feeling way of life.  You will be practicing the Laws of Attraction everyday and you will know when you are off course because your dogs will be the instant feedback that will alert you to check your state of mind and get back to the powerful pack leader energy of calm-assertive living.

Normal Dog Behavior, despicable human behavior on The Dog Whisperer

  Watching the show The Dog Whisperer today I have seen something that was both good and disturbing at the same time.  Cesar was called on to help a woman and her dog that have moved back in with the woman’s mother.  It was clear from the consultation that this was going to be trouble because the anger and passive aggressive energy was running deep.  I could see the tension in the house between the mother and daughter with 30 seconds.  I could actually feel it coming through the screen.  This dog had no chance of being in a calm-submissive state unless her owner made drastic changes to her behavior.  She was clearly self-centered and self-righteous while showing little will to do what was best for her dog and the household.  It became clear that she was not willing to make the effort or to accept the responsibility of being a dog owner. 

Cesar even said he cut the consultation short because of the tension between the mother and daughter.  I could see the daughter was domineering and angry but the mother was not able to express her repressed anger about the entire situation.   It was classic case of enmeshment and a classic case of the angry daughter coming home to live with her mother who was clearly not happy about having a new roommate.    

The daughter brought her rescue dog into the home and blamed her mother for her dog’s behavior.  She said her dog misbehaved because her mother’s dog was a Prima Dona.  It was a bit disheartening to see her reactions because she was just verifying what I already knew about her. 

It was going to be the dogs fault, the mother’s fault, or the grandson’s fault but never her fault as the dog owner.  I could tell the daughter was never going to take responsibility for her behavior enough to give her dog a good home. 

It was very disturbing to think of how easily she was willing to take the dog back.  She tried within days of adopting her but thankfully the shelter talked her out of it.  She made the reference that the people at the shelter made her feel guilty so she kept the dog.  It was disgusting behavior if you ask me and it was clear that this woman needed a psychologist, not a dog whisperer.   Of course she didn’t realize what she needed so she blamed it on her dog and fortunately for the dog, she called on Cesar. 

It was one of the few times when it is clear from Cesar’s statement about the consultation that he knew this was not a good situation.  I watched in horror as Cesar returned for a check up and they woman was talking about taking the dogs teeth out so they would not have to worry about it biting.  If this wasn’t bad enough she also said she was considering putting the dog to sleep.  I was disgusted.  I could not believe someone could be so irresponsible and self absorbed to think about putting a dog to sleep because they couldn’t accept responsibility for their negative energy that was affecting the dog. 

This was one of the nastiest and cruel people I have ever seen on the Dog Whisperer Show.  A few times there have been people there were completely out of touch with how their behavior was affecting the health of their pack.  However, this was the most disturbing, cruel and horrible human behavior I have ever seen on the show.

Cesar seemed a bit shocked at the thought of removing the dog’s teeth to solve the problem and thankfully he stepped in and offered to take the dog and find a new home for her after a stay at the rehabilitation center.  You could see that he was very confident that the dog was going to be just fine in short period of time.  They showed how the dog was doing at the rehabilitation center and at Cesar’s home and she was having a good time being a dog and was ready to be adopted by a good, knowledgeable family. 

It was the best of both worlds on this episode of the Dog Whisperer.   The despicable behavior of one human and the generous behavior of another had been clearly revealed on a show that is supposed to be about dogs. 

The show often reveals just how intertwined human psychology is with dog psychology.  Of course this was an episode that lets us know, again, that dogs are more receptive healthy energy than most people. 

Discovering the Power of Calm-Assertive Behavior and being the Pack Leader

Discovering the Power of Calm-Assertive Behavior and how it can make you the Pack Leader. 

The phrase Calm-assertive behavior is more than a term that is used to help you train your dog.  It also is a phrase that has the power to transform your future.  Our dogs give us a chance to learn the power of calm-assertive behavior on a daily basis.  Our goal to have a better, more satisfying relationship with our dog, gives us the perfect opportunity to create a better, more satisfying life as we develop our power.  We develop our power by using calm-assertive behavior, by increasing our self esteem, self confidence, positive intention.  All of these “power” building methods are what will turn us into great pack leaders. 

“Dog Psychology” is actually a study in human psychology.  If we can understand dogs and pack behavior we can see how important intuition and calm-assertive behavior are in nature.  If we translate this into more calm-assertive behavior our intentions will begin to change as well. 

If you want a great dog, you need to become great at being projecting calm-assertive energy, increase your self esteem, and develop your intuition.  Once you begin to make these changes in your behavior you will see significant changes in your surroundings.  Your life will change for the better in all ways and your dog will be more willing to follow you as a calm-assertive pack leader.  Your dog will give you the proper feed back that will let you know you are living with positive intentions.  It will be very clear when they begin to respect you as the pack leader. 

Dogs show us some of the wonderful personality traits that we all tend to suppress as we get overly busy.  The world we live in places little value on play, relaxation, and fun.  Our admiration for the go-getters and the type A crowd have given us the impression that calm-assertive behavior is something to be sought by Tibetan monks.  We have lost our connection with the inner most workings of the soul as our intuition has been tucked neatly away into the recesses of our subconscious mind.  If we are going to be the pack leader we have to shift our thoughts and intentions in a way that focuses more on the power of our intentions.  The pack leader needs to lead with powerful intention.  This sends out the right energy that is easy for our dogs to follow. 

Be the Pack Leader!