Pack Mentality

Dogs do have a particular history that's tied with our own. Throughout the centuries, humans have been breeding dogs for specific purposes, such as becoming good companions for hunting trips. With a title like "man's best friend," the traditional view of the dog as a companion also bears itself out in reality. Dogs make very good companions, which is why they are such popular pets in the first place.

The "pack" mindset is good for humans as well as dogs. Pet owners sometimes allow behavior from their dog that they wouldn't allow from their own children, essentially letting the dog set its own boundaries and its own rules. A dog will try to assert any role you give it - if you're following the dog, the dog will try to adopt its own little "pack leader" role. If you act like the pack leader, the dog will understand that and accept a follower role.

Some have criticized this philosophy for placing too much emphasis on dominating dogs mentally, but in reality the "pack" mindset can be a very healthy way to interact with your dog. A solid, confident pack leader will both set boundaries for the dog while still allowing them freedom to exercise, roam, and express itself.

Viewing a human as part of a dog's training is a proactive approach that understands that a dog's behaviors aren't only affected by the dog, but by its environment. A bad owner can make for a poorly behaving dog, and a good owner can help steer a dog's behaviors in healthier directions. For many people who don't seem to understand how their dog behaves, this shift alone can help them understand where they have gone wrong in training their dog.

There is more to training dogs than simply understanding the "pack" structure, but this principle serves as a great blueprint for interacting with your dogs. Make yourself a priority and allow the dog to follow you - set boundaries for the dog and enforce them consistently. You'll find that viewing yourself as the pack leader will make you more assertive and effective when interacting with your dog.

Photo Credits: Elsie esq.

One of the most perplexing behaviors that new owners see in their dogs is the dog's unwillingness to eat the dog food in their bowl. While many people believe that this is simply because the dog is holding out for a better treat, like bacon, we have to remember that if the dog food appeared appetizing at all, the dog would gobble it right up. So why isn't your dog eating food that was designed for it? Let's take a further look into this question and see if we can find the root of the behavior.

First, it's no secret that dogs like meat. Whether you're feeding a dog poultry, beef, pork, or even rarer meats like bison or venison, a dog always seems to go crazy for a quick cut of meat. Their teeth are ideal for tearing apart meat and have been using them to tear up the flesh of small mammals like rabbits for centuries. For humans, who often enjoy meat as well as a variety of other foods, it may seem odd that dogs seem interested in little else than protein.

Much of the dog food designed for dogs is also designed to be as cheap to produce as possible - this might mean that normally nutritious food can be rendered less nutritious simply by the processing involved. It also means that some ingredients can be tossed into the mixed that aren't exactly the dogs' favorite items on the menu. We'd love to feed our dogs the most prime cuts of meat, but doing that isn't exactly cost-effective.

Another problem with dog food might be the incorporation of grains, which most dogs don't respond well to. If you're going to think about dog food, consider a staple diet of meat and vegetables to be more appropriate, not necessarily grains. While whole grains can be very healthy for humans, dogs do not respond as well.

Your dog might simply not eat the dog food you've poured because the food isn't very appealing. This effect is heightened if you've displayed a willingness to randomly feed your dog better pieces of food, like sliced turkey from the refrigerator. Your dog doesn't know how you intend on feeding it, and simply knows that you'll occasionally feed it something it likes. Remember that dogs will respond more strongly to your consistent behavior than to how you speak to it.

Most of all, try to incorporate real meats and vegetables in your dog's diet. Let your dog know that feeding time is a consistent thing - perhaps after a morning walk, for example - and make it enjoyable. The hungrier your dog is, the more erratic its behavior will be. Feed it well.

Photo Credits: playerx