Tips on being a pack leader to my puppy?

Question

Ok, so this is my first puppy (that's why I'm asking so many questions on here). She's 5 months old. Anyhow, I want to make sure that she understands that I am the alpha dog/the pack leader. I take her on a couple long walks everyday. We train with her (and she does well). And I've heard to do things like eat first before you feed the puppy to show you're the leader. Any other tips on showing her who's boss?

Answer 1

Training her to be obedient is an excellent way to show your leadership. Once she knows the sit command, use it before giving her anything, like food, a treat, etc. Even tell her to sit before petting her!

Keep her confined to a crate or a certain area of the house at times during the day. Don't let her up on furniture or your bed. You may decide to let her have the run of the house when she's older, and let her up on furniture when she's older, but while she's still a puppy it's important to set limits so that they recognize you as the alpha.

Belly rubs are great to show your authority. If your puppy ever rolls over onto her back for a belly rub, take a moment to scratch her chest and belly. This praises the fact that she willingly went into a submissive posture for you, and it builds the pup's trust in you, knowing you won't harm her sensitive underside.

There are some things people might tell you that you should watch out for. The above methods I mentioned are gentle, trusting ways to teach her that you are the leader, and she will bond to you for them. But there are some methods people use that are NOT gentle, such as the "alpha roll", and this can make a dog lose its trust in you and even become aggressive. Said "alpha roll" is when you grab the dog and force it onto its back, holding it in this position for a time to "teach" it your dominance. Never do this with your puppy.

Answer 2

Leadership is about establishing rules, creating consequences (good and bad) for behavior, and controlling resources. It is not about physically leading. It is not necessary to eat first, walk out the door first, or do anything else first. I never walk out the door or eat before my dogs, and there is no question that I am in charge.

It is necessary to ask for a behavior before giving the dog what it wants (for example, sit for dinner, wait before going through a doorway). Depending on how assertive your pup is, you may need to ask for pup to do something for you when ever it wants anything (very assertive) or you may just need to ask her to do something for you a few times a day (the average dog).

Decide what the household rules will be and stick to them. Some will say you shouldn't allow the dog on the furniture or to do this or that. As long as the dog isn't in danger and people are not in danger, I think you should allow your dog to do whatever you want it to - again, though, after it does something for you. For instance, let the dog onto the bed after she does a trick.

When the dog does something you like, reward her. If she does something you don't like, she should lose a reward or privilege. For example, if she is barking to get your attention, walk into another room and close the door so she can't follow. Come out when she is quiet, ask her to sit, then give her attention. She will soon learn what to do.

Unless your dog is really bossy you shouldn't need to do anything special - just raise her the way all pups should be raised. Before and After Getting Your Puppy by Ian Dunbar has great information, as does Purely Positive Training (I think that's the title) by Pat Miller and Family Dog Training by Patricia McConnell. If you aren't so into reading a lot on training, watch Supernanny. Seriously! Being a good parent requires the same things whether to a pup or child.

Answer 3

I'll probably get some thumbs-down, and this is not animal abuse, but take a news paper or something similar, and the next time he does that, grab him by the scruff of his neck and give him a couple of good licks on his back hip. When in packs, the alpha male/female will put his a** on the gorund and scare him out of it. After I did this with my dog he never did it again and does not flinch or anything. He just knows that I am his leader and he does what I say. Edit- The above poster has an excellent suggetsion. Thumbs-Up!

Answer 4

So you wanna be the alpha. Yeah, as the human, you should be the alpha! Too many people don't establish this basic canine need with their little "pooky's" and it doesn't take long for the pooch to figure out how to train you! Caution; only one person in a dog's household (pack) can be the alpha, so you must first determine who that's going to be.

Disregard all the "I eat first" and "I use the doorway first" nonsense. They're all just headgames of no training value.

My dogs don't compete with me for food or access because I've never taught them that it in any way matters. If my dog gets in the doorway I want to use, he gets a gentle shove. That's K-9 for "I want through, so move". He simply gets out of my way when he sees I want to be where he is. That's alpha.

None of my dogs have ever resisted me if and when I had to take something away from them like food, or a bone, or the remains of some disgusting treasure they've proudly trotted up the front walk with.

