Hi Has anybody read this book or know much about the author? https://thedogguardian.com/the-dog-guardian-book Some of what he says seems quite sensible but then there is the odd reference to wolves and being the leader and that always makes me a little wary! ;-)
I haven't read it and don't know him. I had a quick look and I'd say there is some mixed advice. I don't have a problem with "leadership" per se, as long as it's meaning what we mean by it (being a kind and benevolent, motivational leader who inspires the dog into behaviours we like) and not the "other" meaning (forcing the dog into behaviours we want because "we're the boss"). I didn't like the advice for barking at the door - the dog learning that the consequence of his barking is isolation is either using isolation as punishment - which is risky as we want a dog to feel confident being alone, not punished - or it could potentially be rewarding the dog's barking, if the dog learns that barking achieves him getting some space away from the scary thing. In either case, it's not addressing the emotional issue that causes the barking, whether that's excitement or fear. Giving the dog the space to be able to think and make good choices is great, but when people use the phrase "learning the consequence of his actions", it makes my hackles raise.
The phrase that stuck in my mind ages ago (I can't remember where I read it, it was before I found this forum) was: "Dogs know that successful packs do need to be led. But this does not mean that a dog wants to be the leader - it's a stressful job, who wants it? So if you behave like the sort of leader that deserves to be followed, your dog will be happiest. That means calm, confident, fair, kind, clear, consistent. Be the sort of person that your animals would vote for if they were asked to elect who should lead the pack." I always thought that was a rather good description. I can just seeing Pongo trotting down to the ballot box with his voting slip...
There is some good info in what he says together with some questionable. Most modern trainers don't like to use the term leadership because of the connotations that go along with it. I've searched and can't find anywhere any reference to his accreditations, courses attended, affiliations etc so I would steer well clear
