Being the Alpha Dog of Your Pack

All dogs have evolved from ancestors living in a pack society, and as such have developed a system to determine a clear order of leadership within the pack. I am sure you are familiar with seeing dogs showing pack behavior on TV.The puppies learn their place in the pack and avoid causing problems that are disruptive to the pack.

In every pack there is an “alpha” dog, who is the pack’s leader. You and your family become your dog’s new pack, and your home their new den, when you adopt your new pet. It is your responsibility to become the alpha dog, and teach your new family member how he is expected to behave. You must also make sure your dog understands he is below the other family members in the family hierarchy, so that he learns never to be aggressive to you or your family.

Puppies are easier to teach to become submissive, but you certainly can teach your older dog that you are indeed the alpha dog, not him. Simply utilize the right training techniques on a regular and consistent basis and you will be able to earn his respect and gain his trust and confidence and become acknowledged as the Alpha dog.

Becoming the Alpha dog doesn’t mean you will need to act threateningly or intimidating to your dog. Being the alpha leader is more a matter of attitude and confidence that you show your dog. You can consistently show him that you are the one in charge without  the need for yelling or hitting. Those types of negative actions will confuse your dog and hurt your attempts to establish the trust and confidence you need to get your dog to listen to you. Stay positive, because once your dog views you as the alpha dog, it becomes his nature to want to please you.

The best way for you to become the Alpha dog is by concentrating on really doing a good job obedience training your dog. Just by practicing even the very basic steps regularly- exercises such as sit and stay- will serve to reinforce your alpha status. Due to your consistent and persistent training your dog will look to you for guidance and give you the deserved alpha status. Try these useful positive training techniques that help you become the alpha dog, without any need to ever act unfriendly towards your dog.

• Tell your dog to sit down and make him wait a little bit in that position, perhaps 30 seconds, before giving him his dinner bowl. Controlling his food is a pretty elemental way of demonstrating leadership. Only feed him after he has obeyed you and remained in position-no the food is a reward for good behavior. Remember to do this each time he is fed-this will consistently remind him of his place, and help him to develop good manners.
• Another technique is to make your dog sit and wait for you to invite him through a doorway before he can pass. By repeating the training exercises regularly your dog will soon learn to look for guidance from you for whatever activity you are doing together.
• You should also do this same exercise every time you take your dog for a walk and need to cross the street. Stop your dog from entering the street by making him sit and wait for your command. This trains your dog to be submissive and wait for you-which has the additional benefit of preventing potential problems that occur when a dog runs out into the street.

If you are staying consistent and fair with your training, using positive training techniques, it shouldn’t take too long to gain your dog’s respect confidence and trust and be seen as the pack leader-the alpha dog.

For more reading about becoming the Alpha dog and training your dog using positive training methods, please click here to visit http://www.BehaveDoggy.com.

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