Petting and attention:

Alpha dogs are used to being fussed over. In a real dog pack, subordinate dogs are forever touching, licking and grooming the alpha dog. It's a show of respect and submission. For now, until his attitude has shown improvement, cut down on the amount of cuddling your dog gets. When he wants attention, make him SIT first, give him a few kind words and pats, and then stop. Go back to whatever it was you were doing and ignore him. If he pesters you, ignore him. Ignoring him means, don’t speak to him, don’t look at him, and don’t touch him. FOLD your arms, look away and if you must, WALK AWAY. When he finally accepts that you are not going to pet him and lies down or walks away, call him back to you for petting 75% of the time. This time it is on your terms, not his. Remember; pet him when you want to, not just because he wants you to. Also, for the time being, don't get down on the floor or on your knees to pet your dog. That too, is a show of submission.

Games:

If you or anyone in your family wrestles, roughhouses or plays tug of war with your dog, stop! These games encourage dogs to dominate people physically while use their teeth. In a dog pack or in a litter, these games are more than just playing - they help to establish pack order based on physical strength. Your dog is already probably stronger and quicker than you are. Rough, physical games reinforce that fact to him. He doesn't need to be reminded of it! Find new games for him to play. Hide & seek and fetch are more appropriate and much less harmful. Make sure you're the one who starts and ends the game, so stop playing before your dog gets bored or tired. When he is tired or bored he may be more inclined to become possessive of the toy. If he does try to keep the toy and you can’t get it from him without chasing or fighting with him, leave the toy and WALK AWAY. If your dog is secured in a fenced area, leave him too. The game is over. If he is not going to play by your rules, he’s not going to play.

Where does your dog sleep?

Not in your bedroom and especially not on your bed! Your bedroom is a special place - it's your "den". An alpha dog thinks he has a right to sleep in your den because he considers himself your equal. In fact, he may have already taken over your bed, refusing to get off when told or growling and snapping when anyone asks him to make room for the humans. Until his problems are fully under control, the bed and all furniture should be off-limits! If you can't keep him off the couch without a fight, deny him access to the room until his behavior and training has improved.

Crate-training:

Dog crates have 1,000 uses and using it with an alpha dog is but one of them. The crate is going to be your dog's "den". Start crate training by feeding him his dinner in his crate. Close the door and let him stay there for a little while after eating. If he throws a tantrum, ignore him. Don't let your dog out of his crate until he's quiet and settled. Throughout the day, show him an irresistible goodie, tell him to SIT and when he does, throw the goodie into the crate and tell him, “Kennel up”. When he dives in for the treat, tell him what a good boy he is and close the door. Vary the time frame he is in his crate. Sometime shut the crate door behind him, sometimes, don’t. Put him in the crate while you are home, as well as when you are gone. Perhaps occasionally while watching some TV you could have the crate in the room with you and he can be kennel inside. He is with you but not on top of you. By doing this he learns that the crate is an every day thing, not something he is pushed into when his PACK is leaving. Remember, dogs are pack animals and you are part of their pack, thus they want to be with you. If he is put in the crate only when you are leaving, he will acquire serious anxiety over the dog crate.

Graduating from Boot Camp: What's next?

Just like in the army, boot camp is really just an introduction to a new career and new way of doing things. A tour through boot camp isn't going to solve your dog's problems forever. It's a way to get basic respect from a dog that's been bullying you without having to resort to physical force. How long should boot camp last? That depends on the dog. Some will show an improvement quickly, others may take much longer. For natural leaders, ones who need constant reminders of their place in the pack, Alpha Dog Boot Camp will become a way of life. Social climbers may need periodic trips through boot camp if you get lax and accidentally let them climb back up a notch or two in the family pack order.

How do you know if you're making a difference?

If boot camp has been successful, your dog should start looking to you for directions and permission. He'll show an eagerness to please. Watch how your dog approaches and greets you. Does he come to you "standing tall", with his head and ears held high and erect? A dog who accepts humans as superiors will approach you with his head slightly lowered and his ears back or off to the side. He may even "shrink" his whole body a little (not cowered) in a show of submission. Watch how he greets all the members of the family. If he displays this submissive posture to some of them, but not others, they may need to take him back through another tour of boot camp with support and guidance from you.

A final word about obedience training:

All dogs need to be trained and alpha dogs need training most of all! You don't have to wait until he's through with boot camp to start this training. Obedience classes teach you to train your dog. It reminds you how to be an alpha, how to enforce commands and rules, how to get respect and to keep it and how to be a clear and effective communicator with your dog. All family members who are old enough to understand and control the family dog should participate in the class whenever possible. Obedience training is a lifelong process. One obedience class does not a trained dog make! Obedience commands need to be practiced and incorporated into your daily life.

A well-trained obedient dog is a happy dog and a joy to live with. Dogs want to please and need jobs to do. Training gives them the opportunity to do both. A well-trained dog has more freedom. He can go more places and do more things with you because he knows how to behave. A well trained dog that's secure in his place within the family pack is comfortable and confident. He knows what's expected of him. He knows his limits and who his leaders are. He's free from the responsibility of running the household and making decisions. He's free to be your loving companion, NOT your boss. He's free to be a dog - what he was born to be and what he wanted to be in the first place!