A good pack leader must know how to communicate with his pack and understand what his pack members are communicating to him. Dogs communicate with energy and behaviors. To be a good pack leader, you need to understand the meaning behind some of their most common behaviors.
1) jumping up- This is a sign of dominion over you. It may seem like an enthusiastic greeting or a playful gesture. Do not encourage jumping on you with love because you are only reinforcing this bad behavior. Don’t let your dog jump on other family members or people either.
two) Excavation- This is an instinctive activity that is ingrained in our dogs’ DNA. In wild dogs in packs they will dig to hide food or to discover food. They will also dig burrows in the ground to protect themselves from the heat. This behavior is very strong in terrier breeds.
3) Bark- In wild dogs they bark to sound the alarm or to announce that someone is coming. Barking is an important form of dog communication. However, not all barking is normal. If your dog barks excessively, it may be that he is saying that his needs are not being met, and barking is a way of expelling pent-up energy.
4) Panting- Most of your dog’s body heat is expelled through his mouth when he pans. She sweats through the pads of his feet. This panting is their primary means of regulating body temperature. If your dog is panting excessively, it means he may be too hot and you should slow down to cool down.
5) Separation anxiety – In Nature, dogs travel and live in packs. They rarely stray from the dynamic pack, so it’s natural for them to feel anxious when separated from their pack. One way to curb separation anxiety in your dog is to put him in a calm, restful state before leaving him home alone. Take her for a long walk before you leave and don’t give too much importance to the fact that you’re leaving, protect her confidence and calm. This will leave your dog happy and calm.
Understanding these behaviors will help you become a better pack leader and be better equipped to recognize the needs of your pack. When your dog’s needs are not met, unwanted behaviors arise. He always projects a calm and confident energy in everything you do with her, give her exercise, structure, discipline and then affection.