How do you define "being alpha"....

[Catu]

I agree with the "overdo" thing too, but I also feel than in the name of being "politically correct" with dogs many people forget the value of one single well given correction. If the dog does something that he supposedly knows is wrong, get corrected, submits in the moment and 5 minutes later repeats the same action there is something WE are doing wrong. Most of times we think that the dog understand the correction, when he's only submitting to us without correlating it to the action. But many, many times the dog puts on the scale the good on the bad and decide to do bad because the benefits are bigger than the consequences. By example, Uzume, my roommate dog knows perfectly well not to eat the cat food, she knows she'll be punished, but to eat that yummy kibble is worth a "No" and to be sent to the room she sleeps in. Has been that way the last 7 years of her life.

Diabla never saw a cat until 15 months of age, beside the ones that entered in the yard of the house she lived and she was encouraged to chase away. In one week she learnt to respect the resident cat and her food. Yes, I do not hesitate to give a good scruff shake to an adolescent dog, she needed two of those and now she enjoys more freedom inside the house than what Uzume has never had.

[zyppi]

iMHO - one of the most overused misunderstood concepts out there.

I much prefer term leader - similar position as being a respected parent. A person the dog looks to for direction, safety and, yes, fun. The source of what is good in their lives. When you have that respect, you also have the right to discipline when needed.

[PipiK]

Originally Posted By: StarryNiteGreat topic and good reading! I also agree to not "overdo" it. With Lulu, we have this eye contact thing going. When I tell her "ah ah" or am trying to stress something to her I stare her right in the eye with a strong expression and she "gets it" right away. She knows the rules by now and she knows when she breaks them and gets in trouble which is when I get up and give her "the look" and re-inforce them. So far she is turning out to be a fantastic dog who respects the boundries I have placed and follows the "law". I have noticed lately all I have to do is give her "the look" and she stops whatever she was doing she knows is wrong

This is basically how we are with our little Beastie Girls. They get lots of love, but even though we've only had them three months, they know, from posture and facial expressions (plus a well timed "Uh, oh!"), that they've overstepped the doggy boundaries here.

To me, being "alpha" means being a benevolent leader. Not a buddy who lets them get away with murder, but not a dictator either.

[norske]

Great topic. Nothing has set back human/dog relationships more than "alpha" and "dominance" nonsense IMO.

[Effie325]

I've never paid attention to that alpha stuff much either. I am a strong, confident dog handler. I know dogs like I know the back of my hand, and handling a dog is as second nature to me as breathing. That confidence, IMO, is why dogs watch me, follow me, bond to me over other household members, and tend to listen to me. Knowing how to read a dog, and how to communicate with him, is more important to me by far than being some big tough bossy alpha!!! My dogs sleep in my bed, go on my furniture, walk through doors in front of me- unless I ask them not to of course- that stuff isn't what makes a strong leader. No dog I've ever had in my life would have growled at me if I asked him to get off of my bed. It's about trust, not dominance. JMO

[Ruthie]

Very interesting topic. I agree with most that the whole "alpha/dominance" thing annoying. However, living with a high energy strong willed dog is not a happy thing unless there is a clear understanding that the people are in charge. To me it doesn't matter if you call this "calm assertive", pack leader, or alpha. As long as your dog isn't pushing you around...

[Wolfheart]

I do use the term Alpha, but only because I have a strong spiritual connection to wolves and it's just something we use often in the wolf-discussion community. That being said, I do believe the word is misused by a lot of people. I have my own definition of the word.

To me, being an Alpha means more than just dominance. An Alpha not only provides leadership but also CARES for their pack and meets the needs of their packmates. A human Alpha should care for their dog on every level possible and meet their dogs needs to the fullest. An ALPHA is a STABLE MINDED animal or person that is responsible for the well-being of their pack (whether one dog or more). Calm, assertive, honest and full of integrity. An Alpha is fair, calm, balanced and firm. An Alpha isn't a tyrant, and is often selfless in their care for their pack. An Alpha will put the needs of their pack before their own, and be the source of stability. Alpha's make the rules and enforce them. All members of a pack are HAPPY to submit to and serve their Alpha.

In conclusion, An Alpha is a calm, stable-minded leader who does more than enforce the rules. An Alpha will lead and nurture their pack and make sure each pack member's needs are met fully.

That was just my definition... Hehe.

[GunnersMom]

Great thread. I've really enjoyed reading through these posts.

I cringe anymore when I hear or see someone using the term "alpha" because it seems that most who DO use the term mean to convey that they bully their dog. I can't stand that.

I see absolutely nothing wrong with being a calm, confident leader. I think every dog in the world will benefit from having one of those. But the idea that you have to dominate your dog at every turn, or act like a bully, is so wrongheaded, in my opinion. And I'd go as far as to say it's counterproductive.
In my opinion, a dog's obedience is going to hold up better when put to the test if the dog is listening to you because he WANTS to - not because he's afraid of the consequences if he doesn't.

I consider my dogs to be my partners. I do try to be a leader in the sense that my boys will always know what I expect from them and will always know that things are going to be done my way (~cough~ well... usually.) But even that's more for my dogs' sense of security and well-being than my convenience, or my need to be 'top dog.'

When they're listening to me and behaving well because they want to, I know that we're on the same page and our relationship is just fine.

*Disclaimer - and anyone who's read my posts here knows that I know very little about training and obedience, so my opinion probably isn't worth a whole lot! lol.

[BuoyantDog]

I am reading a wonderful book called, Never Cry Wolf, by Canadian naturalist Farley Mowat, who spent a summer working for the Canadian government in order to research the supposed extinction threat to caribou induced by wolves. He spent a summer living metres from a real, wild wolf pack.

My favorite passage from the books describes the alpha male of the wolf (George) pack he studied...

Quote: George was a massive and eminently regal beast whose coat was silver-white. He was about a third larger than his mate, but he hardly needed this extra bulk to emphasize his air of masterful certainty. George had presence. His dignity was unassailable, yet he was by no means aloof. Conscientious to a fault, thoughtful of others, and affectionate within reasonable bounds, he was the kind of father whose idealized image appears in many wistful books of human family reminiscenses, but whose real prototype has seldom paced the earth upon two legs. Georg was, in brief, the kind of father every son longs to acknowledge as his own.

[doggiedad]

i've never worried about being Alpha or
worked at establishing an Alpha position.
i step over my dog, my dog eats before me most of the time.
i treat my dog for no reason. i've never practiced NILIF. i fine
through training and feeding you become the Alpha without
having to exert yourself. i think a lot of the Alpha stuff
has to do with people thinking they have to show dominance
over a dog. Alpha makes people feel powerfull over something
that takes no power or a strong hand to be in charge. i also
see some connection between the Prong and E-Collar when it
comes to being Alpha.

when it comes to corrections i find raising my voice normally
does it. my strong correction is raising my voice and holding
my dog by some neck fur and maybe point a finger at him.
my best guard when it comes to corrections is not
letting something happen that needs to be corrected.

with my dogs i never had to establish an Alpha
position. i co-exist with my dog/dogs. my dogs are always
well trained and highly socialized. my dog does what i ask
when i use a normal speaking voice. i've had several
people tell me "you speak to your dog like he's human".
well my dog behaves. he listens to me or my GF.

Alpha or co-existing with your dog. when your dog is well trained and highly socialized i don't think you have to worry
about an Alpha postion.

i've never be one to dominate a dog. i never felt like
i had to. you train and socialize when they're young.
i think that establishes your place in the pack.