What method can I do to reliably tell my order in the 'pack'? I want to make sure I am the alpha so that my dog follows what I say, but I am not sure the best way to test. My dog, most of the time, obeys commands, but from what I have read that is not the best way to tell who is the boss.
Any suggestions?
2006-12-12 05:29:31 · 13 answers · asked by BillJameson 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Stare your dog in the eyes. If he looks away, then you are the alpha of the pack. If it takes a while or the dog doesn’t look away, the dog may think it is in charge.
2006-12-12 05:38:45 · answer #1 · answered by dopeadevil23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never really been able to tell with my dog. He listens to all my commands, even "come here" when he knows he did something wrong or is going to get a bath (he hates baths). If I raise my voice, even if it isn't at him, he flips on his back. He won't eat until I eat, even though his food is sitting right there. He'll give a million kisses on my chin if I let him. He's never attacked anyone and only growls at his toys.
But he paws for attention, too. He dashes out the door the second it's opened. His favorite spot in the whole house is on the back of the sofa, although I suspect this is because there's a bay window there that he likes to look out. If I do the staring thing, he wags his tail like crazy and holds the stare for a minute before getting a toy.
But he's a happy dog, and I'm happy with him. So even if he only sees me as the alpha sometimes, I'm okay with that.
2006-12-12 06:48:04 · answer #2 · answered by Pink Denial 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are some of these people here for real? Give him uncinditional love? Roll him over and stare at him? I am surprised no one offer to urinate on the dog. Listen doing stunts like these will only get you seriously hurt if your dog is the alpha male in the house. Here are some simple rules for establishing the position of the alpha male. Dogs do not belong on ANY furniture, EVER. Dogs do not sleep with us on our beds, EVER. Dogs eat only after WE eat. they are not allowed near the table when we eat. They do not eat human food. They sit and wait for their food. they do not walk through the doors first, any doors. They move out of the way when we want to get through, regardles of what they are doing, we do not go around them. I can go on and on, but, you get the idea. Violating any of these rules will get you in trouble if your dog does not have his social drives in order.
2006-12-12 06:25:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am no expert but i would have to say in order to tell if you are the "alpha male" or the "pack leader" is by looking at your dogs body language what i mean by this is if you scold him does he lie down, when you walk is he right beside you as if he is waiting for you to tell him what to do. Having a dog listen to your command is probably the best way to tell. Hope i could help. Good luck
2006-12-12 05:48:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am alpha of my parents two rott's, from the time they were small i would flip them onto their backs and stare them in the eyes, now I just have to look at them and snap my fingers and they roll. When they do something bad I make them expose their stomachs and stare them in the eyes, I am one of the only people they listen to, they listen to me better than they do my parents. When I play with them I make sure they don't get to win because that means they are dominate and you can't let that happen, never let a dog pin you when you are playing, it shows them that they are stronger.
2006-12-12 05:40:02 · answer #5 · answered by mom-of-2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, this is just a little test. Sit on the floor, and if he comes over to you and starts to hump your head ( or any other part of your bodily parts ), you are outta luck. In which case, I'd say to get a cat.Other then the free entertainment that can last for hours watching them, you are a step-up on the pecking order.
2006-12-12 05:39:10 · answer #6 · answered by classyndn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neutering may not help. I'd teach him an "off"" or "back up" command. I like back up. You can just hold a treat and kind of walk into your dog and when he backs up- give him the treat. After he backs up just when you start moving then you can start adding the cue "back-up" before you move. Eventually he will respond to the words only. Tire him out more during the day so he sleeps through the night. Give him a hard chew toy to keep him busy or a bully stick or kong. Alternately you could crate him while you sleep to keep him out of trouble in general. Dogs often hump just in play or when they are hyper. Teach off or back up and after using them a lot he will learn you just don't like getting humped!
2016-03-13 06:10:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are providing food and not letting them sleep with you that will help. Also, if your dog is trying to sit above you that means they are dominating you. Like my dog sometimes tries to sit on the back of the couch while I'm watching tv.
2006-12-12 05:36:35 · answer #8 · answered by so.good 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look him in the eye- if he immediately looks down and will avoid all eye contact- you are the top dog. If he lets you go first out the door (unless you tell him to) The staring contest is the best method- the longer he stares- the less dominant you are over him. If he attacks- he is waaaaay over you and you need to work on dominance.
2006-12-12 05:41:03 · answer #9 · answered by D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if the dog goes ahead of you in a walk, tht is a clue, and fi you pet the dog too much then tht is also a thing tht will make it think he/she is the alpha, and too many treats
2006-12-12 05:32:42 · answer #10 · answered by The "Dony" 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