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Dominant dog? Are you a Leader or a follower?

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Click here! We can help reduce aggression!

Do you have a dominant dog? If your dog is dominant, we can help with dog training in chicago for your Chicago dog. Are you looking for boarding school in Chicago, or Dog Boot Camp? We have your obedience right here. Just give us a call. We are the best dog trainer in Chicago, Chicago dog trainer, training dogs in Chicago and trained dogs in Chicago...it's all right here at Chicagoland Dogs. Call us to help YOU with dog training!

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Pick a role. Leader or follower.

dominant dog, chicago dog

by Marc Goldberg

 

You live with a predator.

 

He is not human.

 

He is armed with fangs for slashing flesh and molars for crushing bone. His jaw may exert nine hundred pounds per square inch of pressure. He has forty-two teeth in all.

 

His sense of smell is so powerful that we, with our human limitations, can barely comprehend. Our olfactory sense does not detect odors unless they are painfully obvious. The nose of this more efficient hunter collects and concentrates minute traces of scent until they create a mental picture more detailed than a visual image. When he smells the ground, he knows every thing that has passed within many, many hours, days even.

 

While our human eyes process a wealth of colorful detail, his eyes are specialized organs tuned to detect movement above all.

 

Aligned above his eyes and nose, aimed forward, preternatural ears detect frequencies and sound which easily escape us. Noises such as the softest rodent squeak beneath a thick blanket of snow do not evade him. The footfall of a stranger on an outside porch step does not escape his attention. He hears the breath of large prey even from a distance.

 

He is swift. The fastest of his kind can sprint at forty miles per hour, covering ten feet in a single bound.

 

He is agile and he is strong. He can crawl. He can jump. He has a high ratio of muscle to fat. He is an efficient predator. A carnivore designed to detect prey, catch it, to kill, to eat, to reproduce.

 

He is a social animal. Left to his own kind, he will live in a clearly organized pack led by a dominant male and a dominant female. Serious challenges to the social structure will be met swiftly and violently. Yet a strong survival and social instinct inhibits this killer from harming his own kind unless necessary to maintain order. Thus, he speaks a complex and rich language with which he can advertise his intentions. He assures his pack mates that he means no harm, but that he will defend his rank within the pack.

 

He is an animal. He is a predator. He is opportunistic. He understands social order, his place in that order, and lacking strong leadership from above, he is ready to assume control of his pack. He is ready to defend his pack from outsiders. And he is ready to protect it from social unrest within.

 

He is your dog.

 

He has forsaken life with his kind to inhabit your world. But he has not forsaken his nature. He retains his predatory nature. He remains a social animal. You and your family members are his pack mates. You are his leader.

 

Or he is yours.

 

Make no mistake about it. Your dog understands the hierarchy in his pack, the organizational flow chart if you will. He will yield to pack mates above him on the chart, but not below.

 

For example, if you give your dog a high value treat such as a meaty bone, can you take it away? Does your dog remove the bone and run away with it as soon as you’ve given it? That is a low level form of resource guarding behavior. Higher up on the scale is when your dog freezes and stiffens over the bone. In his language, your dog is very clearly stating an intention to guard the resource.

 

The only question is to what length he will go in order to retain it. Perhaps he is bluffing. If you reach in closer to touch the bone he may give it up. Or perhaps he will begin to growl, stiffening further over the treat, revealing his fangs. Whether he decides to bite you is a question determined not only by his perception of your ranking versus his, but also by the level of aggression he is willing to employ in defending this resource from you on this day.

 

If he is your leader, then he decides whether or not you touch the bone, and if that act will cost you an injury. If you are his leader, then when you make clear your intent to take the bone, he drops it into your hand without protest.

 

Dogs do not bite by accident. They decide. They choose. They make conscious decisions in a split second. If your dog permits you to take food and other valuable resources away and is willing to follow your direction, chances are good that he regards you as his leader. Therefore, he will give you all the privileges due your rank.

 

However, you may find that the dog does not treat all members of your family the same. If he respects you, but not your spouse or children, this can lead to serious problems. Be on the look out for ranking issues in the family.

