Page Last Updated : April 19th, 2009
A dog’s mother begins training puppies from birth. She makes them wait for food; she controls when
they play and how far they travel. Adult dogs need these same rules, boundaries, and limitations from
you, their pack leader.
A pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy, so neither should you. In the wild, the
pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to influence how the dog interacts with his surroundings.
She enforces these laws in a quiet way, as is the case when a mother picks up a puppy by the scruff
of the neck if he strays outside the den.
Ownership of territory is very important. Dogs in the wild claim space by first asserting themselves in
a calm and confident way, and then communicating this ownership through clear body language
signals and eye contact. A dog who understands that you, as the pack leader, own the space in which
he lives will respect your asserted authority.
Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position – puppies wait to eat, and adult dogs
wait until the pack leader wants them to travel. Waiting is a form of psychological work for the dog.
Domestication means dogs don’t need to hunt for food, but they can still work for it.
Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work. Take him on a walk before you feed
him. And just as you don’t give affection unless your dog is in a calm-submissive state, don’t give
food until your dog acts calm and submissive. Exercise will help the dog, especially a high-energy
one, to achieve this state.
they play and how far they travel. Adult dogs need these same rules, boundaries, and limitations from
you, their pack leader.
A pack leader doesn’t project emotional or nervous energy, so neither should you. In the wild, the
pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to influence how the dog interacts with his surroundings.
She enforces these laws in a quiet way, as is the case when a mother picks up a puppy by the scruff
of the neck if he strays outside the den.
Ownership of territory is very important. Dogs in the wild claim space by first asserting themselves in
a calm and confident way, and then communicating this ownership through clear body language
signals and eye contact. A dog who understands that you, as the pack leader, own the space in which
he lives will respect your asserted authority.
Waiting is another way that pack leaders assert their position – puppies wait to eat, and adult dogs
wait until the pack leader wants them to travel. Waiting is a form of psychological work for the dog.
Domestication means dogs don’t need to hunt for food, but they can still work for it.
Establish your position as pack leader by asking your dog to work. Take him on a walk before you feed
him. And just as you don’t give affection unless your dog is in a calm-submissive state, don’t give
food until your dog acts calm and submissive. Exercise will help the dog, especially a high-energy
one, to achieve this state.
Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations
by Cesar Millan
Love is one of the greatest gifts we can share with our dogs. Dogs are affectionate animals. Touch
means a lot to them, both in their natural world and when they live with us. However, affection that
hasn’t been earned and is shared at the wrong time can be detrimental to a dog. Here are a few of
Cesar's thoughts on sharing affection.
Give affection – but at the right time! Remember anytime you give affection, you reinforce the
behavior preceding it. Reward stability. Share your love when your dog is in a calm-submissive state.
Share affection after a dog has… exercised and eaten, changed an unwanted behavior into a behavior
you asked for, responded to a rule or command, or entered a calm-submissive state.
Don’t share affection when your dog is… fearful, anxious, possessive, dominant, aggressive, whining,
begging, barking, or breaking a household rule.
Don’t forget exercise and discipline. Prove your love by giving your dog what he or she needs: Long
walks; Rules, boundaries, and limitations.
Give your dogs as much love as you have! Give as much love as your heart can handle and then some!
But please give it at the right time.
means a lot to them, both in their natural world and when they live with us. However, affection that
hasn’t been earned and is shared at the wrong time can be detrimental to a dog. Here are a few of
Cesar's thoughts on sharing affection.
Give affection – but at the right time! Remember anytime you give affection, you reinforce the
behavior preceding it. Reward stability. Share your love when your dog is in a calm-submissive state.
Share affection after a dog has… exercised and eaten, changed an unwanted behavior into a behavior
you asked for, responded to a rule or command, or entered a calm-submissive state.
Don’t share affection when your dog is… fearful, anxious, possessive, dominant, aggressive, whining,
begging, barking, or breaking a household rule.
Don’t forget exercise and discipline. Prove your love by giving your dog what he or she needs: Long
walks; Rules, boundaries, and limitations.
Give your dogs as much love as you have! Give as much love as your heart can handle and then some!
But please give it at the right time.
The Importance of Affection
by Cesar Millan
The following information is supplied as a reference. For
more information, feel free to visit: www.cesarmillaninc.com
more information, feel free to visit: www.cesarmillaninc.com
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