Here is Leonberger, King Leo, making sure even larger Irish Wolfhound Pluto knows his place – beneath him!
Leo is another example of people who chose the bravest and pushiest puppy in the litter and then find him hard work.
At two years of age he has grown into his early promise – a very kingly dog, making use of all the doggy dominance tricks. As with a King, it’s unwise for someone to approach or touch him uninvited, particularly if they lean over him.
He has bitten non-family members a couple of times. Together with the much more docile Pluto, he is kept well out of the way when people come to their house. When in doubt, he is muzzled.
The family relaxed
First Pluto joined us and when he had calmed down, Leo was brought in on lead, muzzled just in case. I myself wasn’t worried as I knew with the signals I give out, not taking any notice of him and avoiding eye contact in particular, that he wouldn’t bite me. The muzzle helped the family not to be tense which is key.
The lady dropped the lead. Very soon both dogs were lying down and the family relaxed.
I am sure that Leo would make an excellent king of a pack of wild dogs, but in the human environment it is an impossible task for him. He simply cannot do the job. Just imagine yourself being employed to do life-or-death job where you had no freedom nor the required tools to fulfil the role.
Leo’s perceived role as king
The kingly role Leo has been born into, subsequently reinforced by humans, involves protecting his pack or group, being in charge of all resources including food, areas like doorways, people and Pluto, leading when out and decision-making.
Poor Leo is thwarted on all counts. Imagine his frustration. It is actually surprising his behaviour isn’t a lot worse.
They have tried choke chain and the ‘police dog training’ type of approach and it’s simply not worked. This is neither appropriate nor possible for a dog looked after mainly by a slightly built lady and her two teenage daughters. Having just the man of the family treating Leo in this fashion can make the dog respect the others even less.
This is going to be hard work. In essence, Leo has to be kindly and patiently deposed, his crown removed, so that over time he is relieved of the burden of responsibility. He will then become more tolerant of being touched, wanting less to do such things as kill passing cars and chase off joggers.
He will stop his pacing, cease his bouts of destruction, humping and weeing on poor Pluto and so on, and RELAX!
