17 Alpha Dog Secrets ‘Snoopy’ Never Gave a Flying Crap About
17 Alpha Dog Secrets ‘Snoopy’ Never Gave a Flying Crap About begins its tail tail right-chere“. To be as honest as Snoopy was true to his own Red-Baron-like style of flying… It is also true that becoming the Alpha Dog is not only super important to establish, but a necessary leadership for you to acquire from the get go. So Let’s Get Going on it shall we?
Steps to Take to Becoming – The Alpha Dog of Your Pack
-and YES, (even if its just the one tiny little puppy:) Awe.
There are many steps to achieve the alpha status, and they consist more of mental attitude and body language rather than taking physical action. Always remember that physical punishment is not your ally but instead works against you by breeding fear, resentment, and a lack of trust between you and your dog. Being the alpha is for both of your benefits. Giving your dog a strong leader to follow makes his assimilation into your family easier and makes your life together harmonious.
The list of
17 Alpha Dog Secrets ‘Snoopy’ Never Gave a Flying Crap About Begins.. (du-du-du-dunnnnnnnn)
Before continuing, it is essential that your dog has had prior training in the basic dog commands, such as “Sit,” “Come,” and “Stay,” before implementing these following steps. You becoming the alpha begins when you bring your dog home. In many cases, these basics have not yet been taught and should be considered training while you are showing your alpha guidance.
These commands are the foundation and essential fundamentals in support of you becoming the pack leader. If you own a puppy, training should begin straight away. If the dog is older, these commands may need to be re-trained. Please note that if you have a new puppy, “name recognition” is usually the first thing to train.
1. Walking Tall:
Your body language and physical expressions should exhibit confidence and composure. Remember to maintain good posture when walking and be aware of your use of gestures and facial expressions. Always maintain a higher physical position to your dog. At all times use a commanding voice when administering directions to your dog. Command your dog what to do, you are not asking but telling him what to do, so never beg your dog for a command to be completed. It is important to be consistent in your behavior, and never let your dog sense that you are unsure. Continuity is essential, so remain in your alpha role at all times.
2. Eye Contact:
Establish eye contact with your dog and look straight at him when you are issuing a command. Do not leave room for uncertainty. Make sure that your dog senses that you are serious and should obey. No matter the dog’s size, keep the eye contact. Before issuing a command, you must establish effective eye contact by first getting their attention by calling their name.
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Once you have captured their attention, you must follow up with a direct and fixed gaze into their eyes. Be steadfast and do not let your dog look away or defy you. Maintain your stare until he or she lowers their gaze. Your unflinching eye contact and consistent behaviors will assist your dog in sensing his or her place in the hierarchy of the family unit (pack).
3. Muzzle Control:
When you are handling your dog, you can use your hand to cover and hold onto their muzzle. This dominant action can be used in conjunction with the praising and loving of your dog. This is a control technique and is not used as a punishment. Please be gentle and brief when applying muzzle control.It is of the utmost importance to keep your dog from biting anyone, regardless of the activity. Additionally, do not allow your dog to use his or her open mouth on anyone.
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4. Indifference:
If your dog enjoys meeting you at your doorway when you come home and sometimes jumps up on you or barks, simply act indifferent by ignoring them until you are ready to engage. Continue ignoring your dog until they cease the unwanted behaviors. Refrain from any vocal, physical and sight actions directed at your dog. Always ignore your dog when he or she is acting in an annoying or unwanted way.
If they have not yet learned to obey the command to “stop,” or is too excited to obey, use the ignoring action. Act unaffected and not agitated until the dog stops. This avoids your command being disobeyed. Guests should never be greeted first by your dog. Humans should always be the first to greet any new comers to your house. Afterwards you can choose to let your dog greet or not greet.
5. Tight Schedule:
Remain consistent at all times, in all things that pertain to your dog. Follow a strict schedule that establishes meal times, walks, exercise/play, bathroom breaks, training sessions, and nap/sleep times. Time continuity and routine will help your dog feel more secure and can help you in successful house breaking. By making your dog obedient to a schedule that dictates his or her routine, your dog will want to please you by following that schedule. A schedule also shows your dog that you are reliable and consistent in the care they are receiving.
6. Get off My Cloud:
Mick and the Stones sang it and you need to establish your territory as being off limits to your dog. When your dog is a puppy, make it clear that they are not allowed up on your bed. If the dog and you want to sleep close then his or her place is below your bed, in their bed. Use the “Off” command to keep your puppy and adult dog clear of your bed. If you allow your dog to use any space that is private, then you will undermine your authority. If you allow them to sleep in your bed or snuggle on your couch, then they will perceive themselves as equals and free to use your private spaces at will.
7. Establish Rank, Then Train:
Establishing alpha rank is paramount to the relationship with your dog, and it is essential in the training and life of your dog. If your dog has not accepted you as the Alpha Dog Leader, then obedience training will be difficult. When you first bring your dog home, teach a basic command such as “Sit,” and then you can begin to establish yourself as the alpha.
The first few days after you bring your puppy home, it is important to begin to establish the household routine for everything. Don’t forget that you want your puppy to adore and trust you, so show him or her plenty of love and affection. If your dog begins to trail you around the house, then you are well on your way to being his or her alpha, and you can begin training sessions. Always train with a leash. The leash keeps you in control.
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8. Growling is Never Allowed:
Dogs do not growl at humans. Never allow your dog to challenge you or anyone else by growling, and do not be intimidated by this action. Immediately handle any growling with a firm
“No,” coupled with a hand command of your choosing. It is essential to train your dog to understand and obey the “No” command early in his or her life. Whatever the circumstance, do not allow your puppy to growl at anyone. If your dog is in your arms or on the ground, reprimand him while he is down on the ground and let him know growling will not be tolerated. Be sure that you and your family are not threatened or intimidated by growling.
