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Undomesticated dogs live together in dog packs. Only one dog is the leader within the pack. In your home your dog considers your family to be his pack. Dogs have a natural instinct to be the pack leader. If you do not assume a leadership role your dog will try to take on the role of the alpha dog or pack leader.

All the chief decisions, for the pack, are made by the alpha dog. The alpha dog is the focus of attention for the dogs in the pack. The role as the leader of the pack is constantly protected by the alpha dog. Under normal conditions the lead dog will never give up his position willingly.

Is there a definite understanding of who the alpha dog is in your household? If you don't assume a leadership role your dog will try to establish himself as the leader . An alpha dog can be either male or female, gender does not matter.. Male dogs are often the alpha leader because females, of the same breed, are usually smaller. A female dog will take on the role of alpha dog if you do not assume the leadership role. If your dog takes on the role of the alpha dog leader life within your family can become extremely difficult.

For information on how to train your dog, and establish yourself as the alpah leader take a look at: Dog Obedience Training Guide

When your dog feels that he is the alpha dog within your family he will exhibit bad or destructive behavior. Pulling on a leash, chasing, and aggression are all examples of a dog feeling he is the alpha dog leader in his sphere of influence.

Confusion as to who the alpha dog is, in your family, leads your dog to think of himself as your equal. You as a dog owner must exude the qualities of the alpha dog leader at all times. You demonstrate alpha qualities by your tone of voice, body language and an air of confidence. The alpha dog leader must be comfortable with the role as leader.

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It is through small deliberate acts that the alpha dog maintains his dominance. One of these small acts is that the alpha leader is the first dog, in the pack, to eat. This could mean that there is little left to eat when it is the pack's turn to eat. The alpha dog does not go around the pack, he will show his dominance by nudging his way through the pack. The alpha dog controls everything within the pack's realm of influence.

Why is the role of the alpha dog within a dog pack necessary to understand? Why should you be concerned with the dog pack hierarchy within your own family? There is a simple answer to that question. Being the alpha dog leader does not and should not require the use of force or being abusive in any way, physically or verbally. Your dog will look to you as the alpha dog leader as you emulate the qualities of an alpha dog.

The best time to establish yourself as the alpha dog is with a puppy. It is especially difficult with an adult dog if the dog has been its own alpha dog leader. Maintaining your role as the alpha leader is something you must continually work at, even with a puppy. Being an alpha dog requires a twenty-four hour commitment.

I hope you have learned something from this article.  I also have a review of another great guide you might want to check out here: How Your Family will Benefit from Clicker Training

Who said aggressive dog behavior is only found in big dogs?  Little dogs are sometimes a lot more aggressive because they can get away with it.  I have two little dogs, two dachshunds, and one of them, I hate to say, used to embarrass me a lot. 

I love my dogs dearly, no less because she was aggressive and crazy, but it scared me that she could get hurt or hurt another dog.  She mainly didn’t like other dogs too much and would growl and want to fight with them when they came close.  It made me nervous and I was always having to pull her leash really tight so she could not get the other dogs, even in passing them on the sidewalk.

Not only that, but she would pick on a lot bigger dogs too.  I knew if I didn’t put an end to her aggressive dog behavior she was going to get me and her in trouble. 

One day while we were at the park playing fetch another dog suddenly came up to her.  I knew this could be trouble, because she was very possessive of her ball and would not share it or let another dog near it.  But I had no time to get close before she started attacking the other dog. 

Well by the time I got to her and was able to separate them she was hurt, and bleeding all over.  Even though she started the fight and it was her fault, it broke my heart.  I know I never want to see that kind of scene again.

So I decided I had to put an end to her aggressive dog behavior right then and there.  I had to find a way to train her.  I did not want to pay a dog trainer.  That was out of the question.

I started trying to do the things that I thought would work, like give her commands and reward her with treats.  But I needed more help, as this was only working when I had the treats, and not all the time.  I needed a much deeper understanding of how to train a dog.  I needed some insider information from professionals.

