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Alpha: Is your Yorkie I've had a lot of people tell me that my dog is "the alpha dog". We were at a local music event and someone told me that once again when Maxwell decided to bark at their Norwick Elk Hound dog. I tried to get him away and from doing that, but they told me not to and their dog is okay. Maxwell never has done that before, but he has put a neighbor's Shih Tsu in a wrestling hold. How do I break him from being an "alpha dog"~? |
i dont know how to stop it but gatsby dose the same thing i just say sorry and and scold him for jumping and growling he once tried to bite a st. bernard that was just standing in the street later i felt so bad because i found out it was a service dog the handler old me he was afraid so he was trying to assert his domenence and thear is nothing i could do sorry i cant help but your not alone |
"Alpha" has been used so much that it has lost most of its meaning. Strictly speaking, dominance means "priority access to a desired resource." There could be many reasons why your dog barked at another dog. Thor does that all the time, and he is definitely not an alpha dog. What behavior specifically are you trying to change? Is he aggressive towards strange dogs? Too rough when he plays with friend doggies? Can you give us more info? |
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I have read that it is perfectly normal for dogs to do this. They are just demonstrating where they fit in the pack. To us it seems wrong, but it is proper doggie behavior. Of course if the dog becomes aggressive in a way that may cause the other dog harm or if the other owner disapproves then you have to stop your dog right away. If he is not being overly aggressive I wouldn't punish your dog. He is just displaying his natural doggie nature. I love Tamar Geller's book "The Loved Dog". It completely changed how I see dogs. I wouldn"t try to "break" your dog, he won't be the alpha dog in all situations, but in some yes, and that is good for his little doggie soul.:) |
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Roxie is definitely the Alpha dog in our pack, under me of course. It sounds to me that he isnt the alpha but that his behavior could be out of fear or lack of socialization. Possibly? Good luck. |
Hm, I don't know if I would consider him an "alpha" dog. I guess I'd really have to see him in a "pack" of dogs to determine that. Quicksilver is right - the term does get thrown around quite often and I think we lose meaning of what it really means. For example, I for sure consider my dad's Jack Russell mix, Lily, the Alpha dog. They have two dogs over there, her and their Doxy mix, Buddy. When I bring Jackson over, it makes three. Lily ALWAYS take control. She's the first to start barking at a noise outside, gets them all to follow, if they come anywhere NEAR her bone she's after them like crazy, she's the first to bark at an unknown dog, she just totally LEADS the pack. Jackson is sooo different when he's by himself and not influenced by her. He could care less about other dogs, he doesn't bark, he just likes to watch, he loves to go up and meet the other dog but he's generally shy and waits for them to approach him first, he rolls over on his back all the time, lol, he's 100% submissive, it's so funny. |
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