 

If you find that your dog does not accept your leadership role, consider contacting us or another professional dog trainer to assist you. Not all dominant dogs are aggressive. Some dogs are very benign dictators who never bother to reinforce their rules upon you. But if your dog is the leader in your home, things can go wrong in this backward relationship.

 

The beauty of dog training is that, much like counseling, it can put the relationship back on track so the love affair can flourish.

 

Copyright 2006 Marc Goldberg. All rights reserved. May not be reprinted without permission of the author.

The Continental Kennel Club is headquartered in Walker, LA.
The following is a list of the dog breeds recognized by the
CKC. Some of these dog breeds are quite rare. We have trained many of
the breeds. We will train your dog too!

Aberdeen Terrier, Abyssinian Sand Terrier, Affenpinscher, Afghan Hound, Ainu Dog, Airedale Terrier, Akbash Dog, Akita, Alano, Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, Alaskan Malamute, Alpine Dachsbracke, Altman White English Bulldog, American Bulldog, American Bullnese, American Eskimo, American Eskimo-miniature, American Eskimo-toy, American Foxhound, American Mastiff, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Water Spaniel, Anatolian Mastiff, Anatolian Shepherd Dog, Anglo-francais De Moyen Venerie, Anglo-francais De Petite Venerie, Anglo-françois,Grand, Appenzeller, Argentino Dogo, Ariegeois, Armant, Aryan Mollossus, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Kelpie, Australian Shepherd, Australian Shepherd - Miniature, Australian Silky Terrier, Australian Terrier, Austrian Brandlbracke, Austrian Shorthaired Pincher, Azawakh, Balkan Hound, Banjara Greyhound, Barbet, Basenji, Basset Artesian Normand, Basset Bleu De Gascogne, Basset Fauve De Bretagne, Basset Griffon Vendeen,Grand, Basset Griffon Vendeen,Petit, Basset Hound, Bavarian Mountain Hound, Beagle, Beagle Harrier, Bearded Collie, Bedlington Terrier, Belgian Griffon, Belgian Mastiff, Belgian Sheepdog,Groenendael, Belgian Sheepdog,Laekenois, Belgian Sheepdog,Malinois, Belgian Sheepdog,Tervuren, Belgian Shorthaired Pointer, Benchlegged Feist, Bergamasco, Berger De Beauce, Berger De Picard, Berger De Pyrenees, Berger De Pyrenees,Sm.Muzzled, Berner Laufhund, Berner Neiderlaufhund, Bernese Mountain Dog, Bichon Frise, Billy, Black And Tan Coonhound, Black Forrest Hound, Black Mouth Cur, Black Russian Terrier, Bloodhound, Blue Lacy, Bluetick Coonhound, Boerboel, Bolognese, Border Collie, Border Terrier, Borzoi, Bosnian Roughhaired Hound, Boston Terrier, Bouvier De Ardennes, Bouvier Des Flandres, Boxer, Boykin Spaniel, Bracco Italiano, Braque D'ariege, Braque D'auvergne, Braque Du Bourbonnais, Braque Dupuy, Braque Francais, Braque Francais De Petite Taille, Braque Saint-germain, Brazilian Terrier, Briard, Brittany Spaniel, Bruno Jura Laufhund, Brussels Griffon, Bull Terrier, Bullmastiff, Cairn Terrier, Cane Corso, Cao Da Serra De Aires, Cao De Castro Laboreiro,  Carolina Dog, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Catalan Sheepdog, Caucasian Owtcharka, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Cesky Fousek, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Chien D'artois, Chien De L'atlas, Chien