Dogs are our closest allies in the animal world, but never forget that even your goofy Pug, or affectionate Shih Tzu is just one evolutionary step removed from the wolf.

We may have domesticated the dog, but at heart he retains his animal instincts. It’s up to us to recognize this and modify our behavior, rather than expecting him to modify his.

A Dog’s View of the World

A dog’s thinking is based on drives and instincts. Their basic needs are food, a place to sleep, and a strong pack for protection. This means they need a strong leader - one they are prepared to follow without hesitation. This is the role you need to fill in your dog’s life.

The next thing you have to understand in order to comprehend dog behavior is that words are meaningless to a dog. Now, many people will argue this point. They’ll tell you that their dog understand everything they say. But what they’re referring is simply word association.

Dogs are incapable of understanding words, what they mainly understand is body language. They are attuned to associate action and reaction, so as your dog learns that certain actions bring reward he’ll be encouraged to repeat them.

As part of this chain of action and reaction, most dogs learn to react to single words, so he may for example learn to associate the word “walk” with going out, but most likely it is the “pre-walk rituals” - putting on his lead, for example - that he recognizes.

How to Think Like a Dog

The most important thing to remember is that dogs respond to body posture and tone of voice, rather than words. By understanding that your dog thinks in images and responds to actions, you will have a much greater influence over him.

Dogs are also sticklers for routine. If you arrive home at the same time every night your dog will know exactly when to expect you. Then, if you’re late for one or other reason, the dog will begin to become frantic.

This is because the dog forms expectations based on past actions, and learns to expect a particular outcome. If that outcome is not carried through it creates anxiety.

How to Be the Alpha Dog

Dogs have a limited set of needs, and in a wolf pack, the alpha controls these for the entire pack. He decides when they move, who is allowed to eat, and who gets affection - much the same things you control in your dog’s life. By making these decisions for your dog, you actually lessen his anxiety.

Now leadership is one thing, but what about showing affection to your dog? Good question. Giving affection makes you a strong leader if it is given in the right way and at the right time. Given any other way, it marks you out as a pushover. Your dog will sense that and exploit it.

Affection should be given as a reward for good behavior, so that it re-enforces the behaviors you want your dog to repeat.

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