How can you tell if your dogs is the alpha male?

Answer 1

the subordinant one asks silly questions on a general internet answer forum.
Nothing says "I am your leader" faster than taking your dog to some sort of obedience/manners training class. Whether it be pop and jerk or cookie pushing, when you train your dog you are telling him you are in control, you are confident and you will keep him safe.

Answer 2

I have 3 dogs and the oldest boy is the top dog he is allowed into rooms in the house that the other 2 puppies are not. But one of the puppies thinks he is Alpha dog. These are a list of things that he used to do. sit higher on the sofa than anyone else. Bully my youngest dog. out in front when walking. cocking his leg were ever he felt like it and that included the house. Would bark & bark until he would get petted. I spoke to the breeder that I got him from and a after a few days of training him on a one to one we no longer have this problem

Answer 3

The alpha dog in a pack is the smartest, I assume it is you. The best a dog can do when living with humans is number two. I am the alpha male because I provide them with food and control what they do.

Answer 4

In your home, you and your family become your dog's pack, as do any other dogs you may have. It is your responsibility to establish yourself in the alpha position. If you fail to do this, your dog will do it as a natural behavior. Many people assume that they are automatically in charge just because humans are superior to animals. But are you really the pack leader? Does your dog know it?

Being the pack leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor does it mean that there has to be a battle of wills after which you are the victor. Anyone can be the pack leader. It is an attitude an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides the building blocks of communication between the two of you.

A pack animal becomes a full fledged member of the group by a process called subordination. With dogs, subordination begins shortly after the third week of life and continues throughout early development. Most normal, healthy puppies are basically pushy animals, and will try to advance as far as possible within the social order of the pack. The key to successfully rearing a puppy is to establish yourself as the pack leader and then maintain that position for the life of your dog.

So how do you become the alpha leader? In the wild, the adults of the pack begin early to teach the cubs the rules. The adults grab pups around the head or neck and gently, but firmly, pin them to the ground. The cubs learn to greet the adults with respect by approaching them using a slightly crouching posture, with ears back, tail down and wagging, and they lick the adults' muzzles. The cubs do this as a sign of respect and affection, not out of fear. It is called the subordination display, and its function is to keep peace and harmony within the pack.
Alpha exercises

Leadership exercises can confirm humans as the heads of the family pack. Once you establish this relationship, your dog will seek you out. He will want to be with you and will treat you with respect and affection. After he learns to submit to handling, all other tasks such as grooming, nail clipping, cleaning ears, and medicating will be easier to accomplish. But first he must learn that you have the power to handle him, and that handling will not lead to any harm. He must come to trust you entirely.


The stare

Eye contact is also one of the ways order is kept in a wolf pack. Only an alpha animal may use the stare to remind everyone who is in charge. When you initiate eye contact, you express your alpha position. Encourage your pup to maintain eye contact for several seconds, making it a pleasant experience. Do not force him to do so. Use the term "watch me" and always praise him the instant you have eye contact. However, you do not want to try to do this with a dog who thinks he is already in charge of things. The dog must know you are the leader first. Otherwise you will begin a stare-down contest. An alpha dog will not be willing to be first to avert his eyes. If you are the first to avert or even blink your eyes, it will help confirm the dog's alpha status.
Alpha discipline: Pack leader activities

There are many pack leader activities you can use as part of a daily training routine. Probably the single most important command your dog can learn is "sit." You can incorporate "sit" into everyday situations as a reminder that you are in charge of things. Tell your dog to "sit" before you feed him, before you play, before he goes out the door. This shows the dog that he must respond to you before indulging in his own pleasures. If he is obedience trained, put him in a down-stay while you prepare his dinner.

If your dog growls or snaps and you are afraid to discipline him, seek professional help. Don't ignore the incident; a dog allowed to threaten his family can easily become a biter.

Never overlook any challenge to your authority. Most dogs will test their owners, usually in adolescence. When the issue is settled immediately, it usually ends the matter.

There are several books that will help owners establish leadership to assure a long, healthy relationship with a pet. There are also several training clubs and businesses in the area for those who prefer an instructor's assistance and for those who need help with problem dogs.

Answer 5

allowing him on the couch
feeding him human food when he begs
letting him sleep with you
walks in front of you when you take him for walks
tries to hump you
leaves out of the house before you do

not training him properly can lead to all of these and a disobedient dog

Answer 6

Do you let him boss you around and rule the house? Does he always get his way, no matter what? Do you give in when he begs for food or takes your spot on the sofa?
If you answer yes to any of these, you've got yourself a dominant animal alright.