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. No doubt you have often seen dogs or wolves on a nature show, displaying pack behavior.The pack’s have ways of teaching the new members just where they belong in the order, and this keeps things on an even keel, and reduces problems among the pack members.
In every pack there is an “alpha” dog, who is the pack’s leader. After your puppy or dog moves in with you, your home is now their “den” and your family is now their new “pack”. It is your responsibility to become the alpha dog, and teach your new family member how he is expected to behave. Your pet needs to know that he is below your family in the pecking order, to avoid any confusion that could lead to displays of aggression.
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. You can establish your alpha dog status through some basic obedience training steps.
It isn’t necessary to be aggressive to become the alpha dog. You just need to have the right confident attitude that shows your dog you are in control. You can take charge and be the alpha dog without resorting to any negative yelling and hitting. Negative training ends up hurting your relationship with your dog, and creates confusion. Be consistent with your training, staying positive, and earn his respect and trust-this will make you the alpha dog much better than any negative actions will.
Obedience training your dog on a regular basis is the way to get started becoming the alpha dog. Every time you interact with your dog you can give him a few basic commands-sit, stay, down-just to keep him sharp and get him used to listening to you. Due to your consistent and persistent training your dog will look to you for guidance and give you the deserved alpha status. Just use the following advice to teach your dog that he needs to listen to you, and make it clear to him that you as the alpha leader.
- At mealtimes, make your dog sit and wait for a little while-maybe 30 seconds or so- before you give your dog his meals. By doing this you are showing your dog that you have control of the food-this is a pretty clear way to tell him who the Alpha dog really is. Make him wait until he is calm before offering him the food as positive reinforcement that he has behaved properly. Reinforce his good behavior each time your dog is fed, to really drive home the point that he must wait for you-the boss- to let him eat.
- Another good idea is to make your dog sit and wait at the door every time he wants to go outside until he is invited out by you. By reminding him often of your alpha status, he will learn to look toward you for guidance as a matter of course.
- A similar exercise can be done when you are on a walk with your dog and want to cross the street. Don’t let your dog step off the curb into the street until he has first sat and waited at the curb. This training serves the dual purpose of teaching your dog not to run into the street, but also reinforces your alpha status.
As long as you are consistent with the positive obedience training, it shouldn’t take very long to earn your dog’s respect as its pack leader, and get your dog to behave his best.
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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