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Who is the Head of your Household? [Print This Article]
Published in the April 2005 Colorado Greyhound Adoption Newsletter
No, I don’t mean “head of the household” according to the IRS, even though it is tax time! I mean, who calls the shots in your house? Is it you? Or could it possibly be your greyhound? Take this quick quiz by responding to each statement with: Always, Sometimes or Never.
- My dog receives free room and board at my house. She does not have to work for anything of value, except perhaps an occasional treat.
- I free feed my dog so she can eat her food whenever she wants.
- If I try to take away a bone or other item from my dog, she will not let me get close to her and might even growl at me.
- My dog only does what I ask if I have a treat in my hand.
- My dog jumps on me, my visitors and/or the people we meet.
- My dog pulls me down the sidewalk on our walks.
- My dog can be difficult to control and handle in public, such as when she sees a squirrel or another dog.
- .On our walks, my dog often determines the route.
- My dog darts or pushes past me to get through doorways.
- I have to walk to one side on the stairs in case my dog rushes past me.
- My dog does NOT come right away, if at all, when I call her.
- My dog does not know stay, or she will only stay if there are no distractions.
- When my dog takes something she should not have, I have trouble getting it back.
- My dog listens to one human member of the household but not the other(s).
- My dog demands petting, play, walks, food or other things from me by barking, pawing, nudging or whining.
If you responded Always or Sometimes to any of the statements above, your dog is in charge at least some of the time in your household! Some of these issues are more serious than others, but when you allow your greyhound to have her way and tell you what to do, you are putting her in charge. While some dogs will challenge your status as head of the household (or leader of the pack) most dogs really do not want that job. If they feel no one is taking charge when needed, dogs will often step up and do so. They know that someone needs to be in the lead position. This is a very stressful position for dogs.
Your dog will be much happier if she knows you are in charge and will take care of everything. This does not mean you should bully or physically “dominate” your dog. You can be a good provider if you set the household rules and stick to them. Dogs like consistency and routine. As the head of the household, you should control the resources, such as the food, treats, beds, toys, playtime, walks, and anything else that is valuable to your dog. Help your dog learn to be a polite member of the family and defer the decision-making regarding resources to you.
If you’re not sure how to take better control of your household, pick up a copy of Patricia McConnell’s Leader of the Pack. It costs a few dollars and is only 15 pages of reading.
If you are having issues that involve growling, snapping, biting or just want more help in establishing your role as head of the household, please find a qualified professional trainer or behavior consultant. Make sure you choose a person who uses methods you will be comfortable with and will help you to enhance the bond with your dog not destroy it.
You still will not be able to claim your greyhound as a dependent on your tax return, but you and your dog will both be much happier!
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