Dog How-to Quiz: How to Know Whether You or Your Dog is in Control

Is there a way to tell if all your effort at dog training has actually worked? Do you sometimes feel as if the dog is more intelligent than you ... or at least more sly and adaptive? Was dog training even needed, or is it just a bunch of hooey perpetrated by dog obedience instructors?

It's important to understand that canines don't think the same way as humans. How often have you seen someone giving his dog a command and the dog totally ignores it? Is it because the animal is stupid? Or because he wants to annoy his owner to the point where he ends up a homeless pooch at the animal shelter? No, it's because dogs not only communicate differently than humans, but they also have a pack order that defines who garners the most attention and respect.

When you talk, play, or even nap with your dog, your actions send signals that state who's in charge. If your dog understands that you're in charge, then he tends to be less hyper, more obedient, and better socially adapted. In short, it almost makes him a perfect pal instead of a marauding monster.

So ... how do you know if you truly are the top dog or if you just think you are? The quiz below will help identify whether you or your dog, Bingo, (or Bowser, Foo-Foo, or Whatcha-ma-call-it ) runs the pack.

Will he move out of the way so you can pass? (Yes = +2, No = -2)
If Bingo moves out of the way, he's learned well during his dog training and he's acknowledging your leadership. In the pack hierarchy, subordinate animals typically move out of the pack leader's way. To do any less would be a challenge to the top dog's authority and would be followed by a reprimand. If Bingo learned what he should have during dog training, he'll let you pass.

When shooed off your favorite chair, does he go without grumbling? (Yes = +3, No = -3)
Often times even owners who know better, and who've done extensive dog training with their pet, will overlook it when their favorite furry fella grumbles about being moved off the chair. That grumble might seem cute, but really, it isn't. It's a dog's way of stating he owns the chair ... and the chair's owner. Time to go back to step one of dog training so that Bingo, Bowser, and Foo-Foo know who runs the pack.

When you reach for his food, does he give it up willingly? (Yes = +5, No = -5)
A dog that growls over food may eventually follow that up with snarls and then a bite. If your pooch learned his dog training lessons well and respects your leadership, he won't growl over food. He knows by instinct that the top dog eats first. Often, owners give in on this because they wouldn't want someone reaching for their food ... but to humans, food doesn't indicate leadership. If it did, the waiters from the Olive Garden would be running the country.

When a command is given, does he follow it promptly? (Yes = +5, No = -5)
Assuming that the dog understands the command and knows what's expected from it, if he has learned through dog training that you're in charge he will follow your command. Repeating a command continuously to get Bingo to respond indicates he thinks everything going on around him is much more important than you.

If stared at, does he look away? (Yes = +5, No = -5)
One of the easiest ways to determine if your favorite pooch acknowledges your status as top dog is to stare at him. A canine whose dog training has reinforced that you're the leader will look away. If your four-legged companion stares back at you, it indicates he feels he's at least on an equal plane, if not higher.

SCORING
Total all points, subtracting and adding as indicated above.

15-20: You're king of the pack! Congratulations on good leadership skills and well-practiced dog training.
10-14: Some days you reign and on the other days Bingo, Bowser, or even little Foo-Foo is in charge.
0-9: Uh-oh, if you don't watch it Bingo's going to have you sleeping in the doghouse. It's back to obedience school for a lesson in pack leadership for both of you!

Sources:
Embedded links as listed above.
Tortora, Daniel F., The right dog for you: choosing a breed that matches your personality, family, and life-style. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1980.
Personal experience.