Rescue a Dog and learn to be the pack leader

These dogs get their own couch.

Many dogs that are up for adoption are not bad dogs but they need to have a strong pack leader.  Rescuing or adopting a dog from the shelter can be a very rewarding experience if you are willing to do what it takes to be a leader of the pack.

 You have to keep in mind having a dog is not that much different from having young children.  You have to spend time with your dog everyday, make sure they get exercise everyday, make sure they have food and water everyday and you can't go on vacation unless you take the dog with your or find a dog sitter.  You will have to spend time training them and working with them if they are young or old.  You will have to work hard to be a good pack leader. 

You will not have complete freedom in your life and you will have to sacrifice some things in order to be a good pack leader.  Dogs take a lot of time and a serious commitment and once you take the dog with you, both you and the dog deserve a fair chance to become good pack members.  One of the worst things you can do is to take a dog home for a few days and change your mind.  You have to be prepared to stick it out and to accept the responsibility that comes with having a dog.  Dogs deserve a chance to have a good home. 

Bobo in one of her favorite shady spots

It is very important to realize that the problems you have with your dog will likely have to do with how you interact with the dog.  The dogs will follow you if your are a good pack leader and have the calm-assertive energy that dogs understand.  Usually this takes time and a lot of practice on your part.  Dogs are receptive and want to learn.  They understand rules and boundaries because this has been their way of life in pack for thousands of years. 

As the pack leader you will be responsible for acting like a pack leader and be sure the pack is doing well.  Please adopt a dog from a local shelter.  Just keep in mind that you will probably have to change a few things about yourself in order to be a good pack leader. 



If you getting dog you should know that it will be a great way to evaluate your own personality and energy.  You will have to become more aware of your energy state and be sure to learn how to project calm-assertive energy that is needed to be a good pack leader.

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. 

Being a Calm-assertive Pack Leader can be good for everyone

Being the Calm-assertive pack leader can be a lot of fun.  Your time spent with your dogs will be so much more rewarding if you can become the pack leader by practicing calm-assertive behavior.  If you become the pack leader by using other methods you can be the pack leader.  Your dogs will not have the respect for you that they would have if your energy was in the proper place. 

This is very important to understand.  If you have read this far or searched the internet and are still reading this article you probably are very devoted to your dogs.  You probably were looking for information that would help your dogs live a calm, stable and happy existence.  Most people, I think, have good intentions when they take in a rescue dog or when they adopted a puppy. 

People have many different stories to tell about how they ended up with their dogs but it usually seems to have something to do with how cute they puppy was or they couldn’t let another dog be euthanized.  The popularity of the Dog Whisperer show would lead us to believe that people are becoming more aware the extreme over crowding at dog shelters across the country.  

There is really no need for puppy mills or such a large number of breeders in the USA.  It is tragic that we are putting dogs down every single day of the year in the hundreds and thousands because people couldn’t deal with keeping them.  I would not be bothered a bit if there was a moratorium put on dog breeding for a couple of years.  I know some people to this for their full time living but breeding dogs should be illegal.  We don’t need to be killing more dogs at the shelters because someone wanted to have papers to go with their new puppy.  The breeding of dogs is a complete manipulation of the species to make sure people feel like their dog is better than the neighbors.

There about putting down so many dogs that could be great dogs if they were given the chance.  By making your commitment to becoming a calm-assertive pack leader, you are doing something that will help reduce over crowding at the local shelters.  The more we can get people to connect with their pets on a different level by using the calm-assertive dog training techniques we will be reducing the likelihood of people taking their dogs to the shelter out of frustration and anger. 

As people get in touch with their more subtle forms of communication as they work on being good pack leaders they will be amazed at the joy of projecting calm-assertive energy.  They will be doing what is right for the dogs and they will be doing what is right for them.  Their new found energy will begin to make significant changes in the rest of their lives as they become a better top dog. 