My dogs have all been "good dogs" due to the simple fact that I spend time with them teaching them what's expected. If you expect nothing, that's exactly what you'll get.

Dogs are incredibly smart animals and the only creatures on earth that always think more of you than they do of themselves. They live to please you, but need your help in learning how to make you happy with them. Always remember, dogs love to learn what makes you like them so that they can do whatever it takes to make you happy. They're really neat!

Praise when they do good, a firm and assertive NO when they do bad. There are two things you never, ever, ever do to a dog. First, never hit a dog, ever! And second, never teach a dog to behave aggresively with you or anyone else! Did I say NEVER? I mean it!

Dogs are really easy to psych and they have very short attention spans, so all you have to do if your dog is doing something antisocial is interrupt its thought process with a firm NO, followed immediately by giving it a more interesting distraction like "wanna go outside?" or "get your ball!" But don't do the same thing over and over because it'll soon figure out what you're trying to do and learn to ignore you. Keep it guessing.

The absolutely very best way to establish your dominance as the alpha in the pack is to, at the soonest appropriate opportunity (when the dog gives you attitude) physically, forcefully and mercilessly flip it over onto his/her back on the ground and hold it pinned down while letting it know in no uncertain terms that you are furious with it and that it has really pissed you off. It's imperative that you hold it pinned down that way until it stops struggling and bears its throat to you. Your actions are unmistakably K-9 for "I'm the boss here and don't you ever forget it!" In some cases the dog will struggle with you, or yelp and cry and try to tell the whole world you're beating it to death with a big stick, but do not relent under any circumstances during this scene otherwise you'll lose the dog forever... guaranteed! You may have to perform this little act two, maybe three, times at the most. After that, whenever you flip the dog, it should just immediately submit and become docile. At that point, you'll know the dog has accepted the fact that you're the boss and it does as you tell it to to the best of its abilities. Flipping will not be beneficial or necessary beyond that point. Obedience training will then be a breeze because there will never be a power struggle.

Oh, and one last thing. Whatever you do, take it to basic obedience classes. The dog will bond with you for life and you'll have a dog that others will marvel at how good he/she is.

ps. Cutsie tricks are for circus clowns, not for dogs worthy of respect. A respected dog is one who is taught to understand good polite behaviour and who does what its told when its told to do it. They love to learn hand gestures, too. Makes them feel they're really smart.

Answer 5

As you said, you eat first, you go through doorways first, you go up and down steps first. The leader...leads. When playing do not let the puppy get over you. A leader is on top. The leader lets the lower ranking dogs (wolves) lick under their chin only. Obedience training is a must.

Answer 6

Definitely watch the Dog Whisperer, or get the book by Cesar Milan. Its on the National Geographic channel, and it can really help. (not to mention its a great show)

Here is his website:

http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 7

Congratulations on your puppy. I must also commend you on understanding the importance of taking the Alpha role.

Here are some techniques you can use:
*Always go thru a door first. don't let her lead on walks or in the house.
*hold he snout for a few seconds. If she struggles, do not let go until she calms down and submits.
*roll her onto her back and rub her belly.
*If you make eye contact, make sure she looks away first.
*Never let her win an argument. If she growls at you, growl back.
*EVERYTHING belongs to you. Food, toys, leash etc. are just on loan to her. Make sure you can take anything from her. If she resists, let her know that you are not pleased with resistance.

Finally, don't hit. It's typically not necessary.

Answer 8

Enter doors before the dog... if the dog is laying on the floor, couch, bed (whatever) and is in your way make them move dont step over or around. Feed dog after you eat.

Also if you play tug o war make sure you always end up with the toy.

Answer 9

There are many things you can do, just make sure you're the one who decides when to do things and what to do. You're the one who has the food. You're the fun one, the one that's gonna play. Try to stamp this into your puppies brain.

Answer 10

I suggest practicing NILF (Nothing in Life is Free) training.. you can learn it here... http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog_nilf.htm

You can also take A Lesson in Becoming Alpha... http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-alphadog.htm

For all sorts of great articles about dog training etc go here.... http://www.pets.ca/index-articles.htm

Good Luck!! I am glad you are asking lots of questions so you can learn about dogs, thats what every good owner should do!