So I finally found a system that really worked and helped me understand what I needed to do so I could help myself and then help her with her aggressive dog behavior.  She is really so much better.  I wouldn’t say she is a totally submissive dog, but a far cry from where she was.  She still pulls on the leash some, but not as much.  And, she doesn’t try to fight other dogs anymore, which was my main concern. 

I heartily recommend the #1 system for stopping aggressive dog behavior.

This dog training system will give you insights to every aspect of training your dog.  It will help you see through your dog’s eyes and understand what they think.

Aggressive dog behavior should be taken very seriously.  We all know what an aggressive dog can do.  He can get into a lot of trouble and get you into a very troubling situation.  Besides getting you into a legal mess, he can cause you a lot of stress and embarrassment with his unacceptable behavior.

Aggressive behavior manifests in many ways.  Of course, biting and growling at people or other dogs is the most obvious.  But you should always be aware of different kinds of dog behavior that are sometimes overlooked and can get out of control.

Aggressive dog behavior includes:

1. Walking ahead of you on a leash, or going in and out doors ahead of you.
2. Being demanding, whether whining or barking, to get your attention.
3. Being stubborn and willful, and not listening to your commands.
4. Jumping or putting their paws on people.
5. Pushing you to pet them or play with them by nudging you.

Aggressive dog behavior does not happen overnight, so you should watch out for signs of developing dominant behavior.  Also, all aggressive dogs do not exhibit biting and growling, but they may have one of the other signs of dominant behavior. 

Dogs know that they depend on humans for their survival.  They are fed and taken care of by humans.  However, when they know they can get their way by being demanding, they will think of themselves as the leader.  Since we cannot allow dogs to be the leader and let them exhibit all kinds of dominant behavior, such as biting, we need to nip this aggressive dog behavior before it has a chance to develop into more serious aggression.

You can hire a dog trainer to work with your dog.  However, this can be very expensive.  Also, dog training is as much training for the owner as it is for the dog.  The owner needs to be the alpha dog, so you both need to be trained.  You need to learn how to become the leader, and how to show your dog that from now on you are in charge.

Let’s face it, aggressive dog behavior can be very stressful and embarrassing at best, and very dangerous at worst.  You love your dog, and it would be awful if he did something irretrievable that could have grave consequences.

Learn how to stop your dog’s aggressive behavior with the #1 dog training method which has helped thousands regain control of their dog.  Everything you need to know to address aggressive dog behavior and become a leader.

Aggressive dog behavior can be seen in many places.  At the dog park, many times some dogs will start fighting and it can be hard to separate them.  It is usually the same dogs that like to fight, because they are aggressive dogs. 

Aggressiveness in dogs should not be tolerated.  It can be very stressful and embarrassing to have an aggressive dog, to say the least.  It can also be very dangerous.  A big dog with aggressive tendencies can seriously hurt someone.  Even small dogs can cause injuries, especially to children.

If your dog shows signs of aggression, treat this as soon as possible.  Don’t think that you will be able to stop him if he should snap and start attacking another dog or even a person.  I have seen an aggressive dog who had never bitten anyone and one day he went crazy and killed another dog who lived in the same house.  My friend who was his owner was not able to stop him at all.  In fact, she got bitten too.

But aggressive dog behavior does not happen overnight.  There are many ways that dogs express aggression, which you can watch out for and stop these behaviors from becoming worse.  Some signs of  aggressive dog behavior are being demanding, barking and growling, fighting with other dogs when you take them out, dragging you on the leash, nudging you with their nose to get something, and many others signs.  In other words, they have become the leader of the pack and they dominate.

In order to have a well adjusted dog that you can really enjoy, you need to get help.  So what are your options?  You could hire a trainer, but it is expensive.  Besides, the trainer will only train the dog.  The fact is that you need as much training as your dog, in order to take over and become the leader.

