Alpha???

[RoxyGirl]

Ive been reading alot of posts and alot of them seem to talk about Alpha and omega and stuff like that, but they never explain what it actually is, i dont know if i am right but i think that it is the position of "authority" sort of speak in the household. Am i right? What is an Alpha Roll? Thanx

[PatchO'Pits]

Ive been reading alot of posts and alot of them seem to talk about Alpha and omega and stuff like that, but they never explain what it actually is, i dont know if i am right but i think that it is the position of "authority" sort of speak in the household. Am i right? What is an Alpha Roll? Thanx

The Alpha of the pack is the boss so to speak. The alpha should be the owner.

The omega is actually the bottom dog in the pack and others fall in the middle, but have a pecking order as well.

The rest of the Pack structure really sets in more when you have more than 2. IMO 1 or 2 dogs is pretty easy after that I don't reccommend anyone get more unless they are experienced and have the time and energy for training. :)

[RoxyGirl]

The Alpha of the pack is the boss so to speak. The alpha should be the owner.



Ok So basically since i am the owner i should be alpha? How do i establish this? Do i need to establish this if i only have one dog? Thanx

[Codykins]

A dog is a good pet. A well-trained dog is a fantastic pet! One way to train your dog more easily is by becoming the alpha dog in your house. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and the leader of the pack is called the alpha dog. The alpha dog eats first and tells the pack where to go. Professional dog trainers know how to be like an alpha dog as they train their animals, and many trainers use body language because every dog understands it. Here are some guidelines from professionals to help you train your dog:

When he is good, praise your dog and handle him firmly. An alpha dog is decisive! Hug him a lot, so he knows you love him. When you pat him, pat him firmly enough so your hand feels warm from the contact. However, don't overdo it when your dog follows a simple command. One professional instructor explained, "If he sits nicely, don't fawn over him if he wasn't that good." In other words, your praise must suit your dog's actions.

When he is bad or disobedient, reprimand him firmly and quickly, but then forgive him. Do not hit your dog. Shake his collar, or pull his leash instead. Discipline him with the authority of the alpha dog. When the dog does what you want, praise him.

Dog obedience class is for dogs and people! I would highly recommend that you use a trainer or a trainer/behaviorlist if you already have an alpa dog. A good class can also help you learn the basics of how to housebreak your pet and teach him not to chew or bite. It can be a fun social time for both of you. Dogs are pack animals, and most dogs enjoy seeing other dogs. Remember, a well-trained dog is much more fun! Once you have trained your dog, be sure he knows that you are still the top dog.

Remind your dog that you are the boss by reviewing his lessons occasionally. If you have trained your dog to sit and stay, then you can do a short sit-stay exercise to reinforce that you are alpha. Use your voice to convey confidence. You don't have to bark, but your dog can sense your mood by your tone of voice. If you act confident when you give him commands, your dog will respect you. Your dignity and authority will help your dog act obedient and calm.

Another way to reinforce your authority is to give your dog permission to do the right things. Tell him "OK" when he is about to eat nicely from his bowl. Then he will know that nosing around in the fast food takeout bag for hamburgers is not OK! This is a subtle way of training your dog to look to you for permission to do things. It reinforces your authority with him. The alpha dog in a pack does the same thing.

There is plenty on the internet you can read up on to understand the concept more. Good luck!

[PatchO'Pits]

A dog is a good pet. A well-trained dog is a fantastic pet! One way to train your dog more easily is by becoming the alpha dog in your house. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and the leader of the pack is called the alpha dog. The alpha dog eats first and tells the pack where to go. Professional dog trainers know how to be like an alpha dog as they train their animals, and many trainers use body language because every dog understands it. Here are some guidelines from professionals to help you train your dog:

When he is good, praise your dog and handle him firmly. An alpha dog is decisive! Hug him a lot, so he knows you love him. When you pat him, pat him firmly enough so your hand feels warm from the contact. However, don't overdo it when your dog follows a simple command. One professional instructor explained, "If he sits nicely, don't fawn over him if he wasn't that good." In other words, your praise must suit your dog's actions.

When he is bad or disobedient, reprimand him firmly and quickly, but then forgive him. Do not hit your dog. Shake his collar, or pull his leash instead. Discipline him with the authority of the alpha dog. When the dog does what you want, praise him.

Dog obedience class is for dogs and people! I would highly recommend that you use a trainer or a trainer/behaviorlist if you already have an alpa dog. A good class can also help you learn the basics of how to housebreak your pet and teach him not to chew or bite. It can be a fun social time for both of you. Dogs are pack animals, and most dogs enjoy seeing other dogs. Remember, a well-trained dog is much more fun! Once you have trained your dog, be sure he knows that you are still the top dog.

