Dog Training: Understanding The Alpha Dog Training Method

One of the things most pet owners are reluctant to do is to properly dominate their dogs. They want to treat their dogs like equals, as though they are part of the family. But the truth about dogs is that they do not want to be equals. They want to know their place.

As pack animals, each dog has a pecking order – a dominance hierarchy where each dog fits somewhere down the line of “who is the boss.” One dog is the leader of all the dogs (often referred to as “alpha”), another is second in command, and so on, much like a military system. Because this order is part of a dog’s natural behavior, dogs expect this system of governance even as pets. A failed system, where a dog does not know its place (whether it is supposed to be the dominant or submissive member of the group) makes dog’s nervous and uncomfortable.

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Understanding Dog Separation Anxiety

Dogs are pack animals. They want to be with other dogs, lead by their owner or alpha dog, and they feel safe and secure with their pack around. So when you leave every day to go to work, to the movies, or even a quick trip to the store, your dog will get anxious in your absence, as being alone makes them feel uncomfortable.

Your dog’s anxiety works like a clock. Each minute you are absent, a little bit more anxiety starts to build. Depending on your breed of dog, this anxiety builds faster or slower, but all dogs feel it. Some dogs can last an entire day without experiencing too much anxiety, while others – especially the very loyal and friendly breeds – can become incredibly nervous and jittery in as little as a few hour or less.

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