Who's The Leader Of The Pack?You Or Your Dog?
Fairlady|September 2017

Got a dog you can’t control? It’s likely your problem is that you don’t understand its true nature. We asked animal behaviour consultant John Faul to throw us a few bones on how to be the leader your dog deserves.

Who's The Leader Of The Pack?You Or Your Dog?

If an animal walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, you’re not likely to treat it as a budgie, right? That’s my rule of thumb,’ says John. ‘We’ve got a wolf in dog’s clothing in our living room. If you give him a chance to express that “wolfdom”, he will. You might say, ‘But I can take a bone from my dog and he won’t do a thing.’ Of course you can, because he’s well fed. Keep the dog hungry for a day or two, then try to take his food. He’ll stand rigid, telling you, ‘Come any closer to this food and I’ll fight you to the death. I need it to survive.’

The point is this: if you’re going to live with an animal, you need to understand it. We’re dealing with the wolf, a pack animal, one that knows what privilege, right of access and control he (and you) exercises within the group. Most of the problems of interspecies dominance in our homes arise because we apply human traits of democracy, fair play and equality. They’ve got nothing to do with animal traits, and we’re not even sure they work for us. So here’s how to lead your pack.

The four-second rule

If I asked you if you’d like some mustardflavoured ice cream, you don’t have to taste it to know that you wouldn’t like it. In humans, the prefrontal cortex enables us to make projections like this. Animals don’t have that. If you want to change the behaviour of an animal, you have to do it within four seconds of the act for it to understand that its action brought about the reaction it did. You have to engage its sense of self-preservation within that short time frame for it to realise that it’s not a good idea to do that again. Or if you want the dog to repeat a positive behaviour, the reward must come immediately.

Order, order

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 2017 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FAIRLADYView All
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Fairlady

'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'

Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Fairlady

'We have to tell HARD STORIES'

Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.

time-read
6 mins  |
July/August 2024
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
Fairlady

THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe

We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July/August 2024
LIFT your GAME
Fairlady

LIFT your GAME

Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Fairlady

TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS

Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Fairlady

PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT

Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2024
BIG SKY Country
Fairlady

BIG SKY Country

Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Fairlady

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?

Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
Fairlady

HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE

The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
How to write a memoir
Fairlady

How to write a memoir

Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024