want to understand and become a better pack leader

[song032005]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/34_rotflmao.gif[/img]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/15_ssst.gif[/img] oops!

[Suka]

http://www.flyingdogpress.com/artlibreg.htm

[luvmdo]

I am adding this thread to my faves RIGHT NOW!!! Thank you so much!

[CherryCola]

Thankyou so much Angie!!!! That 'Who's In Charge?' article was fantastic! I hadn't realised Logan was the 'alpha' male. I've been searching everywhere on how to get him to stop growling, ect. And everything that's been suggested so far hasn't worked because I'd tell him no or something and he'd answer me back or throw a tantrum and empty the dustbin [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/08_rolleyes.gif[/img] It was interesting to read, because it was like they were talking about my dog, lol.
I've been having quite a bit of trouble with him, so I'm really greatful, I'll be trying the stuff suggested out from today [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/18_thumb.gif[/img]

[DianaM]

Excellent PDF file about groundwork and establishing leadership from Leerburg: http://www.leerburg.com/pdf/packstructure.pdf

[song032005]

does anyone want to share, if you had found this thread, applied any of the things mentioned and if it helped you?

im sure folks would like to know how its working for others.


here is my share:
i use alot of the things mentioned here and it has helped me a great deal. one of the things i like especially is since forrest was a young pup i would have him sit and stay and wait for me to release him for his food and water bowls. it takes some time for them to learn but food is a great thing to get their focus. this helped so much in calming him down to wait patiently for his food, rather than running and jumping all over me in excitement. nothing worse then having half the bowl of water all over the floor. i was fortunite to find this info early on and incorperate it in our everyday lives. i also do the same thing when we are about to exit the house or put forrest in the car. before he gets petted, and even a few times during play time. it is a calmer for him and also reminding him that i am the one in control and as most of you know GSD like some other breeds can be very pushy when they want something, so this is a big help with any dog.

anyone else?

[DanLW]

I don't own a GSD yet, but I'm doing my homework. I recently read Cesar's Way, and here is my non-professional review.

If you read some of the one star reviews at Amazon, you can easily get the wrong idea about the book. Claims range from the book being an autobiography to accusations that Cesar advocates the use of shock collars, which I have neithr read in the book nor seen in any of his season 1 television shows. (of which I've seen them all)

The first chapter is indeed a short autobiography. It basically provides the background to Cesar's life and how he got to where he is. However, once chapter 2 begins, the autobiography ends.

If you are looking for specific ways to deal with behavior problems, this is not what you're looking for. This book rather shares Cesar's philosophy of how dogs think, and how we need to act in order to be a calm assertive pack leader. This book is more for the person who wants to know how to act so that severe problems don't develop.

In Chapter 2 he shares his theory on the energy shared between all humans and animals. For example, a dog jumping up on somebody is excited energy. Likewise a human shouting at the dog jumping up on him is also displaying excited energy. It's this energy that we need to control so that our dog gets the right message. Types of energy include excited, nervous, agressive, calm-assertive, and calm-submissive. The first three are to be avoided by both the dog and the human.

Chapter 3 talks about dog psychology. In forming his views on dog psychology, Cesar indicates that the two books which most influenced and reassured him about what he knew about dogs were Dr. Bruce Fogle's "The Dog's Mind", and "Dog Psychology" by Leon F. Whitney, DVM. In this chapter he relates how dogs see things and how to relate to dogs. Dogs communicate with nose, eyes, ears, in that order. He mentions the proper way to meet a dog, and how to look at a dog: Animal, Species (Dog), Breed, Name/Personality.

Chapter 4 talks about the "Power of the Pack". This is the idea the bringing an unbalanced dog into a balanced healthy pack is the best therapy for an unbalanced dog since the other dogs will teach it how to behave in a balanced manner.

Chapter 5 is about issues and "How we screw up our dogs". It talks about what leads to dominance aggression, fearful aggression, hyperactivity, anxiety, obsession, phobias, and low self esteem.

Chapter 6 is in regards to the "Red Zone". This is where dogs go when we allow them to progress through all the stages leading to lethal levels of aggression. A dog in the "Red Zone" will not listen to anything anybody has to say. It's basically a kill mode. In this chapter he leads off detailing the tragic story of a lady in San Francisco who was killed by two Presa Canario/Mastiffs back in January of 2001. Later in the chapter he points out the circumstances that allowed these two dogs to progress that far. He ends the chapter with an admission that there were two dogs whom he was unable to rehabilitate. Cedar, a 2-year old purebred pit bull, and a 5-year old chow/golden retriever mix named Brutus. Both dogs are living out life in a no-kill shelter, a result of abuse early on in their lives.

Chapter 7 explains Cesar's formula for raising a balanced and healthy dog. This formula is Exercise, Discipline, and Affection in that order. Exercise encompases walks with the human leading. Discipline can be summed up in rules, boundaries, and limitations. Affection is what our dogs earn by adhering to rules boundaries and limitations.

Chapter 8 is about living happily with your dog. This chapter talks about choosing a dog, bringing him home, and setting rules.

Chapter 9, the final chapter, is a short pep-talk about how we can fulfill ourselves by fulfilling our dogs. Basically Cesar states the reasons that we need dogs more than they need us. And that by fulfilling their needs, they will fulfill ours.


Overall the book is a very good read. It's not one of those technical dive straight in, go down deep, come up dry type books. It's a good book for anybody who wants to better understand how to live with a dog in harmony. Throughout the book Cesar relates back to specific cases where he helped rehabilitate dogs (and their owners). These cases are both cases seen in his television series and cases from before his series.

Again this is not a "How to Fix Your Problem Dog" book. You won't find specific advice for particular problems. Rather you will find what he believes to be the best way to relate to our dogs so that they never develop a serious problem.

If you're looking for more specific advice on being the pack leader, "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell would be a good read. She presents a version which leans more toward the "positive only" end of the spectrum, while still detailing how we should behave in order for our dogs to see us as the pack leader. Personally, I think that both these books go very well together, and recommend both.

As to how well the methods work, we'll see how my future GSD turnes out.

"Hello, Cesar? Help! My GSD throws a fit every time he misses 'The People's Court'!"

[bearlasmom]

I agree this is a great read. I have jan fennels book and i find it very informative. Congrats,

[DebbieDavidson]

Great post. I read a few of them over these past few months as I've acquired my dogs. It was great to have a refresher. These are topics that dog owners should revisit time and again. How quickly I forget and let down the "rules."

Thank you!

Debbie

[stephcrawfish]

I just wanted to say, that this has been a HUGE help to me. I have only had Gretchen for 2 weeks now, and it was rough for a few days there, but I am doing the NILIF practices now, and OMG... what a drastic change in just a couple of days. It is truely remarkable. So thanks for all the links! What a breath of fresh air.