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We’re getting our first dog
- By Chris Thorn
- Published 06/24/2009
- Commentary
- Unrated
My wife and I are in the process of getting our first dog and it’s already a great experience doing the research and everything that goes along with it.
When I was younger I always wanted a dog but my family never had one that was actually “ours.” We had two dogs while I was growing up, both of which were given to us or looked after by us but never actually sought out by us.
Now, that’s all going to change and this time since we’re going to seek to adopt one I’ve been reading up on how to be a “pack leader” thanks to the awesome television show, “The Dog Whisperer.”
It may be cliché to be a Cesar Milan fan but I am and because of that I began reading up on all sorts of tips and tricks to hopefully be a good dog owner.
I didn’t realize how many different things are involved with being a “pack leader.” I haven’t read any books yet but I’ve read many articles online and the information about treating your dog like a dog and not as a person seems to be the most valuable piece of information I’ve read.
They say, “dogs are not people,” plain and simple.
According to what I’ve gathered so far a few things that seem to be key in being a dog owner include: not letting the dog sleep in your bedroom or on the bed, feeding them only after they obey a command like “sit” and to project yourself through your emotions as being a confident and consistent “pack leader.”
There are many other tips and tricks but those stuck out to me.
The first, sleeping in the bedroom, makes sense because that’s your space. The authors of the articles say that if your dog sleeps in your bedroom then they think they are a pack leader, or at least near the top of the chain.
So, our dog will sleep in the living room, future problems negated (hopefully).
As for feeding we’re going to walk the dog in the morning before we go to work and reward him or her with food after the walk and try to do the same thing in the evening. According to Cesar this lets the dog know he or she has to work for their food, which is a good thing.
The last part, being a confident and consistent “pack leader,” seems to be the hardest because you have maintain that role forever and get used to it so your dog feels safe and secure and doesn’t feel the need to fill that void him or herself.
In the coming weeks we’ll see how it all works out. Hopefully we won’t need to call Cesar.
When I was younger I always wanted a dog but my family never had one that was actually “ours.” We had two dogs while I was growing up, both of which were given to us or looked after by us but never actually sought out by us.
Now, that’s all going to change and this time since we’re going to seek to adopt one I’ve been reading up on how to be a “pack leader” thanks to the awesome television show, “The Dog Whisperer.”
It may be cliché to be a Cesar Milan fan but I am and because of that I began reading up on all sorts of tips and tricks to hopefully be a good dog owner.
I didn’t realize how many different things are involved with being a “pack leader.” I haven’t read any books yet but I’ve read many articles online and the information about treating your dog like a dog and not as a person seems to be the most valuable piece of information I’ve read.
They say, “dogs are not people,” plain and simple.
According to what I’ve gathered so far a few things that seem to be key in being a dog owner include: not letting the dog sleep in your bedroom or on the bed, feeding them only after they obey a command like “sit” and to project yourself through your emotions as being a confident and consistent “pack leader.”
There are many other tips and tricks but those stuck out to me.
The first, sleeping in the bedroom, makes sense because that’s your space. The authors of the articles say that if your dog sleeps in your bedroom then they think they are a pack leader, or at least near the top of the chain.
So, our dog will sleep in the living room, future problems negated (hopefully).
As for feeding we’re going to walk the dog in the morning before we go to work and reward him or her with food after the walk and try to do the same thing in the evening. According to Cesar this lets the dog know he or she has to work for their food, which is a good thing.
The last part, being a confident and consistent “pack leader,” seems to be the hardest because you have maintain that role forever and get used to it so your dog feels safe and secure and doesn’t feel the need to fill that void him or herself.
In the coming weeks we’ll see how it all works out. Hopefully we won’t need to call Cesar.