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7
pack structure
In a dog pack there are leaders and there are fol-
lowers. The leaders make sure the pack stays safe,
has enough to eat and has shelter. The leaders
must consistently provide all the packs needs or he
or she will be challenged for leadership. Survival is
the prime concern of the pack; if the leader isn't tak-
ing care of ALL the pack's needs there needs to be
a new leader.
In our homes there is also a pack. Fido doesn't
know he's a dog or that we're people. He knows
that together we make a pack. We are very good
at providing love, food, shelter and entertainment
(toys) but we sometimes don't understand safety,
from Fido's point of view.
What happens when Fido doesn't view us as canine
leaders? He challenges us. This challenge can be
in many forms. He may bark at everything, even us.
He might ignore us when we ask him to come or
sit or stay. He might become destructive or have
toileting "accidents". There are numerous ways he
may challenge us, but it is usually some form of
misbehavior.
When Fido is challenging us the pack is unbal-
anced. Fido doesn't have the ability to understand
our world so he makes mistakes. It's up to us to
understand his world. Once we do, we can usually
change Fido's behavior very quickly.
When the pack is in balance there is a more harmoni-
ous relationship and there is peace in the home. Isn't
that why you got Fido in the first place? Call us at
1-877-500 BARK (2275) if you want to know more.
Bark Busters, the world's largest, most trusted dog
training company is a global network of trained dog
behavioral therapists whose goal is to improve the
relationship between people and their companion
dogs using effective, humane, friendly methods that
appeal to canine psyche.
ANimAl behAVior