Obedience Training and Your Min Pin

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It’s also been said that Min Pins don’t do well at obedience training. I’ve found that not to be true. It’s just that owners of Min Pins have to realize that they’re dealing with a breed that is quick, intelligent and manipulative. They know what they want (and when they want it - which is right now) and they know how to get it.

Can they be brats? No doubt about it. But they can also be the sweetest, most loving, most cuddly companion you’ll every have. You just have to know how to make your Min Pin understand that you’re the boss. (No, really!)

Most breeders of Min Pins recommend that you enroll your darling in obedience training, almost from the moment you bring them home - and I generally agree with that assessment. Any dog can benefit from obedience training - and Min Pins more than most. This breed is fearless and smart, and will soon be ruling the roost if you’re not careful. But what most people don’t realize is that obedience training isn’t just about teaching your dog to “sit” and “stay” - even more importantly it’s about teaching your dog who’s “Leader of the Pack” - so to speak. Let me explain.

In the wild, dogs are “pack” animals - they run in groups, or packs - for protection, for companionship - just to hang out together and keep warm on cold nights. There is a stringent “pecking” order to these packs - there is always a Top Dog, a Big Enchilada, One Who’s In Charge, call it whatever you want to - this is the “Leader of the Pack” - the toughest, baddest dog of them all who gets to make all the decisions and boss everyone else in the pack around. Then the pecking order continues - there is a dog that is just below the Big Dog in stature, then a third dog down, and so on. Each dog knows their place in the order, and knows who the Big Dog is.

The Big Dog enjoys all the perks of leadership - he eats first and most, he gets to sleep where he wants, the other dogs walk carefully around him - but he also has the responsibility of making all the decisions for the pack - where to look for food, where to find water, whether or not to attack that giant Grizzly bear walking down the path, etc. The other dogs, let’s call them “follower” dogs, are happy to let the Big Dog lead - they certainly don’t want to have to make a decision about that giant Grizzly bear! And as long as the Big Dog displays the behavior of a leader, he’ll remain the Leader of the Pack.

What does that have to do with you? And your Min Pin?

Well, those pack dog behaviors are engrained by nature in all dogs - even domesticated ones like your Min Pin. Even if your dog has never even seen a pack of dogs, the instincts are still there - and your dog is hard-wired to look for a Leader of his or her Pack. That’s where you come in.

You’re supposed to be the Leader of Your Pack. You’re the Big Dog, the Head Cheese, the Big Kahuna - all rolled into one. The problem is - people aren’t raised with the idea that they’re supposed to be the Leader of the Pack. I mean, I went to school for years, and I don’t remember any courses that taught me anything like that! Especially in relation to dog ownership.

So now you buy, or adopt, or are gifted with, or somehow acquire this adorable, sweet, loving Min Pin - and all of a sudden you’re supposed to know how to act, think and react like a pack dog. Hmmm. How hard can it be?

Pretty hard, if the people who show up for obedience training are any indication. What happens is that people (and I’m just as guilty as you are here!) have a tough time separating “pack animal behavior” from the endearing way your darling jumps up on your bed and snuggles down under the covers with you at night. (Two weeks later you’re fighting to be allowed to remain in the bed, while your Min Pin lounges across the entire mattress and growls at you when you try to move him or her.) Or how your sweet, loving baby aggressively jumps up on you as you’re trying to eat your dinner in an attempt to steal bites right out of your hand. (Oh, that’s so cute!) Or slips out the front door as you’re signing for a package and takes off down the street, despite your desperate calls to come back.

Are you beginning to see a pattern here? You’ve allowed your darling to assume the position as the Top Dog, the Big Enchilada, etc. etc. etc. Now, he or she is sure they can do whatever they please, because they’re the Leader of the Pack - not you. And it’s your fault, because they’re so darned cute, you just couldn’t bear to make them behave when you needed to.

Now, don’t you feel guilty? Ok, that wasn’t really my intent - I just wanted to point out that your little brat didn’t get that way in a vacuum - he or she had plenty of help - from you. But it’s never too late to re-assume your rightful place as Leader of Your Pack. Start today, and before you know it, you’ll erase some of those bad behaviors that are driving you crazy.

The first thing you need to understand is that being the Leader of Your Pack DOES NOT mean you become abusive to your dog, or simply start yelling and screaming to get your way. Min Pins in particular don’t respond well to yelling and screaming - they’ll only become either more aggressive or start withdrawing - neither of which will solve the problem. And you should NEVER hit or otherwise abuse any animal - to resort to violence simply means you’ve lost control of the situation, and the dog is likely smarter than you are.

Absolute consistency is the key to training your Min Pin - the same reaction to the same situation or behavior each time - will soon get through to these intelligent creatures what behavior you’re trying to correct. For example - a simple task like going for a walk. You used to let your Min Pin bounce around your feet like a tennis ball, while you attempted to clip the leash to him or her on one of the rebounds, didn’t you? Instead, go to the front door, leash in hand, and make your dog sit - I mean really sit - until you can get the leash fastened. If he or she moves, or dances, or bounces, stop what you’re doing and don’t resume until they sit still. Tell them “No! Sit!” calmly and quietly until they do so. In other words, you’re not going anywhere until your Min Pin sits quietly while you’re putting the leash on. Do this every time you get ready to go for a walk, and pretty soon, your smart little Min Pin will understand that you’re not going out the door until he or she sits.

There are also a few ways you can help re-establish your position as Leader of the Pack, all without raising your voice or your blood pressure. (Some of them might sound silly to you, but I assure you - your dog will understand and respond to them.)

You eat first. And don’t share while you’re at the table. (That’s a tough one at my house!) In a dog pack, the Big Dog eats first - and most. Only when the Big Dog is done can the other dogs begin to dine. When you eat first, and don’t share, you’re telling your dog that you’re the most important member of the family - not them.

You are first through the door. This one sounds goofy, but if you let your Min Pin charge through the front door ahead of you - he or she can interpret that as they’re more dominant than you are. Your dog should be on a leash, and you should be the first one in or out through the door - you’re the Leader - so lead.

Don’t step over your dog, or walk around him or her. Does your dog lie in the hallway and make you walk around him or her? In the wild, the Big Dog lies wherever he wants, and all the lesser dogs walk around. If your dog is blocking a walkway, gently nudge them with your foot and make them move so you can proceed.

Does your dog demand attention from you? Jump up on you while you’re watching TV or talking on the phone? Bark to get your attention while company is visiting? Dogs that demand attention are asserting dominance - if you respond - if you give them the attention they desire - they’ve won. When your Min Pin gets pushy and demanding, ignore him or her - put them outside or in another room. When you’re ready to give them attention - call them over and make them sit - then pet or play with them - on your schedule.

This last one is almost impossible for Min Pin owners - myself included! Try not to let your Min Pin share your bed. I know, I know - that’s a tough one, but dog behaviorists tell us that when we let our dog share our bed, at the very least we’re making them our equal. And before we know it - we’ll be sleeping on the dog pad and our Min Pin will be looking over the edge of the bed and laughing at us in the middle of the night! Well, maybe we can let them slide on just this one little thing!