Stop your dog’s aggressive behavior before it gets worse, or before there is a regrettable accident.  Don’t be embarrassed or frustrated anymore with your dog’s behavior.  Have the kind of relationship that you have dreamed of with your dog.  Become the leader of the pack.

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This method is guaranteed to help you and your dog with his aggressive dog behavior.

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It is important for you to quickly establish your position as the Alpha dog in your relationship with your puppy or your dog, to create the confidence and trust your pet will need in you, so you can have the best possible relationship with each other. After your puppy has acknowledged you as his “pack leader”, controlling behavior problems that may come up, and obedience training  your puppy will be much easier-because your puppy will want to do what he thinks will make you happy.

Because dogs have a pack society, they usually learn proper behavior from the interaction they have with the other puppies and their Mama. Once you have adopted a puppy, you are now the alpha dog of his pack. Your puppy will need the guidance of you and your family so he can learn exactly where he fits in the hierarchy of your family an grow up to become a great addition to the family.

You must avoid the usual mistake of acting like your puppy was human, in order to communicate and train it in a way an alpha leader would. The problem is that these kinds of mistakes end up confusing your dog, and a confused at times tries to assert his own dominance-maybe even by growling or snapping at its human family. You can avoid problems like these, by demonstrating to your puppy who is the boss and letting him know he has to listen to the alpha leader. In the case of a puppy that is already snapping or growling at you or your family, he needs to learn his place right away, before he nips somebody.

Naturally, training a puppy to be submissive is easier to do than if you are working with an older dog. Therefore it is to your advantage to become the alpha dog right away with your puppy.

It is quite common to see little puppies playing quite roughly and even chasing after people, as they try to learn their relationships with their new pack. As the alpha leader, it is your responsibility to control your puppy if he is over zealous and too aggressive, to discourage him from future aggressive tendencies towards people.To be your puppy’s alpha leader, you don’t need to act harsh to your puppy-just show him the right kind of guidance.

There are a few simple tricks you can use to demonstrate to your puppy who the alpha dog is. Use these exercises to show your dog you are in charge.

• One way to show your puppy who is dominant to is by holding him still and staring directly into his eyes until he calms down and completely relaxes. His relaxation is a sign that he recognizes your dominance.
• You can also show your dominance to your puppy by holding him upside down across your lap-supporting his head and back. Just like before, keep him in this position until he has become calm and submissive.
• Pushing the puppy down to the floor on his side, you can hold him down by putting one hand on his neck and one across his stomach. In case your puppy tries to squirm, you should hold him still until he relaxes and becomes submissive.
• In addition to hold the puppy, you can also add a growl and show your teeth in a snarl to demonstrate how serious you are-just like Mama dog.

Be sure to repeat these simple exercises regularly with your puppy when he is aggressive, until he has learned to recognize you as the dominant member of the pack, and is readily submissive to you without any fussing or struggling. By always treating your puppy fairly and consistently you will earn his respect and trust, and thus your place as the alpha dog. After you have established yourself as the Alpha leader of your pack, your puppy will be well balanced and well behaved and a joy to take anywhere with you.

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Being descendants of pack animals, dogs have needed to find a way to determine leadership within their packs. You have probably seen many examples of pack behavior watching TV.The puppies learn their place in the pack and avoid causing problems that are disruptive to the pack.

Every pack will have its own alpha dog. After your puppy or dog moves in with you, your home is now their “den” and your family is  now their new “pack”. So, it becomes up to you to assume the role of pack leader-the Alpha dog-and teach your dog the rules and guidelines he must follow to get along with his new “pack”. As the alpha dog you will teach you dog his place within the family, to be sure he respects all of you as superior to him.

Although it is much simpler to teach a puppy to be submissive, an older dog can also be taught that you are the alpha dog, not him. You’ll find that just by being consistent with some basic obedience training exercises you can establish yourself as the alpha dog.

