Alpha Dog Leader
Undomesticated dogs live together in dog packs. These dog packs have one dog that is the leader. Your dog sees your family as his pack. The natural instinct for your dog is to be the leader of the pack. Your dog will attempt to take on the position as the pack leader, or alpha dog, if you have not assumed that role with your dog.
The alpha dog, within the pack, makes all the major decisions. The attention of the dogs in the pack is entirely on the alpha dog. The alpha dog is very protective of his role as the leader of the dog pack. Usually the alpha leader will never give up his position voluntarily.
Is there a definite understanding of who the alpha dog is in your household? If it is not you, your dog will take the position on himself. An alpha dog can be either male or female, gender does not matter.. Since females tend to be smaller in size male dogs are more often the alpha leader. A female dog will take on the role of alpha dog if you do not assume the leadership role. A dog that has taken on the role of the alpha dog leader can make living within the bounds of a human family intolerable.
For information on how to train your dog, and establish yourself as the alpah leader take a look at: Dog Obedience Guide
When your dog feels that he is the alpha dog within your family he will exhibit bad or destructive behavior. You will have difficulty controlling your dog and he will be aggressive towards other dogs if he feels that he is the alpha dog leader within his sphere of influence.
Confusion as to who the alpha dog is, in your family, leads your dog to think of himself as your equal. It is very important that you display the qualities of an alpha dog leader all the time. It is through your confidence, body language and tone of voice that you demonstrate your abilities as an alpha dog leader. You must be comfortable as the alpha dog leader if your dog is to accept you in that role.
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The alpha dog maintains his dominance through small deliberate acts. An example of this is that the alpha leader is always the first one in the pack to eat. This could mean that there is little left to eat when it is the pack’s turn to eat. Also, the alpha dog will nudge its way through a crowd of dogs instead of going around. Those things within the pack’s area of influence are controlled by the alpha dog.
Why is it important to understand what the alpha dog does in a dog pack? This is your family, why should you be concerned with the dog hierarchy and its functioning? The answer to that question is obvious. Force or abuse, either physical or verbal, should never be used with your dog. You become the alpha dog leader in the eyes of your dog by imitating the practices of an alpha dog.
The best time to establish yourself as the alpha dog is with a puppy. This is especially true if that adult dog has been its own alpha dog leader. Although it is easy to establish alpha leadership with a puppy that does not mean alpha dog leadership will always be your position. You must guard your role as alpha dog 24 hours a day.
I hope you have enjoyed this article. I also have a review of another great guide you might want to consider here: How Your Family will Benefit from Clicker Training
