Training Tip #6: Alpha, Beta... Jack

In a wild dog pack, there is always a top dog, the #1 dog, the Alpha Dog. Then there's the #2 dog, the #3, and so on down the line. All the other members of the pack form a hierarchy of dominance and submission where everyone has a place. The alpha is the boss who makes decisions for the entire pack.

When a family decides to get a dog, that family become the dog's pack. Because of this, each member of that family needs to establish themselves in the alpha position. If you don't, your dog will do try to establish itself into that alpha position.

Anyone in the family can be the pack leader at any point in time. It's just a matter of gaining that authority over the dog.

Here are some great exercises that can be done to establish the alpha position over your dog. All of these exercises will show the dog that it is required to earn every single priveledge within your pack, and that Nothing In Life Is Free.

  • Don't allow the dog to sleep in your bed, at least not until your alpha position if firmly established. Instead, crate the dog at night.
  • When you do decide your alpha position is cemented, you can allow the dog in the bed, but by Invitation Only. Require the dog to "sit" and wait for permission to get on the bed. Once the dog sits, you can then say "ok", come on up.
  • When going out a door with the dog, the Alpha Human always goes out first. Tell the dog to "sit/stay" while you go thru the door, then tell the dog "ok", he/she can go now.
  • The Alpha Human says when it's play time.
  • After playing with toy or ball, the Alpha Human gets the toy/ball last and puts it away.
  • Have one special toy that the dog gets when inside it's crate.
  • When doing leash work, speed up the pace. This doesn't give the dog time to think, it requires the dog to pay complete attention to you and react quickly.
  • If discipline while in doors is a problem, try tethering the dog to you with a 6-10 foot light, cotton lead or clothes line. This way the dog is easily accessible to you if quick discipline is needed.
  • For discipline tips, see my post here.

Alpha exercises (from Dog Owners Guide)

These exercises will help establish leadership but should not be used with an older pup who has learned to use his teeth to get his way. Exercises one and two are recommended only for small puppies up to three months of age. Exercises three and four are suitable for pups up to six months of age as long as there's no problem with aggression. Be gentle but firm with all exercises, as you would with a baby human.

  • Sit on the floor, pick your pup up off the floor with both hands supporting him just behind his front legs, facing you. Hold him away from you at arms length. Look directly into his eyes. Growl at him if he struggles, using a low guttural sound. Hold him till he relaxes. Vary the time you hold him in this position from 15 to 45 seconds. Vary the location.
  • Sit on the floor and cradle your pup, placing one hand under his head and the other supporting his back so that he is upside down on his back, and up in the air. Hold a larger puppy across your lap. Hold the pup for 15 to 45 seconds, using the same growl as in exercise 1 if he struggles. Hold him until he relaxes.
  • If your puppy is large, substitute this exercise for the first two. Straddle your pup, with one of your legs on each side of him. You should be facing the same direction as your dog. Lock your fingers together under his chest, just behind the front legs. Lift his front legs off the ground for 15 to 45 seconds. If he struggles, growl at him till he is quiet.
  • Place your dog on the floor with all four legs pointing away from you. Hold him firmly by the neck with one hand, and press down on his midsection with the other hand. Talk to him softly after he is quiet. It might take two or three minutes to get him to relax. If he exposes his belly to be rubbed, you are on the right track.

With all these exercises:
  • Don't allow the dog to struggle, get up, or nip.
  • Always praise lavishly in a quiet tone when the dog relaxes.
  • Try to do these exercises four or five times a day at first. Taper off as the pup gets more used to you and accepts your leadership.
  • Everyone in the household should do these exercises.


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