How do you be an alpha dog?

Answer 1

There are many ways for a dog to respect you. The best training methods are ones that focus on positive reinforcement to train dogs, a method that enhances your dogs' natural trust and willingness. The notions of being "alpha" and being "dominant" are outdated and now thought to be unnecessary and potentially dangerous. Dogs do not, as many believe, try to be the "pack leader". Dogs are descendants from wolves, neither constantly test for dominance. Wild wolf packs are families: A breeding pair of wolves and their offspring from previous years. There is minimal squabbling and conflict for rank in order for the pack to survive.

However, some breeds of dogs require experienced, consistent, and confident owners to train and socialize them. Both firm and consistent training WITH your dog, is all it takes. The little things do count. I will post a few ways to help.

(Some simple things that can make a huge difference):

1. Walk or exercise your dog. EXERCISE is a brilliant way to bond and spend time with your dog. Not only does it get them tired and calm, but if they learn to walk beside or behind you. Train it to heel when you are walking your dog; do not let them pull, but to walk beside you.

When you are walking your dog: You say "heel" or the command you are using while the dog is walking beside you, and if they don't slow down or pull, you stop. Walk again and every time the dog starts to pull, stop each time. Reward your dog when it walks beside you. This method is useful on an attentive/sensitive dog, but some dogs need a little more encouragement. For example, you can get a slip leash or something humane like that (not a choke collar!) and when they start to go in front of you, the loop will tighten a little. Say "No," then repeat the command. Never yank or pull the dog back, as this could hurt the dog.

2. Teach your dog basic commands such as "sit, stay, leave". This increases the amount of control you have, especially in potentionally dangerous situations such as the dog having something in its mouth. Knowing the "leave" or "swap" command also helps dogs that are possessive over some prized objects. The "leave" command also helps in play to stop the dog getting too worked up.

3. Don't let your dog be aggressive, or otherwise "control" you. Some dogs are stubborn and like to push boundaries, such as jumping on people or sitting on the owner. Such behaviour, while subtle, is usually the dog challenging the person, or saying "this person is mine". One reason for a dog being aggressive is usually due to fear, or not knowing where its place is in the family (often brought about by poor training). However, dogs can be aggressive for many reasons, but a dog being dominant over the owner is not that common compared to other reasons for aggression. If the dog does not seem stable, or "aggressive," he most likely doesn't seem to think he has someone above him, and not sure of his own social status. If you are the person the dog looks up to to lead him, this tendency will calm and he will feel safer, therefore less "aggressive."

You also need to remember to socialize! A lot! If it is really bad, consult a professional near you. It is very unwise to try and train a stubborn dog or correct an aggressive dog without a professional at hand.

NEVER use negative force on a dog, especially for training purposes. Some people still "Alpha Roll" their dogs, believing they need to show the dog who is "alpha" because wolves do it. This couldn't be further from the truth. This myth derives from a theory Rudolph Schenkel put forward in the 1940s about pack positions in wolves. However, this theory was severely flawed. The studies were of unrelated wolves who were forced to live unnaturally with each other in artificial, captive surroundings in a zoo for many years. Wolf packs in the wild are a family, thus do not need such strict hierarchy. A subordinate wolf will willingly roll over onto its back to show submission. The parent (often incorrectly called "alpha") will rarely use physical force to any member of the pack.

The only cases recorded where a wolf (or feral dog) rolls another over on its back forcefully was in order to kill it. What are these owners that use the Alpha Roll telling these dogs, without knowing it? At the very least, forcing a pin humiliates or terrifies the dog, and such a training method is usually far too slow to properly correct behaviour. A scared dog will eventually fight back, usually by biting. A dog that has learned such negative behaviour by its human owner will apply that to every human it meets - as it has been taught that this behaviour is "normal". A dog that thinks this way may use force to try to dominate other people such as elderly or young members of the family and such a dog could be a danger.

4. Control your emotions when appropriate. Dogs are very sensitive to their human's emotions and will often respond to them. This is especially important while training or in a new situation. It is very easy to get frustrated or scared at these points, but the dog will pick up your body language and will react. Staying calm keeps the dog calm. Similar goes for praising: When praising or training, positive "vibes" and body language will teach the dog that certain behaviours are very good things, and will often repeat said actions.

Remember, ways vary. There are many more methods to train a dog, but the best overall method is to be concise, patient and to praise the dog. Never punish a dog for being "bad". Just be patient!

Answer 2

The term "alpha" is now an outdated and redundant term. This term used to be used for the leaders of wild wolf packs, but most now term these as the "breeding pair". Somehow this term, along with others, found its way into describing dog behaviour.

There are many behaviours where a dog is (often wrongly) described as dominant or alpha, most of which are just very normal behaviour. Jumping, humping and nipping are, in most cases, results from a dog that is over-excited and has not been taught these behaviours are bad manners. These are not the dog trying to dominate the other dog or person.

Answer 3

It is a misconception that alpha dogs are always aggressive. You mainly need to follow the same training rules that you do with any dog. Make sure they know their place in the pack is not above you. One of the easiest ways to do this is to spend training time with them. This does not have to be anything overly fancy, but each day take them on walks, teach new commands or practice old ones. Don't let them do things like snatch their treats from you. They have to sit and take them nicely. They can't bully any other dogs that may be in "your pack." If your dog is having aggression, it may not have anything to do with being alpha. It is something that you will need to have assessed. Different causes need to be handled in different ways.