What Does It Mean to Be a Dog's Master?

Being the master of your dog essentially makes you the leader of the pack. Though you may consider your dog as your baby, treating it like a human can actually confuse the dog. How you treat and train the dog reinforces your position of authority, or lack thereof, within the home. By following this natural order, you maintain a harmonious household between humans and pets.

  1. Dog Psychology

    • The dog sees the world from a different point of view than its human. Because it is not a human, human emotions and thought processes do not apply. Instead it has a pack mentality that follows a certain rank and file. The alpha is the one who the rest of the pack follows, and trusts to look after their needs. Your dog generally wants you to establish yourself as the alpha, because this takes a lot of stress off of its shoulders to lead the pack.

    Top Dog

    • The way you establish your alpha position as the master is to let the dog know you are the "top dog." This starts with your communication. Speak with authority when you address your dog to earn its respect so it will follow your commands. The better trained your dog is, the more it will be sensitive to the nuances of the pitch of your voice. Use inflection to demonstrate the intensity of the command. Some owners even opt for distinctive noises that dogs recognize as certain commands.

    Small Dog Syndrome

    • Some owners with small dogs tend to treat their tiny pets as cute little babies that will never grow up. They let the dogs sleep on their beds, sit next to them or higher than them, on the furniture. This teaches the dog that it is on equal footing with its master, and does not encourage submission. Instead these owners treat all the natural dog behavior as cute rather than threatening, even if it is dangerous behavior like barking, biting or bearing teeth. This ultimately confuses the dog to think it is the alpha, and you need it to be your master.

    Consistency is Key

    • Because your position as master is positive to the overall emotional well-being of the dog, you must be diligent in your training. Be consistent with your commands and follow the natural order of pack behavior. Don't allow your dog to display dominant behavior such as jumping or barking, and make sure it earns its treats rather than being spoiled indiscriminately. Otherwise your dog may see you as a puppy it needs to care for and protect, and such behavior as aggressiveness or separation anxiety may follow.