What Is An Alpha Dog?

[Peggy]

Originally posted to Corgi L Aug. 22, 2002

What Is An Alpha Dog?:

I think that all too often we use the term "alpha" somewhat in error.
Having just lost my second alpha bitch let me offer some observations.

Now I've been lucky that in 23 years of living with corgis that I have
had only two alpha bitches. Both my alpha bitches, (alpha meaning they
were at the top of the dog pack here) were peaceful, calm dogs. They
could run with any of my dogs. I could take them anywhere and trust them
When Kristie died there was no fighting among any of my dogs for the
alpha position. There was no obvious "takeover". Tango just became the
alpha. She didn't push the other dogs around to get the position. It
just became hers. She did not fight with the other dogs prior to
Kristies death. She was always a calm, sweet, non-confrontational dog.
(That does not mean that either alpha never got into a fight, they did
not start them, but they also did not back down.)

A true alpha dog in a multiple dog houshold (which constitutes a pack)
is the one that is the calming influence. And usually a bitch (if there

It's not usually the alpha dog that acts aggressive, it's the middle
ranking dogs that are the aggressors - an alpha wanna be.

"Relate temperament to a corporation.
-CEO is the alpha - this dog isn't a fighter, not dominant or
aggressive, he's just there.

"-The vast majority of alpha dogs rule benevolently. They are confident
in their position. They do not stoop to squabbling to prove their point.

- "Alpha" does not mean physically dominant. It means "in control of
resources." Many, many alpha dogs are too small or too physically frail
to physically dominate. But they have earned the right to control the
valued resources. An individual dog determines which resources he
considers important. Thus an alpha dog may give up a prime sleeping
place because he simply couldn't care less."

Tango maintained her alpha position even though due to her ruptured
disk her back legs became useless and she could not walk or run. She did

Alpha:
http://www.clickersolutions.com/clic.../dominance.htm

The Next Taflar Alpha?:
Now having said all that I think we could be in for an interesting
time here, to see which of my girls becomes the next alpha. Right now my
bet's on Diamond as she's much like her half sister Tango, and she's the
only one I've got that I can run with absolutly every other dog here.
Well, except Solo, and that's not Diamond's decision.

1/25/2006 - Diamond and Solor have both passed away. The dog that took Tango place was Crest, who is also gone now. Mark took over from him, Mark passed away last year.

So far we've had two females and two males who have been "true alphas". Then again, those boys would still give in to the females.

Right now No one dog has come to the top of the pack right now as the next alpha.

Then again, my dogs don't all get to be loose in the house at the same time. Too many here for that. And too many alpha wannabes right now. Merlin or maybe Lizi would be my next guess.

Peggy

[Chip's Mom]

Peggy:

I am curious as to your description of an alpha wannabee

[glencorgi]

Think Maybelle Bonnie, when she was acting up.

Debbie

[tandemgal]

I only have two so guessing it's not a true pack. Emma can be with any dog and has a mild good natured temperament. Even when our Son's doberman was here at Christmas Emma walked around like she owned the place (she does lol) where as Chloe stayed in hiding most of the time.

When Chloe was a puppy Emma would teach her puppy manners and they played nice together. As Chloe grew Emma became sick with heart worms and of course she spent more and more time resting. And her recovery time took several months. During this time Chloe grew (she's 1 now) and was used to getting her way - walking in/out of the door first, taking away toys that Emma was interested in. Chloe seems to have a more fisty disposition at least towards Emma...

As Emma has got stronger they have started fighting. At least once ever two weeks or more. They never fight over food - they eat side by side. They seem to fight over just a look or me. Three out of four times Chloe will be the winner.

My question is should I let them fight it out as Hubby suggests, break them up as I feel I should. More importantly how do I stop the fights?

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by Chip's Mom

Peggy:
I am curious as to your description of an alpha wannabee

An alpha wannabe is the trouble maker. They are "fighting" (sometimes literally) for higher status.

