Bringing up Puppy
Top-dogs and Under-dogs

Puppies learn dominance and submission at an early age

Dogs will naturally live in packs which is why they are so good at integrating into our packs or family groups.

All puppies need to learn their place in the hierarchy and that place should be at the bottom of the pack.

Dogs only occasionally scrap when they live in a pack with other dogs, generally they sort out their relative positions through play, posturing and privileges.

You will not teach a puppy that he is the least important member of the household by hitting him or pulling him around, all he will learn from that is that you are unpredictable and violent.

Your puppy will be quite happy to be an under-dog as long as he feels that the pack has a stable, fair, trustworthy and responsible leader. Dogs usually try to be top-dogs only if they live among weak, inconsistent or unreliable people, in such circumstances they may try to take charge because they perceive there is a power vacuum and a poorly lead pack would, in the wild, be at great risk.

Of course some dogs are more naturally dominant than others (just as with people) and the degree to which you need to reinforce your seniority will depend upon your puppy's personality as well as yours.

Ownership of Possessions

A bitch will not allow her pups to take things from her

Possession is one way that dogs learn their place, top-dogs own things, bottom dogs do not.

Make sure that your puppy knows that you own everything and he owns nothing - although you will allow him to play with your toys when you choose.

Your puppy will have toys which you have given him, periodically take them all away and put them out of his sight and reach. Let him see you doing this, perhaps when you have finished a game with him and it is time for his afternoon nap collect up all his toys and put them in a box high up, if he tries to challenge you simply give him a gentle shake by the scruff of the neck and take the toys away.

Privileged Positions

Top-dogs may take the highest or most privileged position to show their importance, this may be on a chair or up on the stairs or in a doorway where they can see everyone and people have to go around them to move from room to room.

Watch for your puppy trying to take these privileges and kindly but firmly intervene.

If he jumps on a chair tell him to get off or if he has not learned the command for "off" lift him down and do not allow him to jump back on again.

If he lies in the door way shut the door with him outside or put his lead on and make him lie beside you in the room, if you want to pass a dog lying in a doorway always make him move.

Power Games

Because dogs use play to learn their position in the pack you must use play to teach your puppy his position in the pack.

Whenever you play a game with your puppy make sure that you are the winner, this means that your games must be controlled - by you!

If you play tug'o'war with a tuggy toy or ragger teach the puppy to release his grip on command and always take possession of the toy at the end of the game.

Obviously you cannot take the toy if the puppy has run off down the garden with it and getting angry will only make a fool of you, so do not allow the situation to arise.

Until you have taught the dog to come back, only play indoors where the puppy cannot run away or outside with the puppy in a confined space or on a lead.

Integration into the family

It is vital that every member of the family is recognised by your puppy as the puppy's superior - even small children.

Every member of the family must be able to handle the puppy and teach the puppy, otherwise the puppy may grow up to respect the adults in the family but to dominate the children.

A bitch will discipline her puppies by snapping at their face, and a top-dog will discipline his subordinates in the same way. Many children are bitten by dogs because the dog has been encouraged (inadvertently) to regard the child as subordinate and tries to discipline the child when the child step out of line - often these dogs are not vicious but are merely trying to tell off the child as he would tell off another dog or puppy.

Human skin is far more fragile than canine skin and the resulting damage can be extensive, the dog is punished for doing something that its human family have allowed or even encouraged it to do, i.e. assume a dominant position over the children.

Sometimes members of the family may be away for some time due to their job or educational commitments, when they return home your dog may test the water to see if he is still lower in the pack and so it may be that you need to reinforce the top-dog - under-dog relationship for a few days until the dog is satisfied that his position has not changed.

Puppy Rolls

Most puppies are not dominant

Certain positions and postures are adopted by dogs to display their feelings.

A submissive dog will roll on its back displaying its most vulnerable aspect, this is not only a sign of submission but also of trust.

A kind but positive way to reinforce your puppy's role as under-dog is to regularly roll your puppy gently on his back and stroke his tummy whilst praising him quietly.

Some dogs and puppies will roll on their back as a sign that they want to play or will come and roll over because they want you to pet them - this is not the same thing as you putting your puppy on his back because you choose to do so.

Each day every member of the family should turn the puppy over gently and make sure that he lies still on his back without struggling for about a minute.

If the puppy struggles hold him firmly but gently down on his back until he lies still.

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Running Away	Play Biting