Your Dog Bossing You?
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Dog complaints reveal the real pack leaders
Does your dog run your house? Threaten others? Are you embarrassed by your dog’s behavior? Do you avoid trips, friends, or events because of your dog? You can overcome these conflicts with simple training and engagement with your pet.
The HOA Board often receives complaints about dogs. Some people tie their dogs up on the patio and leave them to bark and threaten, others just leave them untied and unsupervised and they attack or threaten to attack neighbors or other dogs as they walk by. These behaviors are unacceptable in community environments. Behaviors can change if the owner takes responsibility for the pet and the pet’s behavior.
Many people think they can train a dog, but if the dog is dragging you on the leash or ignores you and reacts to others, your dog isn’t trained. Famous dog whisperer Cesar Millan says dog owners should be the leader of the pack and establish rules and boundaries for dogs. He emphasizes the importance of exercise and physical activity to reduce dog (and owner) stress and anxiety, destructive behaviors, and to be an outlet for a dog’s natural energy and instincts.
He says dogs need clear boundaries and consistent rules—just like children—to create balanced and harmonious relationships, and they need affection and positive reinforcement through rewards, affection, praise, and treats for what he calls “calm, submissive behavior.”
Training dogs is more about training dog owners how to be pack leaders and to ensure their dogs understand where they fit in the pack and what’s expected of them. It’s also about taking care of them. Letting them defecate on your patio is not taking care of them and allowing that can result in a fine starting at $75.
Aggressive dogs who bite people or other dogs can be evicted, and owners can be fined for allowing such behaviors.
If you’re a dog lover, training your dog can be fun, especially with trainers who understand dogs and the dog-human relationship. Group training is affordable, but it also is more fun to see how other humans work with their dogs and how dogs respond to other dogs and environments.
PetSmart has multi-level dog training that’s helpful for puppies and grown dogs who exhibit negative behaviors. The basic three-level training starts with puppy school for socialization and basic disciplines, moves into intermediate training that helps address specific dog behaviors, and offers a third level that certifies dogs for specific activities and better insurance coverage.
The HOA asks that if you have a dog, make it an enjoyable member of the Los Lagos Vistas pack and not an annoyance or danger.
