Some Ideas On How To Live With The Alpha Dog
Do you have a new dog? Are you not sure why your dog will not listen or why he tries to push you around? This can happen when your dog has a dominant character, also known as an alpha dog. It is important to learn how to manage the alpha dog if you want turn him into a loving family pet.
What is an alpha dog? In any dog or wolf pack, the leaders are known as alphas. There are two alphas, an alpha male and an alpha female. They tend to be the most aggressive and dominant and the other dogs follow their lead. All animals within that pack know their position relative to the other dogs.
Many people are surprised by how much the position in a pack can influence behavior. The pack position will tell them whether they eat at the beginning of the meal or must wait until the end. Less dominant dogs are used to being pushed around and bullied by other dogs, especially if they are at the end of the pecking order. An alpha female is the only one allowed to bear puppies and then relies on the other females to look after the puppies.
Because a dog sees its family as its new pack, he will try to carry over his position to the family setting. This does not mean that an alpha dog cannot be a good pet. It just means that it will need a bit more obedience training to get it to accept a non-leadership role. Learning a few key tricks will help you establish your role as the pack leader and your dog will be more obedient as time goes on.
There are ways that you can use natural dog behavior in order to manage an alpha dog. You need to start early, when he’s still a puppy, because this is the best moment to mold certain behaviors in the animal. Keep in mind that some dogs are more dominant than others and it might take some time for your dog to accept your leadership.
Feed your dog last since lowest pack members eat last. Feeding the dog teaches it that it must please you in order to earn its meals. Lastly, petting it on top of the head shows that you are in charge because that is what a dominant dog does to other dogs lower in the hierarchy of the pack. You can also teach your dog to shake a paw. Submissive dogs will raise their paws and stroke the air to show they understand they are less important. And last but not least, teach your dog to roll onto its back so that it is forced to show its throat and belly to you. That is the most submissive gesture a canine can make.
By combining these tricks, you may find that your dog relaxes and accepts that you are in charge of the pack. Hopefully this starts a new era with your companion, now he listens and obeys you.
Daniel Varena publishes regularly on topics related to dogs, dog behavior and dog training. He also offers dog food online like alimento para perros and pienso para perros.
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