How to become the Alpha Dog ?

It is very important that your dog sees you, the owner, as the alpha dog, the leader of the pack. The dog will step into the role if he feels there is no one else to fill it, and that will result in disobedience and bad behaviour. The whole family represents the dog’s pack, and the dog must feel that he is at the bottom of it. Far from being cruel or mean, the dog will be much happier for it.

The best ways to exert your authority over the dog are by sticking to a few simple rules. First and foremost, your dog must always eat after the rest of the family. If he is given his dog pet food at the same time or before, he will believe he is more important than the rest of you. No scraps should ever be thrown for the table either. Human food can be dangerous for a dog if consumed and this behaviour causes begging too. Only healthy dog food should be provided.

Secondly, never allow your dog to exit the house or car in front of you. Again, this demonstrates he is more important in the pack. Always make him wait for you to give him the signal that he can leave.

Never allow the dog to pull on the dog collar and lead when out walking or making any of the decisions such as when to stop, where to turn and when to go. You must be in charge from start to finish on the walk to make your position clear. Some training may be required to get your dog to “heel” by your side when wearing his dog collar and lead.

Finally, the dog needs to feel like he is a guest in your home and is lucky to be there. This is created by making some items of furniture off limits such as the bed and the sofa. Another good trick is to sometimes make your dog give up his place for you. It may seem mean to kick the dog off a chair and take it yourself, but it is better for everyone in the long run.

These are the best and easiest ways to display your position as leader of the pack. If these rules are stuck to rigidly and coupled with brief periods of training each day (simple commands such as “stay”, “come” etc) then the dog will happily remain at the bottom of the pack, where he wants to be.

Have any of you got any tips on being the alpha dog at home? Send in your comments below.