Top Dog and how do you get to be top dog?
You get to be top dog by acting very much like a dog does, challenging your dog and making sure you win. Your method of challenging him is a bit different, though. Whereas two dogs challenge each other by stiff legged standoffs or fighting, you use a series of very effective situations that are set up so you will be sure to win. Yes, being the top dog is stacking the deck against your dog. It is making sure, in advance, that you will win, because you cannot accept anything less than your dog’s complete acceptance that you are boss dog. You must win each challenge. Each challenge you make to your dog leads to the next one. Like how to teach a dog to roll over.
Your Job is to be Top Dog
Your job as top dog is to progress through the entire series of challenges and win every one. The process is called obedience training. It teaches your dog that in every situation he must do what you say, even though he might not have done things that way if he was left to his own choices. What happens when a dog fully accepts you as top dog? The huge burden is removed from his mind: he has tested you in all sorts of situations, and in each one you have made sure that he did what you said, whether he agreed with you or not.
He knows that you are top dog. Stronger and smarter than he is, because you insisted he’d do it as you said, even when he resisted. He now knows that you are trustworthy to head the pack and will make good decisions, and he can relax and simply do what you tell him or what you allow. He doesn’t have to be consistently vigilant looking for danger outside the pack; because you, as leader, will do that. All he has to do is do what you tell him to do. It is reassuring to him and a big load off his mind when your dog knows you are top dog.
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