Puppy Lesson: Establish The ALPHA Position

All our dealings with our dog will be from a position of authority, or ALPHA. Being pack animals, dogs see us simply as members of their pack. A pack is a very structured society with a set hierarchy with an absolute leader (ALPHA) on down to a very definite subordinate.

Following are just a few basic rules to follow that allow us to establish our ALPHA over our dog:

NEVER HIT YOUR PUPPY - even a teeny, tiny flick on the pup's nose can possibly make it hand shy and defensive

DON'T SCREAM OR YELL AT THE PUP - Alpha never has to bark. When you yell (bark), your puppy instinctively knows that you are not Alpha.

NEVER GIVE EMPTY OR REPETITIVE COMMANDS - always ensure your puppy complies with any and all commands

DON'T GIVE THE PUP TABLE SCRAPS - the puppy doesn't need it in the first place and it only confuses the Alpha

DONT GIVE OLD PERSONAL ITEMS TO THE PUP - your pup can't tell the difference between an old, torn sock and, a brand new one; an old, worn slipper and a brand new pair of loafers, a frayed bed sheet and a brand new quilt ...

F YOU CAN'T CORRECT IT ... PREVENT IT - greet the pup on the ground before it jumps on you, crate the pup when you can't watch it like a hawk, move that shoe before the pup pounces on it

IF IT HAS ALREADY HAPPENED, IT'S TOO LATE - if you find poop on the floor or discover the insides of your couch on the outside all you can do is clean it up and prevent it from happening again

ALWAYS PRAISE YOUR PUP WHEN IT IS GOOD - toss in a "Good Boy" or "Good Pup" when the pup is playing with its toy, when it just sits beside you, when it lays down to rest

ALWAYS THINK ABOUT ONE YEAR FROM NOW - will this cute act still be cute when the pup is 3 times its present size?

MAKE THE PUPPY WORK - have the pup SIT or GIVE PAW for a treat; have the dog SIT so you can put its collar on; have it the DOWN to get petted

TEACH YOUR PUP TO RESPECT YOUR AREA - every now and then, make it a point to sit on the same spot that your dog is lying (gently pick it up or nudge it away); shuffle through the dog instead of walking around it

TOUCH YOUR DOG EVERYWHERE - caress, massage, rub, poke, prod and touch every inch of your pup... from the tip of its nose to between the pads of its feet; softly coo and praise as the dog accepts these touchings; correct any attempt to stop you from touching it.

Comments

[Vicky T.]

Another great article! I live in an area where people are quite behind the times in terms of animal care and treatment. Far too often I hear stories of people who are convinced that the word "alpha" is defined by physical and emotional dominance, rather than by quiet, confident leadership, and think that I'm crazy or soft when I try to explain the trueness of what is written here.

This is a link that will be passed on many, many times by me in the future.

[Carter Clews]

I have adopted a nine-month old pit bull puppy. What is the best way to get him to stop jumping and affectionately biting?

[Augie]

The best way to stop him from jumping and biting apparently was to abandon him in a field as you did!!! People like you do not deserve pets.Very sad!!!