There Is ALWAYS an Alpha Dog

I’ve had dog owners complain to me about their dogs growling at them and even snapping at them when something isn’t going the dog’s way. It isn’t surprising. The dog has been led to believe that HE is the pack leader. He believes that he is the alpha dog because YOU aren’t the alpha dog, and somebody has to do the job.

Dogs are pack animals. In a pack, there is a definite “pecking” order, and there is ALWAYS an alpha dog. The alpha dog makes the decisions for the group. The alpha dog is the BOSS. When a dog is adopted into a human family, that human family becomes his pack. The puppy will just naturally assume that one of the members of this pack is already the alpha dog. Dogs believe in a social order, and as a newcomer, he is not prepared to rule; BUT if he discovers that there is no leader, then he WILL rule. He WILL become the alpha dog. He will keep the other members of his pack in line by snapping at them and growling at them anytime they have the nerve to try to take over his position and start making the decisions.

Now, you do not have to snap at your dog or growl at your dog, and you certainly do not have to HIT your dog in order to become the alpha dog in his eyes. Alpha is an attitude. It has nothing whatsoever to do with size or anything else. You must exude an air of confidence, dignity, and intelligence, and an air of authority if you want your dog to see you as the alpha dog. A firm “NO” is seen by the dog as a growl and an exercise of authority. “Please don’t do that” uttered in a sweet or pleasing voice means nothing to the dog. Every pack has an alpha and YOU must establish yourself as the alpha in the eyes of your dog.