Remind your dog that you are the boss by reviewing his lessons occasionally. If you have trained your dog to sit and stay, then you can do a short sit-stay exercise to reinforce that you are alpha. Use your voice to convey confidence. You don't have to bark, but your dog can sense your mood by your tone of voice. If you act confident when you give him commands, your dog will respect you. Your dignity and authority will help your dog act obedient and calm.

Another way to reinforce your authority is to give your dog permission to do the right things. Tell him "OK" when he is about to eat nicely from his bowl. Then he will know that nosing around in the fast food takeout bag for hamburgers is not OK! This is a subtle way of training your dog to look to you for permission to do things. It reinforces your authority with him. The alpha dog in a pack does the same thing.

There is plenty on the internet you can read up on to understand the concept more. Good luck!


Good posting!

[RoxyGirl]

Thanx alot for the advice and explanations, i understand it better now.

[stevends71]

The "Alpha dog" theory has been around for a long time, but is based on misleading studies of wolves. In the original study in the 40s, researchers put wolves from DIFFERENT PACKS together and watched their reactions. Well, they didn't grow up together, so it is natural for them to have to fight it out to see who is leader. However, now we know that wolves in the wild do not act the way witnessed in this study. A pack of wolves in the wild consist of a male adult wolf, a female adult wolf, and their offspring. The "Alpha" does not keep his position because he is the "big bad wolf", but because the offspring defer to him. The "alpha" is simply a benevolent leader, one who doesn't growl unless he has to, and a growl is usually all it takes. The idea of a man or woman attempting an "alpha rollover" is crazy. First, the "alpha dog" doesn't just roll a pup over on a whim, it is usually for something serious that the pup has done, and it is done more quickly than a human can even think of doing it. Performing the "alpha rollover" can cause unwanted results like fear biting, and if it doesn't it just makes your furry friend afraid of you. It is better for both the owner and dog to be a benevolent leader who is always calm and collected than to try and instill fear.

A good book that illustrates the way a relationship should be between owner and canine is The Other End of the Leash by Pat Miller.

[Codykins]

The truth is dogs aren't wolves. Honestly, when you take into account the number of generations past, saying "I want to learn how to interact with my dog so I'll learn from the wolves" makes about as much sense as saying, "I want to improve my parenting -- let's see how the chimps do it!"

The premise to the dog pack mentality is not domination like in a wolf pack but controlling a dog pack. The vast majority of alpha dogs rule benevolently. They are confident in their position. They do not stoop to squabbling to prove their point. Our job is to be a leader, not a boss, not a dictator. Leadership is a huge responsibility. Our job is to provide for all of your dog's needs... food, water, vet care, social needs, security, etc. If you fail to provide what your dog needs, your dog will try to satisfy those needs on his own.

Alpha" does not mean physically dominant. It means "in control of resources." Many, many alpha dogs are too small or too physically frail to physically dominate. But they have earned the right to control the valued resources. An individual dog determines which resources he considers important. Thus an alpha dog may give up a prime sleeping place because he simply couldn't care less.

So what does this mean for the dog-human relationship?

Using physical force of any kind reduces your "rank." Only middle-ranked animals insecure in their place squabble.
To be "alpha," control the resources. I don't mean hokey stuff like not allowing dogs on beds or preceding them through doorways. I mean making resources contingent on behavior. Does the dog want to be fed. Great -- ask him to sit first. Does the dog want to go outside? Sit first. Dog want to greet people? Sit first. Want to play a game? Sit first. Or whatever. If you are proactive enough to control the things your dogs want, *you* are alpha by definition.
Train your dog. This is the dog-human equivalent of the "revoking of puppy license" phase in dog development. Children, women, elderly people, handicapped people -- all are capable of training a dog. Very few people are capable of physical domination.
Reward deferential behavior, rather than pushy behavior. I have two dogs. If one pushes in front of the other, the other gets the attention, the food, whatever the first dog wanted. The first dog to sit gets treated. Pulling on lead goes nowhere. Doors don't open until dogs are seated and I say they may go out. Reward pushy, and you get pushy.

In regards to the dominance model (and alpha rolling)...

I cannot think of many learning situations where I want my learning dogs responding with fear and lack of motion. I never want my animals to be thinking social hierarchy. Once they do, they will be spending their time trying to figure out how to move up in the hierarchy.

[dogs7]

Ive been reading alot of posts and alot of them seem to talk about Alpha and omega and stuff like that, but they never explain what it actually is, i dont know if i am right but i think that it is the position of "authority" sort of speak in the household. Am i right? What is an Alpha Roll? Thanx


Yes you are right and if you have any questions about dogs you can post a thread to me DOGS7 and I will reply as soon as possible.
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