I've been thinking about the difference between being a pack leader and positioning myself as dominant in relation to my dogs.

I know a man who was a dominant father, but he was not a good leader for the family. In fact, many of his actions put members of the family in harms way, or harmed them directly. And he used dominance to maintain compliance from family members.

When I am being a good pack leader, I am giving direction to my pack for the good of all concerned. That means taking into account what my dogs need, and making sure those needs are met. A young puppy needs to bite things. A good leader provides that puppy with appropriate objects to bite, and teaches the puppy what it is allowed to bite, and later, what it is not allowed to bite.

Jethro needs to guard things. It is up to me to provide him with guarding opportunities that satisfy that need, but do not put him, or anyone else, in jeopardy. I provide good leadership when I give Jethro guidance on using his growl, his bark, or his lunge and teeth in appropriate ways. He can growl and bark at someone trying to get into our yard in the middle of the night. He can lunge at the stick I am holding up for him and take it in his mouth to chew. He can grab the tug toy and use his teeth to hang onto it and/or run with it in his mouth.

I have been so confused about this! And in my confusion, I have had bad timing, and worse decision-making, right when Jethro needs it most.

I can't believe how much calmer he is already, and how much more language is coming into his barks - for alert (letting something, someone know he is watching), for come and check this out (I'm not sure if this a threat or not and I'm not going to take my chances), for come and get me (there is a dog out there and I absolutely cannot handle seeing it or being anywhere near it)!

Recently he has started barking at something and as I come to check it out, he is on his way to find me.

Ahh!

Isn't it great when your dog starts showing some discernment! I've been blessed with a dog who has always shown a lot of this. But it's great that Jethro is starting to 'understand' and 'think' - "What does Jen want me to do with this?"

Super proud of Jethro today. A cat had gotten into the house and Jethro cornered it in a storeroom. He kept his distance, barking like a maniac, and then, when I called, he pulled back and came to me, following me out to the front porch. He was excited, but it was all done by voice and body. I didn't have to touch him to control him. Matt caught the cat and let it out the back door.

We fixed the old cat door that should have been latched in the first place.

Two aspects of this incident make me proud. First, Jethro did not attempt to bite or kill the cat. He was holding it in place. Two, he called of his position without a problem, no repeats or corrections needed.

I have been following this thread Jenny, but because I am not remotely qualified to even think about giving you advice, have said nothing to that end, but I am really impressed with how tenaciously you are dealing with this; dogs like Jethro are not so much a challenge, rather they are a lifestyle, and you have stepped right up to the plate and are dealing with this head on, well bloody good on you, you are an inspiration and are proof that anything is surmountable - fantastic job, well done.

Ditto from me Jenny!

Ditto from me too, Jenny!

Quote;
"Two aspects of this incident make me proud. First, Jethro did not attempt to bite or kill the cat. He was holding it in place. Two, he called of his position without a problem, no repeats or corrections needed."


Don't underestimate your dog with a cat. MOST dogs will chase a running cat. MOST will change their mind when the cat stops or is cornered and the average cat will make a fool out of the average dog.
Glad to hear you could call him off!


Note;
This is NOT an invitation to hear everyone's story about how their dog "handled" a cat.

 Quote: Bob Scott

Note;
This is NOT an invitation to hear everyone's story about how their dog "handled" a cat.

Awww, man...

I hope you can understand how gratifying it is to hear my dog fell within some range of what normal dogs do. At least, in this instance, he did not use his teeth, nor did he deliver a death strike. Maybe, under all the bluster and lather he is just a big wuss.

 Quote: Jenny Arntzen

I hope you can understand how gratifying it is to hear my dog fell within some range of what normal dogs do.

I do!