Being a calm-assertive pack leader means that we are living more in line with the natural energy of the universe.  Being good pack leader is a great launching pad for us all.  If we can master our emotions while training our dogs will be on the path to changing our energy.  Our dogs will sense this and give you more and more respect and the universe will be more in harmony all areas of your life.

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!

How to Correct Your Dog’s Behavior as the Pack Leader

How to Correct Your Dog’s Behavior as the Pack Leader 

When you correct your dog you must always release the energy as soon as the dog relaxes.  You must be relaxed at this time as well.  Breathe in and let it out so you can release your fear, frustration or anger and get back to the calm-assertive state. 

It is no secret that dog training and behavior modification is often very stressful.  It can be stressful on the dog, the owner and the rest of the pack.  We often may get into our own “Red Zone” when we reach the limit of our patience.  It is best if you can correct your dog when you are in a calm-assertive state but there will be times when your frustration will get the best of you.  It happens to everyone who is trying to train a puppy or a dog but this behavior causes us to project anger energy. 

This anger energy will give your dog the wrong impression.  He will feel that you are not projecting the calm-assertive energy and they will not be willing to follow your direction for the right reasons.  They may become calm-submissive but it will be out of fear than out of respect. 

An example would be if your dog was being too aggressive with another dog.  It happens a lot with different breads or dogs of different ages.  One dog may think he is playing or being playful when the other dog is just getting upset or angry.  It is up to the human pack leader to make sure their dog doesn’t get overly aggressive or overly playful with dogs in the pack.  The same thing holds true for the pack leader, you or me, if our dog is being “too playful” with a dog from another pack.

Often we will have to take action quickly.  If the dogs are off leash it will be easy for us to get excited and to project fearful or anger energy.  Once we reach the dog we can correct them by getting them into the calm-submissive state. We do this by making them sit, lie down or have them lie down and roll over.  As soon as you get the dog’s attention and you have accomplished your goal for that moment you have to make sure you are in a calm-assertive state free from frustration or anger.

The mission is accomplished.  You then need to let go of that frustration and release it Forget about it so you can get back into the present moment.  It is what your dog will understand the best.  They know they have been corrected by the pack leader.  Dogs are willing to accept being corrected by the pack leader if they are projecting the calm-assertive energy.  If the pack leader has the respect of the pack corrections will be done with less resistance. 

This type of correction reminds me of how an older dog or mother dog corrects their pup.  Certain times even the cutest of all puppies will try the patience of their older pack members.  When the breaking point of the older dog is reached they will correct the puppy swiftly and certainly.  It all happens in a matter of seconds and then it is over.  You might hear a short growl and see a strategic placement of the older dog’s mouth on the neck of the puppy. Regardless of how it happens, it is short, assertive and full of intention.  The older dog means business and the puppy understands 100%.  They just received a very quick and powerful lesson about boundaries. 

Trusting your intuition about your dogs will make you a better pack leader

What I was noticing was the start of tumor several years before it grew to block my dog's air way.  She suffered a long time as it grew.  I continued to ask the doctors but not one of them did the right thing to find out what really was going on.  I went as far as asking them directly about her breathing and why she was panting so much and the night before she died I even went as far as to ask if they thought she was choking on something.  I was assured it was her lungs.  It wasn't her lungs. 

GUIDE TO DOG SYMPTOMS AT PETPLACE.COM





It is a sad story and I know many people have tragic, heart breaking stories about losing their dogs to some illness or accident.  But I wanted to explain to you the bond you will have with your dog if you use you other senses more when you communicate with your dog.  You will also have to use you calm-assertive energy to make sure your dogs get the proper care they deserve.  I did not do this with Bobo, and I made the mistake of relying on the "experts" and asking family if they thought something was wrong.  Everyone said she looked fine but I should have been more assertive with the doctors.  It may have helped avoid some needless suffering if the tumor could have been treated at such an early stage.  I don't know for sure but I learned a good lesson about my own intuition and my assertive behavior.  I have been much more assertive with the doctors and I have also made sure to be a lot more informed about what certain symptoms could mean.   

