There’s no ‘magic’ or luck behind creating the perfect dog. It is done through creating a balance of trust and respect between you and your dog. With total trust and respect, you needn’t worry about the “what if”s, such as “what if my dog bites?” “what if my dog runs off?” and so on. These what ifs are based on a lack of mutual trust, which is created between human and dog when the human knows how.

Foundations of attaining trust and respect entail: Walking your dog - this is a large aspect of how balanced the relationship is between you and your dog. Mutual trust and respect is earned from the walk.

Leading the walk involves setting the arrangement of the followers. The followers seek the leaders support when deciding which position to be in, in front, next to, or behind. An easy method involves putting a leash on your dog, and shortening it to allow your dog to stay next to or behind you, not pulling. This means you are playing the role of the leader by setting the position. There should be no stress on the leash, especially from your side. Once you start to lead the walk your dog will get the point and will give you respect.

If stress occurs on the lead then two things perhaps are occurring. You may be on a time limit, in a rush, or annoyed at the dogs lack of obedience. You may also not be projecting confidence enough to make your dog feel safe. Are you holding yourself calmly with arms low and relaxed? Trusting that your dog will not misbehave will return trust and respect, and will increase the likeliness of the dog behaving.

To dogs, love means work before reward. Consistent and maintained rules such as leaving time for the walk, when to get out of bed, are all rules that you as the leader should set, this way your dog earns love in a more natural way, by following you first. Setting limits and rules enable your dog to see that you are serious in keeping her healthy and happy, not just spoiling by giving love, love and more love. Dogs need more than just love! They are different to us like this; we should take the time to understand this.

Some of this information was gathered from the site of dog behaviorist George Manning.

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