Francais Blanc Et Noir, Chien Francais Blanc Et Orange, Chien Francais Tricolore, Chihuahua, Chihuahua,Longhaired, Chinese Crested, Chinese Foo Dog, Chinese Imperial Chin, Chinese Temple Dog, Chinook, Chortaj, Chow Chow, Cirneco Dell'etna, Clumber Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Continental Toy Spaniel,Papillon, Continental Toy Spaniel,Phalene, Coton De Tulear, Croatian Sheepdog, Curly-coated Retriever, Czesky Terrier, Dachshund, Dachshund-miniature, Dalmatian, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Danish Broholmer, Deutsche Bracke, Deutscher Wachtelhund, Dingo, Doberman Pinscher, Dogue De Bordeaux, Drentse Patrijshond, Drever, Dunker (norwegian Hound), Dutch Shepherd, Dutch Smoushond, East European Shepherd, East Siberian Laika, English Bulldog, English Cocker Spaniel, English Coonhound, English Foxhound, English Pointer, English Setter, English Shepherd, English Springer Spaniel, English Toy Spaniel, Entelbucher, Epagneul Bleu De Picardie, Epagneul Francais, Epagneul Picard, Epagneul Pont-audemer, Eskimo Dog, Estonian Hound, Estrela Mountain Dog, Eurasian, Feist, Field Spaniel, Fila Brasileiro, Finnish Hound, Finnish Lapphund, Finnish Spitz, Flat-coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog, Galgo Espano, Gascon-saintongeois (grand), Gascon-saintongeois (petit), German Hunt Terrier, German Longhaired Pointer, German Pincher, German Sheeppoodle, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Spitz,Giant, German Spitz,Small, German Spitz,Standard, German Spitz,Toy, German Wirehaired Pointer, German Wolfspitz, Giant Schnauzer, Glen Of Imaal Terrier, Golden Retriever, Gordon Setter, Grand Bleu De Gascogne, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Greek Harehound, Greek Hound, Greek Sheepdog, Greenland Dog, Greyhound, Griffon Bleu De Gascogne (petit), Griffon Fauve De Bretagne, Griffon Nivernais, Griffon Vendeen (briquet), Griffon Vendeen (grand), Haldenstovare, Hamiltonstovare, Hanoverian Hound, Harlequin Pinscher, Harrier, Havanese, Hawaiian Poi Dog, Hertha Pointer, Hovawart, Hunters Creek Feist,  Hygenhund, Ibizan Hound, Iceland Dog, Inca Hairless Dog, Irish Red And White Setter, Irish Setter, Irish Terrier, Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Wolfhound, Istrian Hound (smoothhaired), Istrian Hound,Wirehaired, Italian Greyhound, Jack Russell Terrier, Jamthund, Japanese Chin, Japanese Spitz, Japanese Terrier, Jindo, Jura Neiderlaufhund, Kai Dog, Kangal Dog, Kangaroo Dog, Karelian Bear Dog, Karelo-finnish Laika, Keeshond, Kerry Beagle, Kerry Blue Terrier, Khala, Kishu, Komondor, Kooikerhondje, Krasky Ovcar, Kromfohrlander, Kuvasz, Kyi-leo, Labrador Retriever, Lakeland Terrier, Lancashire Heeler, Landseer, Lapinporokoira, Latvian Hound, Leonberger, Leopard Cur, Levesque, Lhasa Apso, Lithuanian Hound, Longhaired Whippet, Lowchen, Lundehund, Luzerner Laufhund, Luzerner Neiderlaufhund, Magyar Agar, Mahratta Greyhound, Majestic Tree Hound, Maltese, Manchester Terrier, Maremma Sheepdog, Mcnab, Mexican Hairless, Middle Asian Ovtcharka, Middle Asian Owtcharka, Mi-ki, Miniature Bull Terrier, Miniature Pinscher, Miniature Schnauzer, Moscow Longhaired Toy Terrier, Moscow Watchdog, Mountain Cur, Mountain Feist, Mudi, Musterlander (large), Musterlander (small), Neapolitan Mastiff, Nenets Herding Laika, New Guinea Singing Dog, Newfoundland, Norbottenspets, Norfolk Terrier, Northeasterly Hauling Laika, Norwegian Buhund, Norwegian Elkhound, Norwegian Elkhound (black), Norwegian Lundehund, Norwich Terrier, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, Old Danish Bird Dog, Old English Mastiff, Old English Sheepdog, Olde English Bulldogge, Otter Hound, Owczarek Podhalanski, Patterdale Terrier, Pekingese, Penciltail Feist, Perdigueiro Portugueso, Perdiguero De Burgos, Perdiguero Navarro, Perro De Pastor Mallorquin, Perro De Presa Canario, Perro De Presa Mallorquin, Peruvian Inca Orchid, Petit Bleu De Gascogne, Petit Brabancon, Pharaoh Hound, Plott Hound, Podengo Portugueso Grande, Podengo Portugueso Medio,  Podengo Portugueso Pequeno, Pointer, Poitevin, Polish Hound, Polski Owczarek Nizinny, Pomeranian, Poodle-miniature, Poodle-standard, Poodle-toy, Portuguese Water Dog, Posavac Hound, Puapua Lena Lena, Pudelpointer, Pug, Puli, Pumi, Pyrenean Mastiff, Rafeiro Do Alentejo, Rampur Dog, Rastreador Brasileiro, Rat Terrier, Rat Terrier - Hairless Variety, Rat Terrier-miniature, Rat Terrier-toy, Redbone Coonhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Romagna Waterdog, Rottweiler, Rumanian Waterdog, Running Walker Foxhound, Russian Harlequin Hound, Russian Hound, Russian Spaniel, Russo-european Laika, Saarlooswolfhond, Sabueso Espanol De Monte, Sabueso Espanol Lebrero, Saint Bernard, Saluki, Samoyed, Sanshu Dog, Sarplaninac, Schapendoes, Schillerstovare, Schipperke, Schnauzer,Standard, Schweizer Laufhund, Schweizer Neiderlaufhund, Scottish Deerhound, Scottish Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Segugio Italiano A Pelo Forte, Segugio Italiano A Pelo Raso, Seppala Siberian Sleddog, Shar Pei-miniature, Shar-pei, Shetland Sheepdog, Shiba Inu, Shih-tzu, Shikoku, Siberian Husky, Silky Terrier, Skye Terrier, Sloughi, Slovak Cuvac, Smalandsstovare, Smooth Collie, Soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, South Russian Owtcharka, South Russian Steppe Hound, Spanish Mastiff, Spinone Italiano, St.Hubert Jura Laufhund, Stabyhoun, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Stephens Stock, Stichelhaar, Strellufstover, Stumpy-tail Cattle Dog, Styrian Roughhaired Mnt.Hound, Sussex Spaniel, Swedish Lapphund, Tahltan Bear Dog, Taigan,       Tasy, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, Telomian, Tibetan Mastiff, Tibetan Spaniel, Tibetan Terrier, Tosa Inu, Toy Fox Terrier, Toy Manchester Terrier, Transylvanian Hound (short), Transylvanian Hound,Tall, Treeing Tennessee Brindle, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Trigg Hound, Tyroler Bracke, Vasgotaspets, Vizsla, Volpino Italiano, Weimaraner, Welsh Corgi-cardigan, Welsh Corgi-pembroke, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Welsh Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, West Siberian Laika, Westphalian Dachsbracke, Wetterhoun, Whippet, Whippet (long Haired), Wire Fox Terrier, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, Xoloitzcuintli,Miniature, Xoloitzcuintli,Standard, Xoloitzcuintli-toy (mex Hairless),  Yankee Bull Terrier, Yankee Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Yugoslavian Mountain Hound, Yugoslavian Tri-color Hound

