Quote:
Originally Posted by Britster  This way of thinking is so funny to me. If you really believe that eating before a dog does makes them think you're 'dominant'... I think you should remember they are DOGS. Their brains don't work that way and that's not a diss on dogs. They're simple minded creatures. They don't see you eating dinner, and think in their head, "Oh, they're eating first, so I guess I better listen to that person" or while they're eating their dinner, their mind is not thinking about the fact that you ate first. Honestly their mind is probably working more along the lines of "Food. There's food. I love food". 
Not to mention, comparing anything that WE do with our dogs to how dogs react to other dogs is like comparing apples and oranges. We are humans. Dogs know this. We as humans can act like we're dogs, but we're not. We don't fool them. And just as humans are not dogs, dogs are NOT wolves. Dogs are highly domesticated, very intelligent, and purposely bred to work side-by-side with humans.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying there should be no boundaries or training. Not at all. Quite the contrary. But it's not at all necessary to implement these silly little games to prove 'dominance'.
The actual pack leader/dominance theory phenomenon was disproved by the VERY people who created it. They now deeply regret their 'research'.
I suggest these reads: De-Bunking the "Alpha Dog" Theory - Whole Dog Journal Article http://avsabonline.org/uploads/posit..._statement.pdf The AVSAB statement. TIME Magazine article on debunking Dominance/Alpha myth | Ruff Customers Dog Training & Behavior Consulting | Ruff Customers Dog Training & Behavior Consulting |
My dogs eat first (they have dinner at 4 pm) and when it is time for me to eat, they go to their beds under the table.
I have been naughty and started giving them a little safe stuff off of my plate. Still, they know it is my food. They beg by performing sits, but when I say "that's all", they go back to their beds.
I have found positive reinforcement training so much more successful. I do use corrections (not angry), and the "ignore and leave the room" on occasion. Still, the positive stuff has so much more impact. I even use silly corrections that involve teasing or the side eye.