Being the pack leader is a lot of things besides just holding your dog on a leash.  It is something that will impact your life forever.  If you can learn to be a great pack leader you will be doing all the things you need to do to have a healthier, happier and more successful life.  Our dogs have so much to teach us if we are willing to listen. 

The Healthy Dog Cookbook: 50 Nutritious & Delicious Recipes Your Dog Will Love

pack leader and dog whisperer make for a special bond between man and dog

They look so innocent. 

Becoming a dog whisperer doesn't happen over night.  As humans we are used to communicating everything through speech or the written word.  Our energy is important but people are less perceptive than dogs in reference to our energy.  We may be able to to pretend we are strong and assertive to humans and they might to for it, but our dogs can sense what is behind the facade.  If our energy is not calm-assertive our dogs will know right away and will not willingly follow as part of your pack.  But humans may believe what you tell them.  We all have been fooled by someone who was a smooth talker that later turned out to be a cheat or a fraud. 

Our dogs can read between the lines better than we can but we have the potential to use our intuition more.  We have instincts and senses that we have let go dormant for years.  As we evolved we learned to trust our senses less and less and it often has left us vulnerable to the "smooth talkers".  But as we become a better, stronger pack leader we will be projecting calm-assertive energy as well as developing our intuition.  As pack leader we will be using our intuition to assess the health and energy of our dogs.  They won't be able to tell us what is wrong.  But the more we get in tune with our pack and our dog training becomes more of a partnership, we will be able to tell things about our dogs that no one else would ever know. 

I could see something wrong with one of my dogs several years before she died.  I had spent a great deal of time with her for 5 or 6 years and I could tell if something was wrong.  The problems arise when our special bond with our dog can not be matched by the vet.  I noticed one of her eyes seemed to be drooping or bulging out and I took her to the doctor right away.  They assured me that it was nothing and it was normal for Labradors and it was totally fine. 
I knew it wasn't totally fine had her checked several times and everyone seem to placate me but never really give me a good answer.  I don't think modern medicine can account for intuition and vets tend to see most people as overly nervous about their dogs.  But about a year or two later the vet said it may be glaucoma in her eye and started her on daily eye drops.  This went on for a few years and I knew it wasn't working and that something just wasn't right  but I deferred to the doctors expertise.  I have sense changed my philosophy on that with my other dogs and cats. 

More to the story here. 



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Cesar’s Way or another dog training method?

Cesar’s Way or another dog training method?  

This article will give you a few suggestions on how to find the right dog training method for you and your pack. 

There are hundreds of dog training methods to choose from when you get your new dog or puppy.  It seems like there are dog training experts everywhere selling their “best” ever dog training methods.  Since Cesar Millan came on the National Geographic Channel as the Dog Whisperer, everyone decided dog training was a new money maker.  I am sure most trainers have the expertise they claim but before you pick a method you will have to do some research.  After you have gathered enough information you can then make a much better decision. 

A lot depends on you the dog owner.  Her are a few questions you need to answer when you start your search for a dog trainer or dog training method. 

1. Do you want what is best for the dog or do you just want obedience? 


2. Do you want to hire a trainer or be the trainer? 


3. Do you want to train your dog using treats and positive reinforcement?


4. Do you want to use the Clicker method?


5. Do you want to use electronic collars that use electricity to control your dog?


6. Do you want to illicit obedience by force or by creating fear in your dog?  

                                          -OR-

7. Do you want to use training as a way to develop a stronger bond with your dog? 


8. Do you want to use a method of training that has little need for the use of treats?  A method that does not call for you to hit, spank, prod or abuse your dog in anyway?    

This method relies on your energy as the Alpha dog and pack leader rather than electricity.  This way of training is commonly referred to as Cesar’s Way.  If you want to be a dog whisperer this is the method you need to use. 

One of the things I had always tried to resist was the use of treats as a reward to train any of my dogs.  I had little training or experience in training dogs but I just didn’t want to have to “bribe” my dog into behaving.  I was not sure this was possible but I was certain that I wanted to have a stronger bond with my pet.  My thought was that the treats might get in the way of building a better handler/dog relationship.  It wasn’t until several years later I was fortunate enough to see the Dog Whisperer show.  I immediately realized this was what I was looking for all along. 

