Do you think people are taking this alpha dog stuff to extremes?

Question

A lot of answers I read are show your dog whose alpha. How about show your dog some love and attention. How about letting your dog run of leash in a field for an hour, go home feed her a treat, than enjoy watching her take a nap. How about actually taking your dog out in public with you rather then shutting her up in a kennel or the house all day. You can't keep a dog locked in the house then expect her to be a social butterfly with excellent manners, then try to bully her into the behavior you want. Don't you think a dog has needs besides who eats first and who moves out of whose way first?

I dont recall the word yelling in my post.

but thanks for the word nothing written in all caps. So whose the yeller?

I do not think rolling a dog on it's side is going to make a dog do what you say. I think it makes a dog defensive. A dog needs leadership, but a family pet has needs other then sitting in a house all day being bullied around by some guy who just whatched an episode of the dog whisperer.

have you not seen on the dog whisperer when he alpha rolls a dog until it submits? Some people suggest it in their answers. To role the dog until its tail goes between it's legs or stops trying to get up.

my question was about this type of stuff. It was not intended for someone who has the brains to determine if their dog works better with praise, food, alpha roles.......this ? was intended for people who keep their dogs couped up in the house then think cause they eat before their dog does they are going to get positive results.

my question was about this type of stuff. It was not intended for someone who has the brains to determine if their dog works better with praise, food, alpha roles.......this ? was intended for people who keep their dogs couped up in the house then think cause they eat before their dog does they are going to get positive results.

Answer 1

I've been thinking that for quite some time now. I've read questions on here from people who want to know how to show their 9 week old puppy that they're alpha. People who think a teething puppy who's biting is showing aggression and want to show the puppy who's boss.

People's common sense seems to have evaporated. Cesar Milan is the fad at the moment with people who don't know how to train a puppy, then when that puppy turns into an out of control dog, they think alpha rolls or the like are the cure.

My dogs (past and present) have all known that I was in charge and that was never done with harsh treatment of any kind. They've all enjoyed "playing" obedience, learning whatever it is I was teaching. I've never believed that if you expect to have any kind of relationship with your dog, you can bully him. Your job is to teach. A dog who obeys through fear is not reliable, and definitely not a companion.

Answer 2

The information regarding dog packs was gleaned from studies done with wolves in captivity, which have been discredited today. Wolf packs consist of family members, so the alphas, are the parents.

So yes, people have taken this alpha stuff to far. It was unfortunately endorsed by the first Monks of New Skete training book (where the alpha roll was advised). The writer of that book has since come out and said that it was a big mistake and the new book doesn't include it.

You will be pleased to know that trainer like Suzanne Clothier are advocating training techniques that are based on building a relationship with your dog, not just 'making' it do something. You might enjoy 'If A Dog's Prayer Were Answered: Bones Would Rain From The Sky'

www.fearfuldogs.com

Answer 3

The dog needs to understand who's alpha in order for it to behave. The hierarchy needs to be set. Having said that, I do all the things that you've put in your question. He runs in the park for hours, he and I play together, he listens when we are in training, etc.

How I get "alpha" with my dog, is when I tell him to stop doing something (like chewing on something that he's not supposed to - he's only 10 months old). I tell him no. If he does it again, I tell him no again. And on the third time do I actually raise my voice, and pin him down at the shoulders and tell him NO. I hold him there until he relaxes, and does not try to get away.

I did have to do this more often when he was younger, and I do it far less now.

I think that there is a mis-understanding on what "alpha' means to different people. I do no hit my dog, nor is he "stuck" in a crate all day. Once I am home from work, he's a free boy. He loves his momma very much, and is one of the best dogs I've ever had.

Answer 4

1. I have two legs, the dogs have 4. In my house the 2-leggers call the shots.

2. My dogs get plenty of love and affection.. and it has nothing to do with who is the alpha.

3. My dogs run loose AFTER I've trained them to return to me, they get treats more often then most dogs do because I believe nearly every moment they are not sleeping is a training opportunity and I happen to have dogs at the moment who train well with an operant reward based system of training.

4. You'll rarely ever see me without a dog. My dogs are not social butterflies, their job and motivation in life is whatever it is they need to be doing for/with me at any given moment.. its what makes them happy. What makes them unhappy is when I chose another dog to work. No need to bully.. we both know who is boss.

5. My dog's needs coincide with my own. My dogs eat when I feed them. Move if I want them to move. We play when I say its time to play.. but most importantly...their JOY in life is making me happy.

What I find sad is the fact that I make $$ off of training people how to train their dogs... their dogs have been allowed to run wild and the dogs IMMEDIATELY start happily working for me simply because I am alpha. There is no force involved. Frankly, most of the time the dogs seem relieved someone is finally running the show. Most dogs do a lousy job at that.

Edit: HUH? Who said anything about rolling a dog on its side? Apparently I'm missing something you didn't put in the question... nor do I see it in any of the answers.

Answer 5

I know what question your referring to. These people must not of seen it. The question and the majority of the answers were idiotic, and upset me too. I have seen your answers, and know your not anti-alpha, but are concerned about abuse from people with little understanding of it. It does make me angry to think of a puppy who spends most of his time in a kennel, then gets alpha rolled for a play bow " being to hyper".
I think the people who answered thought it an attack on what they are trying to do with their dogs. HAGN

Answer 6

I think "Alpha" refers to the dogs and not the people. Cesar Millan refers to us as "Pack Leaders" You do have to be in control of your dog but as a Pack Leader, not an Alpha.
I guess some people consider it one and the same.
Read Cesar's book. It is not only interesting, but very informative for dog owners. Dogs need exercise, rules and affection - in just that order.

Answer 7

Showing your dog that you are alpha is the first step in having a well trained, well behaved, and therefore, happy dog. A dog does NOT want to be yelled at all the time, and if the dog thinks he's alpha, he is going to do things that get him in trouble with his owner.

Taking him outside and such has NOTHING to do with being alpha.

Answer 8

Yep -
I think there are so many people who can't manage the subtle ways of saying "I'm in charge" that they have to be belligerent about it. (humm.. think about people relations if you see some person obsessed with every little indication of status do you think him higher status than someone that just walks in and ASSUMES status or do you consider him a "pretender to the throne".

Answer 9

you obviously dont know anything about having a happy, healthy dog