the stupid "alpha" thing. for doggies.?

Question

hello... so.. i was just asking a few questions and most of their answers lead to... be the dog's leader/alpha. now. i am not the only person that the dog knows. i have a beagle. the first person she met in our family.. was my older brother so basically, she kinda thinks that he is her alpha. anything. or way i can do to make her think im her leader too? she thinks im a dumb dog and she doesnt repect me.

after i came home from school today shes lke barking and howling at me like saying" come out and play!!!! and give me food!!!!!" mmkay serious answers pls besides hitting her cus i know that already. mmkayyyyyy thanx you.

NO. I SAID I KNOW ABOUT HITTING HER BUT I DONT

ok. m dog does not know where the food comes from, when it comes from me and i bring the food. so dont answer with the food crap. she thinks she just gets food. she doesnt really appreciate it..

Answer 1

The alpha dog will respect the person (or thing) that gives them their needs. If she wants play--YOU play with her. If she wants to walk--YOU walk her. When she gets fed--YOU feed her. When she does something "wrong"--YOU punish her for it (and a simple "bad dog" is punishment enough). YOU must do everything for her. She'll learn that the only way she gets what she wants is because of you. Keep in mind too, in the wild, the alpha is usually the largest. So you must be above her (meaning, don't tell her she's a naughty dog if you're laying on the floor lower than she is--you must make it so she has to look UP at you). Basically, it all boils down to intimidation (for the most part).

I had a similar problem with a dog I rescued a few years ago. She was alpha. Everyone and everything was under her. In the yard, with the other dogs, she is alpha. She "keeps the peace" so to speak. But in MY house, I'M alpha and she is under me. I keep the peace inside. It's taken time but she has gotten to the point where if I even look at her with "evil eyes" she knows that this alpha (me) isn't approving of her actions and she needs to back down. Things like dog fights used to be hard to break up. A simple, deep "hey" stops her dead in her tracks and she cowers away now. She now understands that she only gets what she wants because I give it to her.

Answer 2

This is super easy actually.

And then again, it's also not. (meaning, you can do these two exercises.. and follow all the suggestions of all the people on here.. but if you are letting her get away with dominant behaviors and don't know it.. then.. .. well you get what I"m saying.. it's just not as easy as 123 always.)

1) play tug of war. Never let her take the tug for herself - never have the last word. Say "give" and hold a treat to her nose. When she gives the toy up, say "YES!" and give her the treat.

Repeat a few times and then the last time.. put the toy up and say "all done" and walk away.

You are now beginning to creep up on the alpha chain.

2) Pack exercise. Do this once every night.. for a couple of months or even longer if needed. THIS IS SOOOO GOOD! Have her lay down.. you're kneeling next to her.. with hand on her back.. tell her "be still" and make sure she is calm and still. Do this for just a minute in the beginning. When the minute is up and she has been good the entire time, say "yes" pause "all done" and give her a treat. You should eventually be able to do this be still for at least 20 minutes. sound excessive? Do you really want to be the second from top alpha? Do it!

If you can't get her to be calm and "be still".. then you need to back up and try a different exercise first.... Kneel on the floor and have the dog sit between your legs. Both you are facing forward. Your hands cross in front of her chest. "BE STILL" you will say and hold her in this position until she is still. "Yes" and give her a treat.

If she can't even do that, have dog stand, you stand over it.. both you are facing same direction. reach on either side of dog, interlock fingers under it's belly.. closer to the front armpits.. lift dog off floor .. let it fight and fret all it wants.. "be still" you will say when she's still. and then "all done" to let her know she was good and all is finished. Give a treat. THen work on the sitting, then work on the pack exercise.

There are many more.. but this pack exercise and getting her to be still is super big in the alpha kingdom.

My wife had to do this with our dog.. coz the dog knew for dammed well who was in charge.. but she didn't know my wife was second in command.. and that she the dog was **** bottom on the list ! LOL.

It's not a bad thing to be at the bottom. As long as you're nice to them and give them rewards., etc.

Any others.. just email.. we've been through most of it ! [e-mail]

P.S. If she jumps on you.. say "off" and turn around facing away from her. Teach her to greet you by sitting. (another one.. that would be on your terms.. not hers) If you need more help just hollar. :)

P.S. BARKING AND HOWLING. If you respond to this.. you are in trouble - you are being submissive to her demands. IGNORE HER. When she finally shuts the hail up - after about two to five minutes of peace and quiet, go to her and say "quiet" pause.. "yes" and give her a treat.

People think so many things dogs do are cute.. but they're actually destroying the alpha in you and you haven't the foggiest what's happening.. and then you never know what hit you until afterwards.. and even then you wonder why your dog wont shut up, why it jumps on you, why it growls when you try to take it's food bowl away.. blah blah blah.

I'm super Alpha.. but our dog has never been hit, never been scolded in a negative way... last word is always positive and she's a sweetheart.

Answer 3

Sounds like you need to read some great books on dog training and behavior. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 4

I've done this with my son - he can now control our shepherd cross (even though the dog is bigger and stronger than he is). If the dog is NOT nippy (if you are at all afraid that the dog might bite, DON'T try this!) then have the dog lay down, flip it on its back, and put your hand firmly on his/her neck. (don't choke it, just use enough pressure to keep it on its back) While it is on its back, stare the dog down - when the dog looks away, you can let it go. Do this a few times and it will realize that you're in charge, too.

Answer 5

Dogs are most likely to be more active and responsive to people who show gentle, kindness, and loving characteristics, while all the while being assertive in a good manner.