 

However, this method of training had many more hurdles for me to get over before I felt like I was making any real progress.  I was not surprised that I was influencing my dog’s behavior with my energy but I wasn’t so sure that I wanted to train myself first before I could project the calm-assertive energy necessary to be the top dog.  So I was going to have to be learning about pack behavior right along with my dog Bobo.

I can say with out hesitation, after using the Dog Whisperer techniques on 7 dogs and having my own pack for over 10 years, that the way of the pack leader is the most rewarding and most satisfying way to train your dog.  If you are truly concerned about what is best for your dog and are willing to look in the mirror at how your own behavior influences the behavior of your pets, you will love Cesar’s Way.  You will be doing what is best for you and your dog.  You will not regret it. 

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Why do dogs take so well to Cesar's Millan Methods?

What we can learn about instincts from our dogs.

Instinct is in animals is similar to what we call intuition in humans.  Our dogs operate on instinct that has been part of their evolution and they don’t question it.  Dogs can sense something is going wrong or when a person is in a bad mood or if someone is nervous.  Dogs had to rely on their instinct to survive in the wild before they became more domesticated.  However, dogs still use there “intuition” or instinct to sense what is going on around them.  They can tell what kind of energy is in the air at that moment.  The calm-assertive energy given off by a good pack leader is the energy that dogs naturally follow.  They are drawn to this energy because this was the energy of their pack leaders when they were living as wolves in the wild. 

Dogs are always tuned in to the alpha dog, or pack leader.  They are continually assessing their energy state and will automatically act according the energy they sense from the pack leader.  The structure of the pack is necessary for survival and since dogs don’t have the luxury of talking, they have to communicate in much more subtle ways. Training dogs or a pack of dogs requires constant monitoring of the energy we are projecting. 

If you are training your dog but you do not maintain the proper calm-assertive energy level dogs will be nervous and uncomfortable around you.  They will be more likely to act out or just be more difficult to train.  Dogs naturally have a lack of trust for anyone or anything with a nervous, frustrated or angry demeanor. 

Humans have learned to communicate in other ways often to our detriment.  We have learned to push our intuition to the side in many cases.  Of course there are certain times when it is good to push our fear aside and move forward. In certain cases it is imperative that we push back against our fear, but this is usually when we have an abnormal fear or a fear that is not aproportionate for the level of risk. 

For example if you have a fear of public speaking, it may be a worth while goal to battle that fear and become more comfortable speaking to an audience or classroom.  It would be to your benefit if it was important for your work.  Also overcoming this type of fear will often improve your self esteem. 

However, if we get the message as children that are feelings don’t matter as much as someone else’s or if our feelings are not treated with proper respect from our care givers, we may be suppressing the very important messages from our intuition.  People will even go as far as trying to convince themselves that their intuition about someone or about a certain situation is wrong and will repress the fear. 

Cesar Millan references the book “The Gift of Fear”  by Gavin De Becker when he discusses how energy and intuition can play a vital role in having a well adjusted and stable dog or pack . 

      {De Becker gave an example of how we forget that we have powerful intuition when as he told the story of his friend not selecting a contractor because her dog growled at him.  De Becker said the dog was likely an expert at reading her and she was an expert at reading people without realizing it.  He said the dog was likely just reading her and sensing her concern.  De Becker goes on to say that humans have something dogs do not have and that thing is judgment.  He states that this is what allows us to disregard our intuition unless we can explain it logically.  We tend to honor our intellect rather than our intuition.  We succumb to our judgment and are distracted from reality by our hopes and wishes of how things could or should be in spite of the reality.}

The extra special thing about dogs is how much of a gift they are to us once we realize they are teaching us to become more self aware.  They are letting us know when our energy is out of balance.  All we have to do is pay attention and be willing to get better in touch with our feelings and our energy level.  Most people go through life with no clue what type of energy is ruling their lives or what they are projecting in the world.  (At least until they get a couple dogs.)

Being a good trainer for your dogs and a good pack leader is not only enriching to the lives of our dogs but it helps us become more calm and centered. It is not fair to your dogs if you refuse to open your eyes to how your behavior can have negative or positive consequences on your pack.  

Learn to trust your intuition more and you will be opening the door to a more calm-assertive energy in your life.  Your stress level will also go down and you will create a much greater more loving bond with your dogs. 

If you want to train your dog in the most loving way possible, bond with them in a special way, and never have to punish your dog then you need take a look at the dog whisperer’s DVDs on being a good pack leader.

Pack Leader at the Dog Park-a dog training lesson

Don't Forget the Treats

 

Sammy, Buddy, Jake, Bobo, Scruffy and Jack

Yesterday I was at the dog park and saw a perfect example of a pack leader.  This was the best dog training lesson for anyone to witness because it is much different to see it happening before your eyes rather than on the Dog Whisperer Show.  It was fun to see. 

 The dog park is set up with three large areas that are fenced off around the outside and divided with two fences down the middle.  The large square area and the two dividers have gates to pass from one section to the other.  A woman with a medium size dog and very small dog was walking in the farthest corner of the third section.  On one end of her section some larger dogs were playing and it looked as though she didn’t want to go that direction.  I was in the middle section with my six large dogs, one of them a young Pit Bull who likes to greet everyone who comes into the gate with great enthusiasm.  It was quite clear she felt a little trapped. 

The only way for her to get out was to go through one of the areas with the large dogs.  She tried the back end gate which is always locked in order to keep a limited number open so there is not complete chaos at the park with dogs coming and going from every direction. 

 I was getting ready to approach the woman and ask her if she wanted me to corral my dogs so she could walk through with her dogs on the leash.  My dogs are typically very good with other dogs.  However, I have Aussies and they like to herd anything in site and if they all start off together it can frighten some of the dogs.  If I am not close enough to get their attention I don’t like it.  Keep in mind this is a huge dog park that is over 10 acres and if I am by one gate and someone comes through the other gate I can’t keep up with the dogs if they decide to go investigate. These three are usually so interested in chasing the tennis ball that they don’t even pay attention to other dogs.  The Pit Bull puppy still has puppy energy and is a little over friendly at times.  He is learning though and doing well when I am being a good pack leader.

The woman in the other section was on the phone so I didn’t say anything to her and then got distracted picking up a few tennis balls a few hundred feet away from the gate.  The next thing I see is this young woman walking through the end gate with no warning.  She had both her two smaller dogs on leashes and she was in complete control.  She exuded calm, assertive energy as she entered the gate, her dogs following perfectly. My Pit Bull ran over to say hello to the dogs and I was a little nervous being a long way away.  But her pack was on a mission. 

She held her head up, had one hand on the phone, the other hand holding both leashes.  As my dog approached she paid no attention to him and told her dogs to keep moving.  My dog got in one sniff and they were still on the move.  His playful energy was completely neutralized by the woman’s strong assertive energy.  She was going to complete her mission and get through the park without any big dogs bothering her or her little ones.  She did it just the way Cesar would have done. 

It would be nice to have gotten it on video because it would have been a great dog training aid while reinforcing the dog whisperer methods.  It was the first time I have seen another person practice being the pack leader in person.  I have seen it on the Dog Whisperer Television show, read about it in books, and try to be a good pack leader myself but witnessing this event totally convinced me that dog training is all about energy.  I could feel it myself and my Pit Bull didn’t know what to do.  He was completely obedient and did not try to disrupt her pack. 

I already was a big believer in the methods Cesar teaches but this made me even more certain that it really is possible for our calm, assertive energy to have a major influence over our dogs.  If you are interested in doing what is best for your pack I would recommend watching the Dog Whisperer Show or go ahead and try the Cesar Millan DVD’s on dog training.