For me, pack structure and a dog's dignity go beyond "fairness" to trust.

"Trust" that I will lead, enforce rules and boundaries and engage them with reward and play.

The how, what, and when affect the quality of the trust.

Katie

What great posts!

"Trust" -- a huge one.

' "Trust" that I will lead, enforce rules and boundaries and engage them with reward and play. '

And protect, too.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

And protect, too.

I meant that too, Connie! When I think of enforcing rules and boundaries -- it's not soley for my dog. I'd also apply it for anyone or other creature interacting with her.

Katie

 Quote: Katie O'Connor

... I meant that too ...

I knew you did!

Great posts! Unfair corrections...Pup will take one unfair correction (sometimes I am a stupid human) but he will definitely look at me and let me know...and woe to me if I do it again. He has taught me to make sure I only correct for a determined infraction, not a mistake---his or mine. (FYI--that lesson was learned a couple of years ago).

Lucy is responding now more quickly and consistently since I have begun enforcing rules that I expect the Pup (Hambone) to follow. Pup trusts me, Lucy sees this, Lucy responds.

 Quote: sheilabuckley

One other thing I would like to add is always testing the dog after you have made your point. Make the correction and move on do not force the dog to wallow in it.

For instance dog growls at you around his food. You make the correction; he complies but then you keep coming around his food testing to see if he will do it again etc.

Excellent example!

And, Dennis....who wouldn't want to hang around you? A man of few words, a dog with an attitude...sounds right to me!

 Quote: cindy

Rush is now over 2 years old and thinks he's "all that" lately. Because I've raised him with clear consistent leadership an attitude adjustment for him entails putting him back on a leash for free time in the house . No corrections needed, just putting the leash back on is a gentle reminder that I am STILL the boss of him.

A simple subtle 'correction' yet it works. No pain, no overt humiliation, just fairness. great!

I recently took in a dachshund (working dog pedigree so must have at least decent temperament to start with- can´t be all shy to hunt wild boar when you are about 4-5 kg) that had most likely been corrected harshly whole her life (she was 5) to the point where in every situation she felt uncomfortable or unsure of what to do, she would lock down, roll over and sometimes wet herself. Even though they assured she had no behavioral problems aside being unsocialized, this was probably the most difficult dog I have ever lived with. Aside her behavioral problems she was the dog that made me realize that dignity is a must for everybody, not just for humans. In 10 months eye contact and SIT was the only thing I was able to teach her. I used marker training and no corrections but seeing the treats meant that it is learning time and when she couldn´t get me to mark for eye contact, she locked down and rolled over and the SIT was series of lucky timings over 4 months so at one point I stopped trying to teach her new stuff (agility was her thing- she new how to fallow a hand with a treat :P ). She now lives in the countryside where she has very little pressure moments to what she responded in that way (like putting the leash on, going to the crate, going in the car and on and on...). But she taught me how important dignity is.