You don’t have to be aggressive in order to demonstrate that you are the alpha leader to your dog. You just need to have the right confident attitude that shows your dog you are in control. You can consistently show him that you are the one in charge without  the need for yelling or hitting . Those types of negative actions will confuse your dog and hurt your attempts to establish the trust and confidence you need to get your dog to listen to you. Be consistent with your training, staying positive, and earn his respect and trust-this will make you the alpha dog much better than any negative actions will.

Obedience training your dog on a regular basis is the way to get started becoming the alpha dog.During the course of the day, repeat some of the basic training exercise (sit, stay, etc) each time you interact with your dog. through the consistent application of the training you dog will recognize as you being in charge-the alpha dog. Try these useful positive training techniques that help you become the alpha dog, without any need to ever act unfriendly towards your dog.

• Tell your dog to sit down and make him wait a little bit in that position, perhaps 30 seconds, before giving him his dinner bowl. If he sees you are in control of his food, he has to acknowledge your superior position in the pack. Make him wait until he is calm before offering him the food as positive reinforcement that he has behaved properly. If you do this each time you feed your dog, you are really reinforcing who is the alpha dog, and also helping him develop good manners at dinnertime.
• Every time you walk through the door to go outside, make your dog sit and wait until you invite him to pass through the door. By reminding him often of your alpha status,  he will learn to look toward you for guidance as a matter of course.
• A similar exercise can be done when you are on a walk with your dog and want to cross the street. Don’t let your dog step off the curb into the street until he has first sat and waited at the curb. Besides reinforcing your alpha position, this training also serves to teach your dog not to run out into traffic.

As long as you are consistent with the positive obedience training, it shouldn’t take very long to earn your dog’s respect as its pack leader, and get your dog to behave his best.

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There are some basic tenants to dog psychology and we are going to take a look at them here. Understanding your dog’s pysche can take some time an effort on your part, but will be well worth it when you are engaging in training him.

Dog psychology is learning to understand why a dog behaves and acts the way that he does. Even though the dog is a descendant of the wolf , he has adapted quite well to our human social organization.

Dogs have learned to live with and obey humans through successful training. When you and your dog build a trusting bond, there is a cooperation that is established: the dog behaves well and he will be rewarded.

The importance of understanding how wolves live plays a large part in understanding dog psychology. Wolves live in the wild in packs of two or more.The dictatorship system that the males and females use is strictly defined.

The leader or “alpha leader” of this system is almost always the biggest male in the pack.All of the other wolves in the pack folllow the alpha leader eagerly and with the utmost respect.

Wolves were able to adapt domestically with man thousands of years ago because of the similar social organization and instinctive mental or pyschological structure. When it comes to dividing duties like feeding, some wolves track the animal, one stands guard, and one makes the attack.After the alpha leader feeds first and is satisfied he will allow the other members of the pack to finish his “leftovers”.

When you introduce a dog to your household, he sees the family as a pack and all the members contribute to the hierarchal system.In order to figure out how he fits into this new system and who the alpha leader is, your dog will be watching everyone closely.

Who the leader is in the house will depend on their physical size and the tone of their voice; your dog will watch for these clues.Throughout the day your dog will also watch how everyone interacts with one another.

It is essential to establish yourself (or another responsible adult in your household) as the alpha leader.The sooner this is established, the fewer behavioral problems you will see.

You must also have a clear understanding that your dog is at the bottom of your family’s hierarchal system.

Your dog instinctually will put himself in charge if he sees that there is no heirarchy in place. This is when a lot of dogs can become overly dominant and destructive. Including your children-your dog should be subordinate to everyone in the household-and that should be obvious to your dog.

Because of their small size and their dependency on adults, it is sometimes difficult for a dog to understand that he is lower ranked than children. Dogs can sometimes become very aggressive towards children for this reason and might even bite on occasion.

You can help your dog realize that his position is subordinate to every other family member through disciplined training.To help you in this process you need good quality dog training resources.

Remember, training does take time and effort, but it is definately worth it!

All the best with the process of training your dog.

Darcy Austin is editor in chief of Dog Obedience University, a comprehensive resource on dog obedience training.