NEVER hit your dog or do something terrible to him. Earn his trust through being kind and playful with him. If he does something wrong, say a phrase in a harder tone and tug on his collar *if necessary*.

If the dog finds you to be a person that's willing to be playful and responsible towards him, he will no doubt act with the same care you give him.

Answer 6

i became once advised that the in basic terms stupid question is the single no longer requested. i imagine formerly asking a question human beings ought to carry out a touch analyze. The stupidest question i have considered on the following ought to should be the "am I pregnant?" ones. Get actual human beings, we are no longer your health care specialist or your uterus, we do not recognize once you're pregnant, pee on a stick and then you'll recognize! this is in simple terms stupid.

Answer 7

Well she's a beagle. I have one too. anyways.. they are hyper dogs and love attention. my dog does that every single day too. I learn to live with it. that's just how the breed is. There are ways to show your dominance over her. But i would talk to a professional dog trainer about that because if you do it wrong you might just mess things up more.

Answer 8

Wanting to play and wanting to eat should not be a problem for you. She does not need to be shown who is boss for this behavior. At least play with her until your brother gets home to feed her. Maybe give her a couple of treats. She just needs some attention, some loving from you.

Answer 9

make a point to be the only person to feed her,also make her eat after you.the strongest dog(you)always eats first.and she will become dependant on you for her food.

Answer 10

Here is an article from my website that will help you.
Complete instructions on the Amichein Bonding process will be available soon at: http://www.thepetproject.zoomshare.com
This will work. I have used it many times with my clients.

How to Tell if Your Dog Has a Superiority Complex and What to do About it
Most bad behavior in dogs happens because of a very simple reason. Your dog has a superiority complex. You can take the dog out of the wild, but you can't take the wild out of the dog. Dog’s instincts are basically identical to the instincts of wild dogs and wolves. The only difference is that dogs view humans as part of their 'pack' and wolves and wild dogs do not. The 'leader of the pack' is responsible for the safety and well being of all the pack members. The leader of the pack has certain rights and privileges that come from being the pack leader, such as; the pack leader decides when to show affection or ask for affection, eats before all others in the pack, leads the 'hunt' or walk, and decides what is dangerous to the pack. eg. other dogs. Signs that your dog may feel that he/she is the leader are; pawing at you, staring at you, leaning against you or jumping up on you, nipping and mouthing, barking at you, protective of food or toys, barking at visitors out windows or at fences and when someone comes into your home and pulling on the lead when you are walking, hyperactivity and dominance with other dogs, people and objects, eg. 'humping' Amichein Bonding: These simple steps will get the message across to you dogs that they are not the leader you are, and therefore they do not have to worry about the responsibilities of being the leader. eg. barking at people when they get close to the houes or yard. when you first enter the house from being away, you must show your authority. the leader has a personal bubble of space that can only be penitrated when the leader says so. you must ignore your dogs when you come home until they have settled down. do not look at them, do not acknowledge them and do not pet them. once they have calmed down you may call one of them to you, tell him/her to sit and after they comply you may give them all the love you desire to give. If, however, they start to jump around again you must start all over. They must understand that you will give them affection but only on your terms, no one elses. The second step is gesture eating. The leader always controls the food. The leader always eats before the rest of the pack. Once the leader has gotten his/her fill the rest of the pack is then allowed to eat. I am not a big fan of eating a whole meal infront of my dogs so there is something else you can do that will get the message across just as well. You should never free feed your dogs. This gets the message across that because they have full access to food at all times that they are the leaders. Take a cookie or a cracker and place it on your counter. Place your dogs food bowls beside your cookie and prepare the dogs meal. Before placing your dogs food down for them to eat, make sure that they are watching, and eat your cookie or cracker infront of them. You dont' want to make a big scene, but you do want them to see what you are doing. You want them to think you are eating right out of their food bowls. And when you are finished it looks as if you have taken your fill and the rest of the pack can now eat. Third step. The leader always has a personal space in the house that no one else is allowed into unless allowed by the leader. For me it is my living room. My dogs are not allowed in my living room unless I say it is ok and not before. At first this may be hard to do. The best thing to do is go and get a few baby gates and place them in the opening of the room that is 'off limits' to your dogs. After a while your dogs will get the picture and you will be able to take the gates down. After that it is a constant reminder to your dogs that you are not welcome unless the leader says so. My male, who is a pure bred border collie stud, constantly tests me. He will put one foot into the living room and check to see if I am watching, If I don't see him right away he will put another foot in and check me again. By this time I have caught him and all I need to say is 'out', and he will retreat. However, there are some days that he will test me further and that is when I only need to stand up off the couch and he will back away with a look of, 'I'm sorry, your the leader.' You should never give your dogs full run of the house. Not even when you are home. Fourth step. The leader is always the one to lead the pack on the 'hunt'. The hunt being anytime you and your dogs leave the 'den' house. If your dogs pull on the lead or walk infront of you at anytime, the walk is over and you return to the 'den'. The dogs must understand that the 'hunt' only takes place under your rules. This may take quite a few times, but it is very important to follow all steps. Your dogs will be looking for any sign of weakness from you for them to try and take over again. Practicing 'heal' in a controled environment eg. in the home or in your enclosed yard, on a lead at all times, is a good way to train them for the hunt. All these steps take time and effort, but they will work. I have tested these theory's time and time and time again, not only with my dogs but with numorous clients of mine. This is a way of life with your dogs, not just a quick fix. Once you go back to your old ways your dogs will return to their old ways. By: Sarah Hill - Owner Top Knot Professional Grooming & Paws-itive K9 Consulting

If you have any more questions feel free to email me at: [e-mail]