15 ways to become a pack leader

A dog that does not know who is the leader of the pack is a confused dog and can exhibit many unwanted behaviors because of it. Your Great Dane is a pack animal. All dog packs have a pack leader and a social hierarchy in which each individual animal knows its own place.

Great Dane puppies are taught pack behavior by their mothers even before they leave the whelping box. By understanding pack behavior, you can use it to help train your dog.

Pack leadership always involves the strongest animal. In dogs and wolves, this leadership position is usually filled by an adult male in his prime with enough life experiences to lead the pack in the business of daily survival. Your dog will need to have a pack leader or he/she will become confused, causing him/her to display destructive behaviors and taking her anxiety out on those around her and her environment. A dog’s behavior and your dog’s body language is a good sign that she has a pack leader or is becoming the pack leader. A dog that knows her place in her human pack is a happy, well-balanced dog.

You, your family and your Great Dane form a pack. You or one of your family members will have to take on the responsibilities of alpha male or pack leader, and hopefully the hierarchy will have every human at a point above the Great Dane.

Here are 15 tips to help you become the pack leader of your dog family:

1. A pack leader always goes first. First when going through a door, first when going down or up stairs and first when walking your dog. Your dog must be behind the pack leader at all times. When walking his Great Dane, he should lead it, not follow it. Your dog should be next to you or behind you. Walks like this help release pent-up energy in your dog. This is the number 1 way to communicate that you are the leader of your dog pack.
2. When you enter the house or the room where your dog is, you should ignore the dog for a few minutes (even if you only leave the room for a minute).
3. Your dog should always have to work for a treat. A simple obedience command should be given before any reward is given. If he does not follow the command, he should not be rewarded with a treat. The dog should always take the treat from your hand gently.
4. You should have set times for feeding your Great Dane, Great Dane feeding should be done on a schedule. Do not feed your dog table scraps (especially Great Danes) Great Danes have very sensitive stomachs and if you stray from their normal food and treats you will have a sick Dane.
5. Just like walking through doors first, you should always eat first. The leader always eats first. When giving your dog food, first eat a small snack while your dog watches before feeding.
6. You should never allow your dog to bite or bite anyone at any time, including during play.
7. Your GREAT DANE should not sleep in your bed, not only because there may not be room for you, but because in the pack of dogs the leader sleeps in the most comfortable place. This does not mean that you can never allow your dog to climb on your bed. You can invite your Dane to lie down with you in bed, but have him stay at the foot of the bed and don’t get out of the way.
8. If you make eye contact with your Great Dane, you should first look away. When the dog looks away first, it reinforces his status as pack leader.
9. When walking your dog, you should never allow your dog to “walk you.” You must have a loose lease, not a tight one. Remember, the leader is always first and leads the way.
10. One of the basic commands your Great Dane puppies need to learn is “let go.” Whatever is in his mouth, you should be able to take possession of it at any time.
11. You should never play tug of war with your Great Dane. This is a power game and you can lose, especially if you have a Great Dane, you can end up hurt.
12. When you put your dog’s food bowl on the floor, make him wait until you tell him “Ok” to eat. Stand in front of the food bowl and have her sit down first. If the dog does not follow her command, take the food and try again in 15 minutes.
13. Every game you play with your Great Dane puppies should start and end with you.
14. If you have a very dominant dog who has a problem with growling, you should stop him immediately and not allow him to lie down on the couch. Remember, the leader of the pack gets the most comfortable spot.
15. The most important rule for being a pack leader is to imagine yourself as big, powerful and confident.

Remember, always stay in control and don’t let your emotions show while training your Great Dane. If you don’t think you’ll be able to establish this role, you should enroll your dog in Dog Training Classes. Your dog will be happy, balanced and secure knowing that he has a strong pack leader.

If you would like to learn more about the Great Dane or become a pack leader, click here. [http://www.greatdane-dog-world.com/pack-leader].