9. Always, Alpha First:
Humans should always be first. They should be the first through doorways, the leader on walks, the first to eat, and first at anything, you can think of. When you are passing through a doorway, be sure to hold your dog back if they are rushing to get ahead of you. Use your leash or your body, if necessary, to hold him back. You do not need to issue a command when restraining your dog, simply hold him back behind you when entering or exiting a doorway.
If your dog manages to get in front of you, then physically move them out of the way. When humans pass through a threshold or doorway, use your command of “Stay” to keep them in place and then release them or use the command of “Come” or “Ok,” after the humans have passed through the opening. These commands are merely suggestions.
Do not move around or step over your dog if they are blocking your way. The dog must be submissive to you and move to clear the way for you to walk. For example, if you are walking down a hallway or in kitchen area and you encounter your dog under foot, remember that the dog moves, not you. Stop and make sure your dog moves aside so that you can proceed.
10. Love, Do Not Spoil:
Love but do not spoil your new puppy or dog. If you do not remain firm and consistent in commands and actions you will fail to remain in control, and there is a chance of losing your dog’s respect. Additionally, you do not want to end up with a dog that is frightened of other dogs and humans, so do not over-protect your dog. Socialize properly and thoroughly from puppyhood straight through the remainder of life.
11. Hey, That is Mine:
All commands of ownership need to be taught. “Drop it” and “Leave it” are two examples where a dog must leave an object alone upon your command, and of course, the all-powerful “No” can be employed, as well. Toys, food, or whatever, should remain in human ownership. You should be able to confiscate any item, including food items from a dog without a growl or aggressive behavior.
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12. How Much and When to Pet and Coddle:
At times, when and how to show affection and love to your new puppy or dog, can be confusing. There is nothing wrong with patting, petting, and cuddling your dog, but there are some guidelines that should be followed. Inside the pack the lower ranking dogs pamper the alpha, so beware of over doing the physical cuddling, because it is a sign of subordination. Like it or not, you can undermine your own alpha status with too much cuddling and love.
A good way to show love and affection is to issue commands that are obeyed before offering. Do not allow your dog to nudge you for affection, if he or she does, completely ignore them. Command, “Sit” and after compliance, pat, pet, praise. Remember to show affection on your terms, not your dog’s, and remain physically above their head at all times. For example, your dog comes walking up all happy and sappy, do not immediately squat down or take a seat and begin petting and offering your affection, instead issue the command, “Sit,” then after your dog sits you can show your love.
13. Proper Handling:
Handling a puppy can be easier than an older dog. When you first get your puppy, get them used to being touched over their entire body. Roll your puppy over, rub his belly, feel his face, stick your finger in his mouth to feel teeth and gum, and handle his feet and tail. Having your puppy or dog conditioned to this touch establishes you as alpha, but importantly it allows you to groom and inspect your dog without any uneasiness or fear on their part. These actions are also bonding actions that show you care.
Your older dog may not take kindly to the intrusions of touch if they have not previously experienced this type of handling. Go slowly and gradually increase your handling until your puppy or adult dog is used to it. They should trust you as the Número Uno, kind loving person that you are.
14. Everyone Gets R E S P E C T:
If your dog cannot overtake the alpha position from you, sometimes the dog will try to dominate other family members. Because of this potential, it is important that the entire family is capable of issuing the “Sit,” “No” and “Come” commands, and that they receive obedience from your dog. If there is a power struggle with your dog and a family member, then have the family member take turns with the feeding and walking routines. This will show your dog that your family (humans) is also in control and are superior in ranking. Your family will need to be instructed on issuing commands that require obedience from your dog. Do not tolerate any insurrection toward your family and friends.
15. Sorry, NO Roughhousing:
Wrestling, grappling and roughhousing is outlawed in your house. Children and adults must refrain from contests of strength with dogs. If they are engaged, dogs will try their hardest to win, and if they do, they will think themselves the victor and that they have wrestled the alpha crown from your head. If this happens with children, it can have some negative outcomes. You certainly do not want your dog to go around bullying your children. Explain to your family and friends that physical grappling with your dogs is off limits. You are not on a movie set where there are no consequences. Common sense can be used here because casual playing involves some grappling.
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16. Fight Any Challengers:
Unwittingly, you have brought your cute little puppy home only to find out that he is an alpha. Alpha dogs make great companions. Alphas tend to be smarter, and once they have accepted you as the alpha, they are easier to train. You may notice that he does not listen to your commands, enjoys hopping up onto your bed and couches, and tries to enter doorways in front of you. Do not panic. What you have is a challenger on your hands, so keep your wits about you and enforce your will over his. As mentioned above, feed him and walk him on your schedule, and enforce the “you first rule” through doorways and in all other things. Stay firm, calm, confident, consistent, and enforce the rules, eventually you shall prevail, ending with you as the owner of a tremendous dog.
17. Keep a Keen Eye Out for Silent Takeovers:
Crafty, sneaky, dogs can sometimes gradually nudge you out of your alpha position without your realizing it. Be on guard for signs and symptoms that your pal is gradually pushing the boundaries and taking advantage when possible. For example, you find your dog is more often on your bed and couch, and is trying to change schedules to suite him. If you remain alert you will not lose control, and it is a lot easier to keep it than to win it back.
Ding, ding -ding – ding – ding – dinnnnnnnnnnng! …
18. Bonus Alpha Dog Secrets!