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If You Own Two Dogs, Can You Control Who's The Alpha Dog?-Part2

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...... You can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega dog (the most submissive one) by both dogs.

However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other.

This is a topic I've written about in past issues of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your benefit:

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A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We determine who will be the alpha dog.'
Correct' "

My reply:

"No, no no!

You cannot do this! It's impossible!!!

The dogs' temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine if you're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you cannot work it out for them.

You can control the dogs' behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you:

-are the alpha dog in the pack. and you have voice control.

But as soon as you leave the dogs together-- unsupervised-- and go out for dinner... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.

Think of taking a group of four kids.

Kid#1 will grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral.
Kid#2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid#3 will grow up to be a middle management executive for a large firm.
Kid#4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist.

Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may say, "Kid#4... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid#4 may get the privileges of being the "so-called" top dog.

But as soon as you leave...

It's going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to be the bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "top dog." Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest kid who will become the group leader.

Even though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he will test kid#1... but will ultimately lose... as kid#1 is too tough.

Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2 becomes the new kid#1.

In other words, the "Alpha dog."

Until you get home. Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog.

Get it'

Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... it doesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds just like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the dogs in person it's impossible to tell for sure.

To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below):
Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

About the Author

Author, 'Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!' which you can read more about at:

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Dogs have been bred for the purposes of hunting with humans for centuries. Whether hunting for food or sport, various breeds of dog .....
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

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