As a dog owner, it can be a very confusing when you have a behavioural problem with your dog. Whether it be aggression or hyperactivity of some kind, you research online looking for the help and answers you require to solve these problems, only to be told that your dog is an equal family member and any behavioural
modification must only be addressed through positive techniques and to a degree, this is correct.
On a recent trip to Finland, I had the the wonderful opportunity to meet Matty and his pack of 75 Huskies, some of which pulled us on sleds across the frozen lakes on a 10 km “Husky Safari”. As you can imagine, I was very keen to chat to him afterwards and pick his brains on how he manages such a large pack. Surely there were days when tussles broke out between the pack members? Could they really all “roll along” all the time, every day?
So, of course my first question is going to be “who’s your top dog Matty”?
Unsurprisingly and without any hesitation, he responds with “me”. Matty’s theory being that he is the ‘top dog’ or pack leader. His dogs look to him for instruction and guidance. They know their place in the pack and because they understand their placement, tussles or adverse behaviour is seldom a problem.
Interesting to meet someone of the more ‘ Traditional Way’ of interacting with his dogs.