What is your dog thinking? You own your dog, but he is sat on your foot and so he owns you. Is that really so? It’s a different way of thinking, but there is a way into your dog’s mind. Your family (and other animals) are part of your dog’s pack, whether you like it or not!

In the beginning

Dogs have evolved from Wolves, long long ago and still share a little of the Wolf’s instincts and drives. Wolves and dogs are instinctively pack animals. They crave a hierarchy; a social structure is needed for a stable pack, where every member knows where they are in the group; there tends to be one leader.

This is similar to our own society of people, in both broad and narrow views; we have leaders in Parliament, at our workplace and our families commonly have a ‘top dog’ too. Bullies will try to maintain or gain status in their ‘pack’ (eg at work or school) by manipulating others or engaging in combat of sorts. Many Alphas will use more gentle, subtle, means to maintain or improve their power and status; this is sometimes helped by their material wealth or their family’s social standing in society.

The Alpha role: pack leadership

An Alpha Wolf is the leader and he or she eats first, decides what is to be done and disciplines other members when they step out of line. Quite often stronger, wiser and bigger than the others in the pack, the Alpha Wolf rules the roost; other pack members are usually unwise to challenge the Alpha’s status. On the whole the subordinate pack members can appear happy to be the guided and protected underdogs, though much in-fighting to establish hierarchy in the middle-ranks has been found among the wolves (click here to learn more).

The Alpha provides direction and security for the pack. The Alpha leads and the other wolves follow by example; they are submissive to the leader, though challengers to the throne do appear. Eventually the Alpha will be usurped and a new Alpha Wolf established – often as the previous leader grows older and weaker.

In the Wolf pack, the Alpha may have to be the strongest or most skillful fighter if they are physically challenged by younger ambitious males. There is, however, no dictate that says the Alpha has to be biggest or strongest dog; it is their mental makeup that can enable them to be dominant, and a leader of others.

The Alpha in your home

All dogs look for an Alpha; if your dog doesn’t see one that is effective they may promote themselves to that role or just run amok. Major dog misbehaviour can develop, because of a lack of guidance or structure from a suitable role-model. In our pet-at-home world, it doesn’t matter to your dog that you are not actually a dog as well – all that matters is that you are part of their pack. Your entire household are part of the pack, including any other pets and children; your dog could assume control by becoming the Alpha dog in the family, rather than you. This can lead to control and behaviour problems for the dogs in your family. (Also see my later article on dog emotions – click here!)

The Alpha gets the respect, has the confidence and control – top in his society. He has the wile and charm to enforce his will – he is in charge in the dog family. In dogs, it is usually a male that is the Alpha. A female dog is usually more willing to accept a male Alpha than another male dog would be; a male and female dog relationship can be a lot less turbulent than with two male dogs together, who may regularly vie for higher status.

If you are planning to have two or more dogs, this issue may be worth thinking about; we introduced a mature male dog into an established male & female dog family with unfortunate results. The two Alpha boys fought regularly to start with (with stitches and vet’s bills) and never really established a happy hierarchy, even after several years of living together.

Training a dog

To effectively train and control a dog (or dogs) in your family, there needs to be be an Alpha person. Some dogs will automatically be submissive to you, which makes your life a bit easier; every person in your family needs to occupy a status higher than your dog. Only then will your dog respect you, follow your lead and be submissive to your requests, and to those of your family members. To your pet, the dog pack hierarchy must be clear, and be maintained.

An Alpha person is needed before dog training can be effective. Not that your dog is likely to be compliant immediately or consistently, at least to start with; they are intelligent and thinking animals, with urges and instincts of their own. House-training, obeyance of commands and generally good behaviour may be impossible to teach if your dog doesn’t see you as a leader. With no-one to look up to and follow, dog misbehaviour will follow, and they may become antisocial and uncontrollable.

To avoid a ‘car crash’ of a situation with your out-of-control dog, advice from your vet or a local dog or puppy-training school is recommended!

For some insights into differing training philosophies from WebMD – click here! House-training may in practice be easier than you fear, as instinctively your dog will try to keep their ‘den’ clean and free from defecation. This means they will try to toilet a good distance from where they sleep and eat – your house. It must, however, be easy for them to get away from the house (via a dog-flap or door), or be able to request an exit asap!