Forcefree method with astounding results!
Toll free  800-516-0001
Chicago dog training, Puppy Training,
Dog behavior

Copyright 2005, Marc Goldberg, All Rights Reserved
 
We are Chicago dog trainers and offer Chicago dog training and dog training in Chicago with dog and puppy obedience classes, and dog housebreaking, puppy house training, puppy potty training, goldendoodle training, puggle training, we train labradoodles, cockapoo training, we train chicgao dogs throughout Chicagoland. We are the finest dog trainers in Illinois, with recommendations from vets, veterinarians, animal behaviorists, pediatricians, doctors and lawyers. If your dog growls, call us. We train happy, friendly dogs. We train aggressive dogs. We train fearful dogs. We are known as the finest dog trainers in Chicago. Our dog training methods work faster than clicker training. Our dog training lasts longer than food training. We train dogs for the following Chicago area locations:

Altamont , Alton , Aurora , Batavia , Belleville , Belvidere , Berwyn , Bloomington , Blue Island , Breese , Carbondale , Carlyle , Centralia , Champaign , Charleston , Chicago , Chicago Heights , Chillicothe , Collinsville , Crystal Lake , Danville , Darien , De Kalb , Decatur , Des Plaines , Dixon , East Moline , East Peoria , Edwardsville , Effingham , El Paso , Elgin , Elmhurst , Evanston , Freeport , Fulton , Galena , Galesburg , Geneva , Harvard , Highland Park , Joliet , Kankakee , Lake Forest , Litchfield , Lockport , Macomb , Marengo , Marion , Marshall , Mascoutah , Mendota , Moline , Monticello , Morrison , Mount Vernon , Murphysboro , Naperville , North Chicago , North Lake , O Fallon , Ottawa , Palos Heights , Paris , Park Ridge , Pekin , Peoria , Prospect Heights , Quincy , Rock Island , Rockford , Rolling Meadows , Salem , Sandwich , Spring Valley , Springfield , St Charles , Sterling , Troy , Urbana , Villa Grove , Warrenville , Waterloo , Watseka , Waukegan , West Chicago , Wheaton , Wood River , Woodstock , Zion

Bloomington City , Cuba , Dorr , Downers Grove , Dupage , Elgin , Elk Grove , Groveland , Maine , Mchenry , Milton , Naperville , New Lenox , New Trier , Northfield , Oak Park , Orland , Palatine , Rich , Rockford , Rutland , Schaumburg , St Charles , Vernon , Warren , Waukegan , Wheatland , Wheeling , Winfield , Worth , York , Oak Park , Orland , Palatine , Rich , Rockford , Rutland , Schaumburg , St Charles , Vernon , Warren , Waukegan , Wheatland , Wheeling , Winfield , Worth , York ,  

Addison , Algonquin , Antioch , Arlington Heights , Barrington , Barrington Hills , Bartlett , Beach Park , Bellwood , Bensenville , Berkeley , Bethalto , Bloomingdale , Bolingbrook , Bourbonnais , Brookfield , Buffalo Grove , Burr Ridge , Carol Stream , Carpentersville , Cary , Channahon , Cherry Valley , Clarendon Hills , Deerfield , Dolton , Downers Grove , East Dundee , Elburn , Elk Grove , Elmwood Park , Elsah , Evergreen Park , Forsyth , Fox Lake , Fox River Grove , Frankfort , Freeburg , Gilberts , Glen Carbon , Glen Ellyn , Glendale Heights , Glenview , Grayslake , Green Oaks , Gurnee , Hampshire , Hanover Park , Hartford , Harwood Heights , Hawthorne Woods , Hazel Crest , Hillside , Hinsdale , Hoffman Estates , Homer Glen , Homewood , Huntley , Island Lake , Itasca , Johnsburg , Justice , Kildeer , La Grange , La Grange Park , Lake Bluff , Lake in the Hills , Lake Villa ,  

Lake Zurich , Lemont , Libertyville , Lincolnshire , Lincolnwood , Lisle , Lombard , Machesney Park , Matteson , Maywood , Mokena , Montgomery , Morton Grove , Mount Prospect , Mount Zion , Mundelein , New Berlin , New Lenox , Niles , North Aurora , Northbrook , Oak Brook , Oak Lawn , Oak Park , Oblong , Orland Hills , Orland Park , Oswego , Palatine , Palos Park , Park Forest , Peotone , Plainfield , Princeville , Rantoul , River Forest , Riverside , Riverwoods , Rockdale , Romeoville , Roselle , Round Lake , Round Lake Beach , Savoy , Schaumburg , Schiller Park , Shiloh , Shorewood , Skokie , Sleepy Hollow , South Elgin , South Holland , Stickney , Streamwood , Sugar Grove , Swansea , Tinley Park , Tower Lakes , Vernon Hills , Villa Park , Wadsworth , Wauconda , West Dundee , Westmont , Wheeling , Wilmette , Winfield , Winnetka , Woodridge