PACK LEADER

Cesar Millan, renowned “Dog Whisper,” has garnered his fame and fortune as a specialist in dog psychology. He makes a clear distinction between dog psychology and dog training. Cesar teaches dogs and owners by focusing on the fact that a dog is an animal first and foremost, not a human. He then centers on the tendencies of the species (dog) and then on the specific breed. Fundamental to his work with dogs is the walk on a leash. He gets the dog to understand that he is the pack leader; pack members naturally submit to or follow the pack leader. On the leash, Cesar walks the dog; the dog doesn’t walk him. Cesar says that without a pack leader the dog naturally asserts itself as pack leader. So, a major part of Cesar’s work is with the owner. He instructs them on how to be a pack leader. As in any pack, the leader sets the rules, boundaries, and limitations of the pack’s behavior. If there is a challenge to the pack leader, the pack member is quickly brought to submission… or there is a new pack leader. Cesar teaches that the human must always be the pack leader or there will be chaos. Dogs aren’t meant to lead humans. When there is a strong pack leader, there is happiness, order, and peace in the pack. Without a strong pack leader, there is fighting, sniping, challenges to the leadership, and chaos: disobedience.

Does this sound familiar to you? It’s not that much different from God’s natural order for people too. The parents are supposed to be the family leaders and kids are supposed to submit to the parents. Parents are supposed to be the family leader setting the rules, boundaries, and limitations. If there is weak parental leadership, there will be constant challenges to the leadership by the child. If there is a challenge, that child is to be brought into submission unto the parents…or the child will in effect be the new pack leader. Children aren’t meant to lead parents. When there is strong parental leadership, there will be happiness, order, and peace in the family. Without a strong family leader, there will be fighting, sniping, challenges to the leadership, and chaos: disobedience. Indeed, a lot of parents raise their kids the same way they “raise” their dogs and have similar issues.

Let’s takes it one step farther. This is not much different than God’s natural order He has for us with Him. God is the leader and we are supposed to submit to His rules, boundaries, and limitations. Humans aren’t meant to lead God. If we submit to God there will be happiness, order and peace in our lives. If we don’t, there will be fighting, sniping, challenges to His leadership, and chaos: sin and disobedience.

In all our various relationships, whether it is with an animal, boss, employee, child, or others, it is important that we identify the pack leader. If we are in the leadership role, then courageously lead. If we are in the pack role, then submit to the leader. Too many dog owners, parents, and authority figures act as pack members instead of pack leaders, while pack members act as the leaders. Then, with God, we act like a pack leader too. No wonder we get so messed up!!