For years I’ve had yappy, aggressive little dogs and attributed it like most people to “that’s how the breed is”. Chihuahuas don’t have the best reputations. However I’ve recently learned that this has nothing to do with the breed. Long story short, it seems like 95% of dog problems are because the owner is not being a proper pack leader.

As I watch multiple volumes of Dog Whisperer episodes and learn how Cesar Millan works his alpha dog magic, it occurred to me that a lot of the principles being taught can be applied to improving your own life, not just your dog’s.

1. Above all else, be calm and assertive.
In every case, the single most important thing that is preached over and over again is to be both calm and assertive. This is when dogs listen and follow you. The same can be said for people. If you are calm and submissive, people tend not to listen. When you are excited/agitated and assertive, you will put people off. Maintaining calm assertiveness is what makes you seem credible, capable, and trustworthy.

2. Project confidence.
In order to tell a dog that you are the dominant one, you have to give off a particular presence. Stand tall. Head high. Shoulders square. Smiling puts him at ease, so a stern face is not needed. You want to assert yourself, not be a bully. Making yourself assume an alpha dog stance has a psychological effect on you as well as other people. If you’re meek by nature, projecting confidence may not feel natural to you. But if you practice enough, you just might find that people will respond with respect.

3. Mistakes are for learning.
One of the more profound lessons I learned during my “pack leader training” was that taking challenges provides opportunities to correct mistakes and move forward. Dogs live in the here and now. You can’t teach them to not bark at other dogs unless you catch them at it. So you march right up to the next dog you see and put your dog into a position to either succeed or be corrected so that he can succeed next time. Without mistakes we can’t better ourselves. Take the challenge. Don’t be afraid of mistakes. We can only improve.