Clients will often hear me talk about the important role of leadership in my classes and seminars. There is another kind of role however that humans and dogs share that's much more equal. This is what I call a "Primal Partnership" and I learned this at a young age from my German Shepherds. In Germany, when you own a German Shepherd or other breed and live out in the country, as my cousins do, instead of playing golf you would compete with your dog in another sport known as Schutzhund training. In this sport, the training is extremely intense as you compete for points in three different phases: tracking, obedience and protection. Most Police Dogs you see will be trained to at minimum, Schutzhund 1 before they are altered to perform their street duties. Schutzhund levels go higher as you advance towards the top level of Schutzhund 3.
The reason why I mention this type of training is because you have a human/dog relationship working as a team. You cannot dominate your dog in this type of training as you risk loosing the dog's confidence. Let's go back thousands of years when wolves and humans first came together. Both species collaborated as they figured out they both needed something from one another. Wolves provided warmth in the wintertime from their fur coats and protection of territory. Humans may have given meager scraps of good and shelter but why like so many other creatures did we not kill them for their fur of food? Well, in some countries they do kill dogs for food but the primary reason I believe we stuck together is because we teamed up as hunters.
So what happens when you are told to be your dog's leader and they protect your property and family? This is like the pot calling the kettle black, but I will explain how I have helped many people live in harmony with one another problem-free. Leadership must come first, setting rules and guidelines are essential. Some of my rules in my house are the dog's sleep on the floor in their bed's and I sleep in mine (even the smaller dogs). Only humans are allowed on furniture, no jumping is allowed and when I say "Quiet!" they are all quiet. I must go through all doors that lead outside first, they must perform a command to eat, etc. the list goes on.
When my dog's jump into my car to travel to a session, the hunt is on. We are now a team. The air-conditioning is on; they're looking out the windows wondering who we're going to help next. When I arrive at a client's house, the dogs do their job and I do mine in peaceful harmony. You see, they are just as qualified dog trainers as I am and help relax, teach, overcome fears etc. other people's dogs. While I talk human, they are talking to the dog in their own language. Sometimes I'm just the interpreter. This teamwork is completely even between my ninety-pound beasts and myself. I always have control over the situation but our collaboration is equal. You will see this in other scenarios such as service dogs, dogs that help sniff out Cancer, protection dogs, agility competitors, etc. Dog and man come together in partnership, mutual understanding and respect.
So, yes always be a good leader with your dog but be a good partner too. Remember, at the end of the day, we're both animals helping each other just as our ancestors did. Respect dogs and they will respect you.