How To Become The Alpha Dog
(Keep Fido At The Bottom Of The Pack)

You can’t start in-depth dog training until you establish yourself as the alpha dog. Your dog must realize he is at the bottom of the family hierarchy and your orders are to be followed.

Dogs are natural “pack” animals, but do very well in a household where they are at the bottom of the social chain so we have to work to put them there.

How you interact with your dog will determine whether you are becoming the pack leader in your dog’s eyes, or a submissive follower. Being a good “alpha dog” does not mean you are mean, nasty or excessively “bossy.” No. It does mean you are calm and in control at all times though.

If he nips at you, give him a very sharp ACK!!! Or, “Ah Ah Ah” He will have to learn that you are not another puppy and you won’t stand for that.

Make him “sit” or go “down” before you give him anything. When he starts to respond to you before you respond to him, he will look to you to set the rules and schedules.

For puppies, becoming pack leader right away is very important. Practice submission constantly. Hold the pup until he stops squirming and jerking around and when he stops, praise him.

Good for all dogs, young and old, but especially puppies... massage their ears, muzzle, paws legs and body. Most dogs love to be “handled” which is a form of petting. Don’t pull anything, just rough him up a little so he knows he is being played with and loved. Do this at a time of your choosing, not his and preferably after a training session, as a reward.

Your tone of voice is important too. A high pitched voice indicates play and fun time while a normal voice is used for commands. Save the low voice for corrections.

Dogs are quick to pick up on their humans’ moods and do realize when you are sad, depressed, lonely, crying, happy, mad and so forth.

A dog is much more sensitive than many people realize. Don’t let your dog see you when you are emotionally upset or especially anxious. He’ll see it as weakness and you’ll lose alpha dog status.

As pack leader, enter rooms before your dog. Eat meals at the table before the dog eats his meal. Don’t share table food with the dog. Alpha dogs never share food. Make sure the whole family follows through on this and that someone doesn’t go sneaking treats under the table.

Inform the family you are trying to become the alpha dog in your dog’s eyes so they will know what’s going on.

When becoming pack leader, don’t chase after your dog and don’t play too rough. Wholesome play is okay, but not roughhousing. Alpha dogs don’t do that.

This same principle is used in working with dogs with food bowl aggression. Sometimes it is better to just ignore your dog for awhile.

• Pretend you don’t know he is trying to get your attention. He might just figure out he is not so important after all.

• Alpha dogs have a way of ignoring the other dogs around them.

• Make your dog SIT before you give him a treat, before you toss the ball for him, and before you put his food bowl on the floor.

• If it is a small dog, do NOT pick him up every time he puts his paws up on your leg. Put him in a SIT position instead. Tough love, I know, but it’s better than living with an alpha dog!

• Come in from the market, greet all people in the household first, put the groceries away and relax in your chair. Then, call your dog to you.

  You are establishing hierarchy as alpha dog.

• If you’ve been outside for awhile and your dog was inside, come into the house and ignore the dog. Wash up, change clothes, whatever, but ignore the dog. He’ll get the idea he’s not that important.

• When it is time to take your dog for a walk, and the dog is trying to guide you to the door, ignore him for a while. Take him out on YOUR terms and timing, not his.

• It is important to educate everyone in the family about these things so you are all on the same page. Explain to the family what an alpha dog is and why you're becoming one.

Your dog will take any opportunity to his advantage if someone bends a rule and then you have to work harder and longer to get him back to “start."

Your dog should obey any command that you give him within several seconds. If he doesn’t, he is either ignoring you, which means your position as alpha dog is under threat, or he does not understand what the command means and the dog needs more training.

In the event your dog is jumping up and all over you, give him a quick “SIT’ or “DOWN” command to put him in his place and let him know that sort of thing will not be tolerated.

Do the same if he is jumping all over guests at the front door.

If your dog responds to your command in some situations and not others then it is likely that he is ignoring you. To stop this from happening:

• Use something to alarm your dog, such as a squirt from a water pistol or shaking a pennies-filled can.

• Make sure that you do this while he is in the act of ignoring you.

• Don’t yell, swear or strike the dog, ever! This technique was used in the 1940’s, but has been proven totally counterproductive and harmful to the dog. In fact, a lot of dogs are super-sensitive and can become emotionally shaken.

• At the same time say a loud “ACK” or utter a sharp growling sound like “Aaahhh”. Use a stern voice so that the dog recognizes the difference in tone from your normal voice.

• It's important that the voice correction is sincere and that the delivery is consistent so that the dog associates the harsh word or words with stopping the behavior. Don’t lose your alpha dog impact.

• Then redirect your dog with the command.

Make sure that you keep up with the training and obedience work.

At the very least throw in a few commands whenever you take your dog for a walk, like “sit” when you come to a street corner. “Down” while waiting for traffic.

Teach your dog all of the commands listed below as a minimum. They are particularly good for reinforcing your position as the “Alpha Dog,” someone to be listened to and obeyed.

Sit - Stay

Down - Stay

The “down” command is especially important because it puts the dog in a highly vulnerable, submissive position… flat on his belly. In this position, the dog knows he is not the alpha dog!

These are essential basic training commands. Make sure you use them on a regular basis. Becoming "top dog" is one of the most important things you will do. This way your authority is regularly reinforced and there will be no question who the alpha dog is.

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