I say let dogs be dogs and let them decide who is alpha, beta, etc. They are far happier that way! Years and years of observing all kinds of dogs teaches you that they know best how to deal with one another according to their mores. Trying to take a weaker dog and give it things first or preferentially upsets the whole pack. Dogs expect their alpha leader to go first and get his/her "due".
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |