You see someone walking their dog, and the dog is happily sniffing around ahead of its owner. Then, someone tells you, “Hey, your dog should walk behind or beside you, otherwise he’s being dominant.” And you start struggling to prevent this from happening… but is it true?
Forget the Dominance Myths in Dogs
For many years, the concept of dominance in dogs has been widely misunderstood, leading to the idea that you must dominate your dog and show them who’s boss by force. One popular myth is that if your dog walks ahead of you, they are being dominant. The issue of dominance is much too complex to be simplified in this way.
Forget those myths about dominance. Focus more on giving your dog love and discipline, and learn how to establish a healthy and balanced relationship with them.
Enjoy the Walk
When you take your dog for a walk, they are exploring a world of sounds and smells that you can’t see. The last thing on their mind is being dominant. Let them enjoy the walk, and you should enjoy it too, whether they walk behind, beside, or ahead of you.
Remember that walks are essential for your dog. They help provide the necessary stimuli to reduce their stress levels.
But Don’t Let Them Pull You
Of course, even though your dog walking ahead of you doesn’t mean they are dominant, it doesn’t mean you should let them pull you at will. After all, the walk should be pleasant and calm for both of you. If your dog pulls, don’t dominate them by force. Walk more slowly so they see that there’s no progress when they pull, but there is progress when they walk calmly.
Sometimes, dogs get so used to pulling that it becomes a serious issue requiring professional advice and treatment to resolve. If this is your case, just contact us, and we’ll be happy to assist you.
In Conclusion
Your dog walking ahead of you doesn’t mean they are dominating you. Instead of worrying about that, enjoy the walk with your dog in a controlled and peaceful manner. If your dog pulls a lot or you have trouble walking them, it still doesn’t mean they are dominant, but it might be a good time to seek help from a professional dog trainer.
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