The first step in training a well-rounded working dog is to establish yourself as the pack leader. The problem with this statement is it appears to require dominance through force and fear. That is absolutely wrong. Humans cannot expect an animal with limited intelligence and communication skills to understand our methods of communication. We must use our intelligence to learn, understand, and then employ the dog s communication methods to achieve our objectives.
Obedience is the cornerstone to all aspects of dog training.
If the foundation is not proper, the entire structure is weak and major repairs are constantly required. Where and how you lay that obedience cornerstone will directly effect your working relationship and ultimately the dog s ability to satisfactorily accomplish your goals. What you do in obedience training directly effects every other aspect of the dog s life. In order to understand the process of obedience training we must first understand our final goal. For the working dog it is a well-balanced animal that responds instantly to his handler s directions yet maintains a maximum individual intensity and focus on the task.