Think of a company-
CEO- alpha
junior memebers - alpha wannabes
janitors, etc - omega dogs

And some omega dogs are quite happy with that position. They also don't cause trouble don't try to rise in rank.

Peggy

[Peggy]

Originally Posted by tandemgal

I only have two so guessing it's not a true pack. Emma can be with any dog and has a mild good natured temperament.
<some snipped>
During this time Chloe grew (she's 1 now) and was used to getting her way - walking in/out of the door first, taking away toys that Emma was interested in. Chloe seems to have a more fisty disposition at least towards Emma...

As Emma has got stronger they have started fighting. At least once ever two weeks or more. They never fight over food - they eat side by side. They seem to fight over just a look or me. Three out of four times Chloe will be the winner.

My question is should I let them fight it out as Hubby suggests, break them up as I feel I should. More importantly how do I stop the fights?

Ok, yes, two dogs can be a pack.

If there is going to be trouble the usual time for it to start is between the age of 1 year and 18 mos. (Give or take of course.) This is the time I see a dog start to want to rise in ranking if they are going to. Dogs that used to get along don't any more.

I would stop feeding them side by side. If they are fighting over other things, it will progress to food eventually.

And NO I would not let them fight it out. YOU are the real alpha and you get to say what happens and no fighting allowed!

Break them up and give them a time out in crates if you have them, in sperate rooms if you don't. Leave them for 15-20 min. When you break them up scold them and tell them how rotten you think they are for fighting. And mean it!

Peggy

[glencorgi]

Originally Posted by tandemgal

When Chloe was a puppy Emma would teach her puppy manners and they played nice together. As Chloe grew Emma became sick with heart worms and of course she spent more and more time resting. And her recovery time took several months. During this time Chloe grew (she's 1 now) and was used to getting her way - walking in/out of the door first, taking away toys that Emma was interested in. Chloe seems to have a more fisty disposition at least towards Emma...

Chloe is reaching "the age" when the challenging begins.

As Emma has got stronger they have started fighting. At least once ever two weeks or more. They never fight over food - they eat side by side. They seem to fight over just a look or me. Three out of four times Chloe will be the winner.

Ahhhhhhh - the look ... good you can catch it at that stage. Break things up at that stage with an annnnnnnnt - "Chloe, stop looking at Emma" or vice versa as the case maybe. Don't let things proceed further than this IF possible. IF they are squabbling over you, then they both go to time out - you control the resource - you.

My question is should I let them fight it out as Hubby suggests, break them up as I feel I should. More importantly how do I stop the fights?

If enough tension builds up between them, the girls will fight till the death (not necessarily Emma and Chloe, but in general). I'd much rather break up two males than a b*tch fight any day.

The SUPREME and ULTIMATE alpha is you and IF you are able to stop the fights before they begin, then that is your best option.

Debbie

[tandemgal]

Thanks Peggy and Debbie!

Today begins a new day where I will be the Queen b*tch and my little minions will play nice or pay the consequences.... (insert evil laugh) I haven't got to be the Queen B since my Sons grew up!

[Chip's Mom]

Maybelle is bossy with Chip. If they are outside together and I call Chip and he starts to come to me, Maybelle cuts him off at the path and tries to get him to focus his attention back on her. If Chip and I are playing fetch in the house, she will come right over and start pulling at Chip or grabbing his toys to get his attention back on her. I am mean - I will point my finger at her and tell her to back off or outside I will yell Maybelle No and that is helping but it is a long haul. She has accepted the fact that Jasmine is top dog. She sees the puppy as a new addition to her little play group but she isn't as possessive with the pup. It is mostly Chip but she is getting better. The puppy will play with her but he is definitely attached to Chip - Maybelle is also starting to walk up to visitors for a small pat which is a big step for her. I can feed them together and this morning Chip & Dale are eating out of the same dish and Maybelle is laying there waiting her turn. She is a work in progress but she is a good dog and if I can ever get her over being possessive of Chip life will be really good.