Long story short, Myla is getting out of control. I came home today to find my sweater, my favorite hat, my slippers, my favorite devotional book and my shams all eaten through… fluff from the pillows everywhere, torn fabric, ripped knitted wool, half wooden buttons, bindings and pages strewn about the whole house. That was just one day! The next day I came home to find the couch slip cover pulled off and stuffing from the actual couch strewn about. The day after that, I catch Myla chewing- and not just chewing, but trying to eat- the wall of the actual house. The wall! Of my rental house! A wall I do not own! A wall I pay dearly for every month! Being eaten!
What’s a dog mom to do? I mean really, I can take her on walks, give her chew toys and barricade her in a small room, but if she is eating through WALLS, I mean, seriously… In the words of Ron Burgandy, "heck, I’m not even mad, that’s amazing..."
So, after picking my brain about what to do, I google a few things and remember ol’ Caser Milan and his whispery tricks for problem dogs. I read a few pages here and there and discover the issue: the dog pack. Yes, I’ve heard this before, the idea that as a dog owner you must lead your ‘pack’ of dogs, and they must respect you as the pack leader. But I thought that mine already did- I mean, they know I feed them, I tell Myla what to do all the time, and even pet and love on them once in a while. But after reading Caser’s advice, I find out that I am no where near close to being a pack leader of my dogs.
The idea of a pack leader is interesting. The idea is really that dogs need to know who is in command- who to follow, what their job and role is in the pack, etc. Once they have that, then they behave better. This idea goes against my intuition, if I think about it: I mean, I thought if I told Myla what she was doing right and gave her affection at those times and yelled and startled her to make bad things she does uncomfortable, then she would stop. And, in my head, the logic tells me that I already have a four year old lab who is so well-behaved, I obviously know what I am doing. Right?
Turns out dogs aren’t the only ones that need pack leaders. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I need someone in command of my life- someone to tell me my job or purpose here, what my role is in this thing called life, what the point of it all is, really. When I think of it, I have the Ultimate Pack Leader. Pack leaders have certain qualities and do little things to make a big difference. Pack leaders use calm, commanding voices that are sure and confident. My Pack Leaders whispers strongly- at times in my ear, other times my heart. Either way, I can sense when my Pack Leader is telling me something.
Dogs in packs need jobs, or tasks- things to do. These tasks are usually dictated by the Pack Leader, and they give purpose to those that are following the Pack Leader. My Pack Leader also gives me a job and a purpose in this life- it’s to love him. Caser Milan says that dogs can give affection many ways- licking is obviously one of them- but that dogs can even use eye contact and regular looks to convey affection and meaning. My Pack Leader keeps His eyes on me and gives me looks of affection and love so often, I just have to make sure that I am looking and paying attention. It’s my job to love on Him, and when I follow that job and make loving Him my priority, things work out better and I behave well. When I sense my Pack Leader look at me with love, it makes me want to do things to please Him.
Pack Leaders also make sure that they go first- out the door first, in the door first, eat first, stop play time first, etc. My Pack Leader has done everything first for me. His word says that He has gone before me and knows. This means that my path is always paved and I am never alone. Knowing that my Pack Leader has secured the way for me is just another thing that allows me to focus on Him rather than forging my own path and doing things alone.
Myla has only been in what I’m calling Pack Leader Boot Camp with me for two days, but already she is behaving so differently. Both yesterday and today, she was alone with Jola for hours at a time, with no chew toys, no bed, and a grumpy Jola. Both days I came home to find her excited to see me, and the house- walls and all- in tact and at peace. Even our walks are more calm… it’s the best feeling in the world to have an affectionate, well-behaved, wonderful and spirited furry friend that now does not make me crazy. I hope that my Pack Leader can say the same (sans fur) about me.
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