"Dominance, Pack Order,
And Being The Alpha"

Pack rank is often something misunderstood by dog owners, both involving their rank and the rank of their dogs in multi dog households.  Problems will almost always occur when well-meaning people allow their own dog to dominate them or by feeling sorry for the omega dog (lowest ranking) in a multi-dog home.  They may unknowingly begin treating it as an "alpha" by giving it extra attention, thus creating vicious jealousy in the out ranking pack members and possibly causing dog fights in the process.

In the dog world, one is either a follower or a leader.  A dog's instinct is to find out where he stands in the hierarchy and to look for ways to move up a notch.  This instinct is stronger in some dogs more than in other dogs.  Puppy testing is an excellent way to help match prospective owner and puppy to help ensure a long future together.  Too many times, an overly dominant dog can be matched with an owner that does not understand how to control a dog such as this or is physically incapable such as an elderly, handicapped or very young owner.

"Puppy Aptitude Test"

"FAQs About Selecting A Working Dog Puppy"

The Human/Canine Relationship:

German Shepherds Dogs are one of the breeds that are very easy to train due to their willing to please attitude and intelligence, but they also need an owner who will take charge.  If the GSD sees no one in charge, he/she will do so for you.  Therefore, any owner of a GSD (and many other breeds) must understand how to create their own dominance without being heavy handed to one's dog.

Inconsistent messages from you wil encourage pack behavior.  Dominance tension builds up when the owner is in charge one day but less the next.  Expecting your dog to sit on command one day and not an other is an example.  Allowing your dog on the couch one day and not the next day is another example.  Inconsistency will signal to the dog that you can be challenged.  And do not take your dog's behavior personally.   Remember that he is programmed this way and is acting instinctively.

• Act like the wolf leader.   For example, control the food and water.  Feed your dog AFTER you have fininshed eating.  Wait until your dog is sitting obediently before you attach the leash and take him for a walk.   Practice the NILIF rules.  Teach him that he must respect you to achieve his desires.

• Body language cues you can give to make yourself alpha and cues that will eventually come naturally with practice and understanding:
  
  Make yourself look big like putting your hands on your hips,
  bending forward from your waist toward the dog, squaring your
  shoulders.  Use low, deep, warning tones of voice and a cold stare.  Also, stand erect and confident.  Think schoolmarm.  Think authority.  Think confidence.
  
  You can express dominance affectionately by leaning over or
  straddling the dog,  hugging him around the neck,  and murmuring in his ear.   A good correction technique, much like his own mother would do, is to grab the scruff of the neck and give it a little shake.  Alpha Roll-Overs are not suggested unless under the guidance of a professional in specific situations.

Obedience training can be fun for you and the dog, and teach him that you are the alpha.   Sometimes in the case of strong dogs and weaker handlers, a prong (also called pinch) collar is a handy tool.  With a prong collar, you don't have to do a correction pop--a slow, steady pull back on the leash will get the dog's attention and it takes less strength to control the dog. 

"Dog Owner's Guide - The Prong Collar"

"Prong Collar Information"

Some handlers and assistance dog trainers are turning to the Halti type or Gentle Leader collar which is much like a horse's head harness.  This is with the belief that the dog will follow where his head is directed or goes.  However, there is some question on proper usage and chiropractic problems in the dog.   Like all collars, care must be taken when using it and the owner should learn how to properly use the collar.

Owners can sometimes be confused about how much correction to give.  Being too soft signals to your dog that he can trot all over you.  Being too harsh or over correcting can cause the dog to become very cautious around you and not be as self assured.

Most importantly, instead of trying to figure out how to correct a dominant dog trying to take control, one should spend more time figuring out how to get his attention.    An attention exercise is one way to do this.  A good obedience instructor will teach this in an obedience class.   The idea is to get the dog to look you in the eyes on command until you release him.  I have trained my dogs in the past to do this by moving a treat up toward my eyes to lure them to look in my face or by spitting hot dogs or other treats from my mouth.  Then give the command "Ready," and look dog in the eyes.  Praise the dog when he looks into your eyes, possibly saying "Good ready."  To teach the command, start out by rewarding very brief eye contact. Once the command is understood, gradually extend the eye contact time before giving your release word, and giving the reward.  A good release word can be, "okay".

Another way to get a dog's attention is through play.  If you have a place to play fetch, take two fetch objects such as kong toys. Throw one kong away from you.  The dog goes to fetch it.  Then lure the dog back to you by showing him the other kong.   When he comes toward you, get him to drop the kong he has.  This can be done by pulling straight up on the dog's collar and commanding "out" or "aus".  Throw the kong you've got.  If he likes to chase objects, soon he'll be running back to you as fast as he can to get you to throw the next kong.   The idea behind this classic exercise is to reinforce that you are the center of fun, and that you control the fun.  The game is over when you decide that it is over.   Thus, you are displaying your dominance without being loud, forceful or heavy handed.

It's important to keep the right attitude and manage situations to keep the dog under control.   For example, trying to correct a dog off lead and failing because the dog is running circles around you has just taught the dog that he is in control, and that you are a poor leader.  Keep the dog on leash in situations where you may not be able to reinforce your commands or dominance.  The last thing that you want is to be the mother screaming at her child in the grocery store.  The dog has no respect for you when you shout and may even become untrusting of you.  Instead, you must be a pack leader who commands instant attention and respect because you simply put a quick stop to unwanted behavior.  That's where the management and having physical control comes in.

Your goal is not to punish the dog or let out your own anger and frustration, but rather to exert calm control.  If you do get angry or frustrated, it's much better to put the dog away and regain your composure.  Losing one's temper on the dog takes your training progress backwards.

It's important to balance control and correction with affection and
fun.   A willing, working dog is created when that dog enjoys its training or job.  Using positive reinforcement techniques in your training is a good way to achieve this.  A blend of motivation training and a little compulsion when needed is often a good blend in my opinion.

The Canine to Canine Relationship:

The Alpha dog usually displays the following characteristics:

• ALWAYS wins at tug-of-war with the other dogs.

• RECEIVES the most attention from the other dogs, sometimes not wanting the attention.

• RARELY or NEVER licks the other dogs on the mouth.

• Usually has FIRST CHOICE of the best sleeping areas.
  

• Wins all STARING CONTESTS with the other dogs.

• May become JEALOUS when the other dogs receive attention from you.

• May STEAL or GUARD toys, chewies, food, etc.

• May push his way to be FIRST out and in doorways.

• May MOUNT the other dogs (male or female).
  
  
  
  
  In contrast, the Omega dog usually displays the following characteristics:
  

• ALWAYS gives up first at tug-of-war with the other dogs.

• GIVES the most attention and affection to the other dogs, usually licking their mouths, especially the "alpha" dog's mouth.
  

• LOOKS AWAY when being stared at by the other dogs, and probably by you too.

• Freely GIVES UP toys, chewies, food, sleeping areas, etc. to the other dogs.

• Rolls on back and displays "BELLY" to other dogs, and probably to you too.

• May pee upon greeting the other dogs, and possibly people too.

Links:

Multi Dogs

Avoiding Or Correcting Dominance Problems

Behavioral Problems and Correcting Them - Alpha

Alpha Scmalpha

Dominant Dogs

Taking The Lead Behavioral Problems

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