How do I know who's the "alpha"?

[JoyBirdV]

Hi~! Still really new to the world of owning a dog, but (outside of pulling my shoulder off on the leash) I think we have the best one

Question:
How do you know who's the Alpha? And does it matter?

Our lovely Fergie seems to get different needs met by my hubby and I. I am the only one who's ever walked her or taken her anywhere, am the one that feeds and grooms her. He is the one that roughhouses and plays with her.
She seems to listen to both of us, albeit in different ways (she seems more submissive to him, but listens to me amazingly)

Is this ok? Is it ok to maybe have 2 Alphas?
Does it matter?

PS will be posting AGAIN about pulling on the leash later

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by JoyBirdV

Does it matter?

Nope. As long as she minds and doesn't have any particular behavior issues, it's really not important.

[PaddyD]

Originally Posted by Cassidy's Mom

Nope. As long as she minds and doesn't have any particular behavior issues, it's really not important.

What SHE ^^^ said. That's the bottom-line goal.
If you are both happy with her and she is with you then you are all good.
Dogs adapt, they aren't robots, you don't ALL have to behave the same.

[doggiedad]

alpha and dominance are so overrated.

[MaggieRoseLee]

I agree with everyone else, I want to be a leader but not so much the GRAND ALPHA QUEEN OF THE WORLD! Kind of want more of a partnership with me tipping the leadership role....

[Emoore]

Well, the two of you need to fight it out. Whoever wins the fight is the true alpha.

Just kidding. In fact, wild wolf packs are led by an "alpha" mated pair.

[JoyBirdV]

Thank you!

[JulieBays]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

I agree with everyone else, I want to be a leader but not so much the GRAND ALPHA QUEEN OF THE WORLD! Kind of want more of a partnership with me tipping the leadership role....

Really? I want to be GRAND ALPHA QUEEN OF THE WORLD of people. For my pup Sasha, well she's my partner in crime.

[Ava]

Sounds like Fergie knows where she stands. If YOU really want to know who is alpha - your going to have to wrestle your husband and see who submits first.

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally Posted by JoyBirdV

Hi~! Still really new to the world of owning a dog, but (outside of pulling my shoulder off on the leash) I think we have the best one

Question:
How do you know who's the Alpha? And does it matter?

Our lovely Fergie seems to get different needs met by my hubby and I. I am the only one who's ever walked her or taken her anywhere, am the one that feeds and grooms her. He is the one that roughhouses and plays with her.
She seems to listen to both of us, albeit in different ways (she seems more submissive to him, but listens to me amazingly)

Is this ok? Is it ok to maybe have 2 Alphas?
Does it matter?

PS will be posting AGAIN about pulling on the leash later

No expert here and first GSD for me but in our house, it hasn't seemed to matter. Dallas still tries to yank my arm off my body if he's on a leash but is very obedient for me (usually; currently having 'issues'). He doesn't try to yank my husband, however, but isn't as obedient in commands or general behavior for him. I've always thought it's because I'm always here with him, whereas my husband works a lot. Dallas seems more attached to/obedient for me just because we're almost always together. He's not all that obedient for my two sons but knows his place (that was one thing I was very adamant about since they're both young).

Long story short, we have absolutely no idea who the alpha is but it hasn't made a difference so far. The dog knows his place. Well, besides chasing the cats but looks like he'll need to learn that lesson the hard way (OUCH!)