Training Tuesday: Discipline, Your Dog, and Your Role as Leader

The word "discipline" has gotten a bad rep in recent years, conjuring images of militant nuns or angry drill sergeants. However, discipline is also defined as an "activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill," and "to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control." When I talk about discipline, I'm talking not about punishment, but about creating order in your life through the consistent application of a particular method or practice. If you don't want your dog on the couch today, your dog shouldn't ever be on the couch. If you don't want your dog to beg for table scraps, then you should never be giving your pooch food while you are sitting at the table. Being a dog owner naturally requires a certain level of responsibility, but being a GOOD dog owner requires a willingness to assume the leadership role with confidence, clarity, and compassion. An over-emphasis on control with your dog can lead to behavioral problems, health issues, or may just plain milk the fun out of your relationship... But, a healthy attitude toward training and discipline often means the difference between a good dog and a great one.

So, how do you get started in this exciting new role as leader? In the coming weeks, I'll devote each Tuesday to a different topic related to discipline and your dog, including different aspects of obedience training, behavior modification, the fallacies of dominance theory, and whether or not you actually can teach an old dog new tricks (you can!). For now, though, do a quick analysis of a few aspects of your life with your pup. How often do you take her for a walk? Are you the one in control of the leash, or is she? Your job in the coming week is to determine the areas in which your dog (and you) need work. How well does she come when you call? Have you mastered the basics, like "sit" and "lie down"? Does all your training go out the window as soon as there's a distraction - a dog next door or a cat in the next county... Make an honest effort to evaluate just how much control you have in your relationship, and stay tuned for answers to how best to address any issues you may have. Thanks for reading, and be sure to drop me a line with any questions, at thedog_ma@yahoo.com.