10/25/2021
Alphamanship- why you need to be the Alpha in your dog's life!
Please understand the dog you live with in not a hunched over, hairy, four footed human being. Instead, the dog you live with is a den dwelling, pack animal. Not understanding this concept has cost more dogs their life than you or I will ever know. When bringing a dog into your home it is imperative that you become the Alpha in each dog’s pack as quickly as possible. Simply stated, if you are not the alpha (pack leader) in your dog’s life, he will be the alpha in your life. Alphamanship (control) in three areas of your dog’s life will accomplish multitudes to keep avoid future major battles.
Study of a pack of wild dogs, would reveal some repeated patterns in several areas. When food was present, a certain dog would eat first. Bedtime might find, this same dog choosing his spot first. Then the other dogs would arrange themselves around this dog. Dog games would be started by this same character. Favorite sticks or toys would clutter the den around this dog. The last repeated behavior would be the manner this dog chooses to treat any dog which dares to violate these areas. Let’s just say the alpha’s response to any challenge of his authority would be instantaneous. The response would most probable involve a growl and teeth. The recipient of such discipline does not enjoy this aspect of the alpha’s attention.
We utilize the dog’s natural pack animal tendencies to help them become a better pet. It is important to be the “alpha” in your dog’s life. There are three things we want to control to help the dog understand we are the “alpha”-food, the place they sleep and the games they play. Combining control of these basics with handling, grooming and obedience training allow us to make drastic changes in a dog’s life in a very short period of time. Controlling these might sound difficult. Not so. Listed below are some simple basic rules to follow to accomplish control in all of these areas:
1. Before the dog eats he must perform a behavior (sit). Accomplish this by commanding the dog to “sit”. At first you may have to repeat the command many times. Using a piece of food from the dog’s dish or better yet a piece of hot dog, lure him into a sit position. You may have to have the dog on leash. You may have to repeat this command many times or help the dog by touching his bottom. Sometimes it takes a do several times before he gets the idea. Sometimes the dog will jump up every time you reach for the dog’s dish. Be persistent and consistent. The dog will get the idea. Usually it will only take a week of doing the exercise for the dog to get the idea. In time they will go to their crate and sit when you start ti fix the food. Place the food in the dog’s crate. We feed all our dogs in their crate to help them associate a positive with being in their crate. The door may be left open or closed. Ideally, you will feed 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening schedule. If the dog does not eat in this time remove the food and throw it away. Preferably the dog will eat dry kibble only with just enough water to slosh around. Pet the water on and feed immediately, do not soak the food until it is soggy. Crunchy is much better for the dog’s teeth.
The finished form of this behavior is for the dog to enter his crate, sit and wait for the dish of food to be placed in the crate for them to eat.
2. The dog will sleep in their crate. Don’t think of the crate as punishment. A dog learns many things from using a crate. This is your dog’s own territory, his or her “safe haven”. The dog learns to lie down, sleep and be quiet when left alone. The crate prevents destructive behavior when you are out of your house. Bedding is optional. Bedding is only for dogs that do not chew or ingest bedding. If you are not sure if the dog is a bedding chewer it is better to be on the safe side and not put any bedding at all in the crate.
3. Start all dogie games and win them by having the toy in the end. The rules for all games are the same. The trainer starts the game. The game stops when the trainer says so. The trainer walks away with the toy. Keep the dog’s fetch toy put away until you are playing with the dog. You take the toy out and entice the dog to play. Play for a short period of time and then the toy is put away. You are winning the game in the dog’s mind when you are in control of the toy in the end.
Our primary goal is to habilitate dogs. Training will hopefully keep a dog in it’s new home or keep the dog in your care until he can go to his forever home. Following these simple rules can be “make it or break it” for many dogs. If a dog has been sent to the rescue because he is jumping on furniture or showing other dominate behaviors crate training can fix those unwanted behaviors and make the dog adoptable.
