ALPHA DOG

Dominance and alpha behavior are important concepts that every dog owner should comprehend.

LEADER OF THE PACK....EVERY PACK HAS A LEADER...ARE YOU THE LEADER

Believe it or not Dogs are animals, not human beings. They are pack animals by nature where everyone has a place.  It is your responsibility to establish yourself in the alpha position. If you fail to do this, your dog will do it as a natural behavior.  In the wolf pack, the alpha male rules the roost with a glance, a stiffening of the body, or, if necessary with juvenile males, a raised lip or a scruff shake. This is dominance.

If his humans don't provide that leadership, the dog will take over the role himself. Instead of taking orders from their people, these dogs are giving orders!  Your family is your dog's "pack".  They tend to be natural leaders and the social climbers and can become problems to an unsuspecting family that's not aware of the dog's natural pack instincts.

Dogs need and want leaders

"Alpha" is an "Attitude"

How Do You Become "Alpha"?

Your dog watches you constantly and reads your body language.  He knows if you are confident or insecure.  You must exhibit quiet confidence, dignity, intelligence, an air of authority. A dog can sense this attitude almost immediately - it's how his mother acted towards him as a puppy.

You must be gentle but firm, loving but tough, all at the same time. Most dogs are immediately submissive towards this type of personality because they recognize and respect alpha when they see it.

To be the alpha dog you must: Stand up straight with your shoulders back. Walk tall. Practice using a new tone of voice, one that's deep and firm. Don't ask your dog to do something - tell him. There's a difference. He knows the difference, too! Remember that, as alpha, you're entitled to make the rules and give the orders. Your dog understands that instinctively.

  Attention

Dogs love it!  They are motivated by it.  They don't care if it is negative or positive.  If it gets a reaction, they will repeat it.  Pay attention only to the behavior you want to encourage.

  Eye Contact

Eye contact is also one of the ways order is kept in a wolf pack. Only an alpha animal may use the stare to remind everyone who is in charge. When you initiate eye contact, you express your alpha position.  Can your dog get you to look at him on que?  With a bark, a paw scratch, whine or a stare?  If so, you are being trained by your dog.

  Tone

Tone is 75% of Dog Training.  The lower you make your voice, the more respect you'll get.

There are four different tones:  Happy, Corrective, Directional, and High-Pitched.

Use Happy tones to praise good behavior.

Directional tones is your commanding voice.  No questions, Only commands.

Corrective tones to communicate disapproval.  No Yelling!  Stand tall, like a peacock.  Act indignant.  Next act ashamed.   "Shame on You!"  If you catch your dog doing something negative.  Stomp your foot and say "No".

High Pitched Squeal communicates fear, confusion and submission.  Do you really want to use this?

Dogs don’t misbehave out of spite or other human motivations.  They want to please their leaders, but sometimes their leaders don’t lead;  sometimes leaders confuse them with inconsistency in their commands and body language. 

How To Teach You Dog To Sit

With your dog in a standing position, hold a small piece of
food in front of her nose. In a steady, slow motion, move the food
over her head. Your dog’s nose will point up and the rear end
will ease down to the floor, taking her into the sit position. Say ‘sit’
as her rear touches the floor and give her the food. If she tries to
jump instead of sit then try holding the food somewhat closer to her
nose. Eventually, you will notice that your hand movement without
food will be enough to get her to sit