Why Your Dog’s Behavior Starts with You: The Role of Leadership in Dog Training
As professional dog trainers at Koru K9, we hear it all—dogs pulling on leash, displaying aggression, anxiety, reactivity, or fear-based behaviors. The first thing we ask during a discovery call is simple: “Tell us what’s going on.”
Most owners respond by explaining what their dog is doing wrong. And while it’s natural to focus on your dog’s behavior, we take a different approach. During our initial training evaluations, we’re just as interested in you—what you’re doing (or not doing) that may be contributing to those behaviors.
When Should You Start Training?
Life gets busy—between work, kids, and daily responsibilities, training often takes a back seat. Maybe you’ve noticed your dog starting to pull on walks or react to other dogs, but you tell yourself, “It’s just a phase,” or, “We’ll handle it after the holidays.”
Unfortunately, these issues rarely go away on their own. In fact, they usually escalate. Delaying training can allow unwanted behaviors to become habits—reinforced by unintentional rewards like affection or freedom—and that leads to bigger problems down the road.
Timing Is Everything in Dog Behavior
The moment your dog starts showing unwanted behavior, you’re being given an opportunity to teach and correct. If you ignore those moments or hope they’ll pass, you’re sending mixed messages and allowing confusion—and stress—to build in your relationship.
In more serious behavioral cases (like leash reactivity or dog aggression), failing to intervene promptly could pose a risk to other dogs and people.
Consistency, structure, and leadership are not just training philosophies—they are essential for your dog to feel safe, secure, and calm.
What We Look For in You as a Leader
When we meet new clients during our training consultations, we’re evaluating more than just your dog. We’re looking for leadership gaps that may be causing or contributing to the behavior. Some common red flags include:
Lack of structured loose leash walking
Giving unearned affection, treats, or food
No boundaries or household rules
Allowing your dog to run in/out of doors or crates
Free feeding rather than scheduled meals
Reinforcing pushy or demanding behaviors
Not managing the start/stop of play sessions
Allowing access to furniture without permission
Tolerating possessive or guarding behavior
Allowing fearful or anxious behavior to go unchecked
Poor timing or use of corrections
Are You Acting Like a Leader?
Think of leadership in your dog’s life the same way you would in a human relationship. Would you trust or follow someone who was inconsistent, unpredictable, or emotionally reactive? Of course not—and your dog feels the same way.
At Koru K9, our balanced dog training approach helps you build trust through calm, consistent, and clear communication. Leadership doesn’t mean being dominant—it means being a reliable guide who creates structure and clarity.
Get Help From the Pros
If your dog is showing behavior problems or you’re struggling to establish effective leadership, we’re here to help. Our customized Board and Train programs and private in-home training are designed to address the root cause of behavioral issues while empowering you as your dog’s leader.
Don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact us today to schedule your evaluation or book your discovery call to see how we can help transform your dog—and your life.