Becoming Alpha: leadership in dogs

To be your dog’s leader is a good thing, it’s usually what they want for a stable and safe life in your pack. It gives structure, predictability and security to your dog. It makes them happy to know that you have their back, that you know what to do and when to do it; they like it that you go first through doorways and narrow walkways to make sure the way is clear. In return, they will defend you when in danger, and defer to your wishes.

Your dog is content that you give them food, that there are known boundaries and rules that are enforced. It should be an understanding between you and not a battle to constantly re-fight, although reminders are often needed! Your dominance is a gentle mental one rather than a physical power; your dog will repay you with boundless love and protection in return.

Walk like a leader, act like a leader, talk like a leader. You may not feel like a leader, but your dog should be convinced! The attitude needed is that of a gentle but firm leader who is in control, no violence is needed; let there be no bullying or harsh punishments for your dog’s misbehaviours.

Every member of your family needs to toe the same line – consistent rules from everyone. Your dog is no fool, and will exploit loosely-enforced rules given a chance. Set rules and stick to them so that your dog is not confused. Being a leader also means literally leading your dog – you walk first, then your dog. You and your family are top of the hierarchy and should eat first, lead the way and set the rules.

Disobedience and space

Your leadership is an attitude, one of confidence. Look your dog in the eye when commanding; if they try to defy you, stare at them unblinking until they look away – it’s a message to them of your higher status. Gently holding your dog’s muzzle is a sign of dominance – practice this for a few seconds at a time occasionally to help establish or reinforce your higher status. Should your dog ever growl at you or your family, it should be rebuked with a loud ‘NO’. Growling at any one of your family is your dog’s challenge to their authority; ignoring that could lead to disaster. Your dog may try leveraging himself into a higher social position by dominating another member of your family!

You may have adopted an Alpha dog, who is already accustomed to being in charge. You can’t both be Alphas; it needs to be you! This problem requires you to keep an even closer eye on your social status; you need to swiftly rectify of any acts of rebellion from your dog as needed! Consistency, and clarity of your rules should be the bedrock of your dog’s training.

Disobedience such as jumping up when you’re standing can be an issue. Your response should be that of ignorance – turn away immediately and ignore your dog; the jumping up is attention-seeking and if ignored they will learn that this technique doesn’t work and will stop trying it. Jumping up can also be your dog trying to raise their status, so again – ignore!

Cuddling and stuff

Many of us share a bed with our dogs and they are nice, warm and comforting on a cool night – but your dog may end up seeing you as their equal rather than their Alpha. Research does show that dogs disturb our sleep more than if we are sleeping alone or with another person. Your space and your bed should really be sacred to you and your dog should learn this. Once they have their own sleeping space they will be happy to use that; every dog needs some me-time for themselves and sleeping in their own place is great security for them, even if it is still right next to your bed.

Letting your dog squirm onto the sofa and sitting on your lap can be their way of challenging your status. It may be an attempt to improve their own social standing compared to any others in the room; they are occupying your high-status space and claiming it for their own. Beware! Your dog is cunning and wily; consider what this sofa-ploy means if they are not so obedient to your commands after a while! Your space is sacred, however cute or small and cuddly your dog may be. However, it could also be great fun and a super comfort for your dog to cuddle up on the sofa and just have some great quality time with you!

Winning at tug-of-war is another way of gaining status for your dog – it should be fun, but you should normally win! So they say. Most of the time anyway.

Grooming and petting

Handling your dog, stroking and grooming can lead to a great bond between you, and be enjoyable for both. Oxytocin hormones (and other pleasant chemicals) are released in both you and your dog when stroking or touching at all – a happy feeling for both. Even looking at a dog can raise these happy hormone levels!

When your dog lets you groom them and roll them over, play with their muzzle and tickle them on the belly they are accepting you as their Alpha, at least for a while. Letting you do these things is your dog’s way of submitting to you, of demonstrating trust in you. It’s also a great way to tidy their fur up and spot any health problems (ticks, cuts etc). Let your dog come to you for petting – if you approach them and kneel down, however, this may be seen as a submissive posture by your dog.

By the way, your dog sitting or lying on your feet is not necessarily a sign of ownership as suggested at the top of the page. It just may be a sign of submissiveness or of feeling secure knowing that you are there. Or, it could instead be that your feet are nice and warm. Enjoy your furry friend; they are there for you, for life!