My goal for my dog is to go beyond basic obedience and hopefully if things turn out well take him into personal protection training because he definitely has the drives for it.
Hi Ali! It's nice to see you around again
Judging from your pup's pictures (the ones you posted a while back), I assume that he's an American show line shepherd?
If so, the odds of him having the proper drives and nerves for protection training are pretty much non existent.
If he has good prey drive, you could probably turn him into a successful obedience or agility competition dog, with the right training. Protection is not something that you can do with a showline dog, unfortunately. They just lack the genetics for it.
Be careful if you ever come across trainers who are willing to take you and your dog on for such training without a good temperament evaluation. Chances are, they're completely ignorant and/or crooks.
If you really have your heart set on protection training, you need to find a good dog from European
working bloodlines and a competent trainer/helper to work with you.
One of my first questions is, are there any other ways to set myself as pack leader than what I've just listed? Also, what other things can I do with him to prepare him for protection training?
Being respected by your dog as a pack leader comes from your overall attitude and the way you live with the dog. You should always be in control of the dog (no letting him run free off leash until you have 100% obedience under distractions... this doesn't happen with a puppy).
Get a long line (the 20ft Leerburg cotton lines are excellent) and let him drag that when you want to give him more freedom to run.
That way when you call him to you and he refuses to come, you can pick up the lead and enforce your command.
No unfair corrections and no losing your temper. Ever. No matter what he does.
A pack leader should give off an air of superiority and aloofness. When he gives a correction for inappropriate behaviour, he does so swiftly, but without losing his cool.
You can provide plenty of affection and play of course, but this should always be on your terms. Don't let the dog shove you when he wants petting or let him initiate games. He plays when you decide it's time to play, not any sooner
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When the game is over, it's over and you take all your toys back.
The more you avoid letting other dogs and people play with your pup, the more he'll look to YOU for affection, play and leadership.
It's also important that you protect him from other dogs, regardless of whether or not you're worried about offending people. Who cares if you offend someone?
You don't even have to talk to them, just say NO to loose dogs that come near your pup, chase them off if you have to and walk on. If the owner complains, just tell them that your pup was scared and that you were protecting him.
If you're the type of person who's too shy to stand up for yourself and for your dog, then your pup will certainly be able to tell this.
Dogs (all dogs) instinctively sense a strong and confident leader.
Making the dog wait for meals, sit at the door, move out of your way etc. etc. is all useful of course, but if you act unsure when your pup is threatened and you stand there without doing anything, you've lost something in his eyes... It's just not leader behaviour.
Read Ed Frawley's ground work article on the Leerburg website for everything you need to know.
If your pup has good prey drive, you can get the "First Steps of Bite Training" DVD and teach him the work in prey.
Any dog with prey drive can do this, it's all a game and there's no stress involved in the work. You can start this right now if you want.
You'll most likely never be able to take this dog beyond prey work though. You can read Ed's articles on the different drives and the difference between working in prey and working in defense (or in fight drive). This will show you why your dog can't do advanced defensive work without the genetics for it.
Good luck