Am I losing my Alpha status?
 

This may have been a previous thread, but I couldn’t locate it if so….Sowweee!! :confused:

What are signes that you could potentially be losing your Alpha leadership status over your yorkie? ...when either you've spoiled too much or maybe just too nice? I want to stay on my toes considering I have never owned a dog—let alone a lil yorkie with their distinct personalities. Anyone have any feedback on this? I'm a little worried...no real signs (I dont think), but it doesnt hurt to ask...
Thanks!!

Hard to say without addressing any behavior issues...Rizzo (my yorkie) doesn't have the traditional terrier attitude as far as dominance goes, so he is really easy to keep a lead over so I don't do any kind of alpha stuff, i.e. I eat first then him, the only thing I like to maintain is that I go through the door first than him. Keeps him from darting out without permission. You can always consult a trainer if you are having difficulty training/maintaining control over your yorkie.

Well I just adopted a Morkie (yorkie/maltese) who is very dominant. It has been a nightmare outside the home. At home she is pretty ok. I'm not sure of the age of your's, mine is 9 months, but some signs could be not listening to commands that you know he knows, growling at you or other family members, just being stubborn and refusing to comply. lol I would definitely get with a trainer (We are working with one) and keep on top of obedience. Also mastering the walk, as Cesar says lol, so you are in control as oppose to the dog dragging you around where it wants to go. They need a strong leader. Now I just have to figure out how to make our newly adopted one give up her leadership status from her previous owners. Good luck!

Oh that's an easy one!

In a nutshell, if your behavior is more reactive than proactive.... she hits your leg so you will look at her, and she 'sits' for a treat... she brings you a toy to throw for her.... she wants up on your lap and you stop what you are doing to accomodate her... etc.

and when she does something wrong, that you would never accept anyone (human or animal) doing, but you find yourself laughing at how cute she is, and say I know this is bad, we'll take care of it next time, and next time never comes....

you do 'ah,ah' to stop her from doing a bad thing and she looks at you so innocently, like 'What? Who, me???' and with the little head tilt your heart just melts and your brain goes gaga....

Hehe... been there, done that! :eek: :D

DITTO:thumbup:

Don't worry about it! Being your dogs "alpha" should be the farthest from your mind. Just be a parent, if you will. Yes, you need to enforce rules and train your dog, but there's no reason to dominate a dog.

I am not my dogs "pack leader" nor his "alpha". He doesn't obey commands because he HAS to... he does because he WANTS to and he ENJOYS pleasing me (well, he also loves food). He's my best friend, my every day companion, and my heart.

And with positive reinforcement, he has learned over 50 tricks at 2 years old and is constantly learning new ones and practicing old. He comes to me happily when I call his name (ok, most of the time!:p), he has for the most part gotten over his fear of strangers that we worked through, he has graduated his first agility class, and is well on his way to becoming a canine good citizen. He's friendly with all other dogs he meets, he's able to walk into a store or go anywhere really and be on his best behavior. And this, plus much more, was accomplished without physical corrections, without dominating him or rolling him on his back, or forcing him to walk behind me (though I don't allow to pull, typically speaking), or using a prong collar/choke chain/shock collar.

Most of all, we have FUN together. We have a freakin' blast and he and I both enjoy training equally. We're a team... I'm not "above" him. We have a mutual respect for one another that's created a strong bond that will last a lifetime.

I think you should be more concerned with building that trust and bond and both having respect for each other than worrying about being his alpha.

Thanks for the feedback! Jager is now 5 months and he isn't exhibiting anything abnormal, meaning he comes when I call, sits when I tell him to, and obeys the simple commands he understands. From time to time he'll get a "Jager-tude" if he doesn't want to be put in his pack in play, but I figure it's because he ALWAYS wants to play. I mean, ALWAYS! lol
I'll stay on my toes! And thanks Britster, you do make good points and I've definitely considered what you've said indeed!

ha, ha, I agree totally! :D:p

good post... but I had to laugh because after reading some book on dog training my daughters started calling me the alpha ... hmmmmm .. well I am the boss of our house:cool: