Alpha dog

stevew · Post by **stevew** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:48 pm

I have recently spoken to a couple of professional dog trainers and both of them started banging on about how I should be the alpha male pack leader to train my dog. I though this macho approach went out of fashion years ago?

Thoughts anyone?

alpha · Post by **alpha** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:55 pm

I wouldn't want to live in the kennels and eat raw food

Polmaise · Post by **Polmaise** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:00 pm

stevew wrote:I have recently spoken to a couple of professional dog trainers and both of them started banging on about how I should be the alpha male pack leader to train my dog. I though this macho approach went out of fashion years ago?

Thoughts anyone?

what's yours?

stevew · Post by **stevew** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:21 pm

Well since you ask.

I think it is a load of macho BS. My dog has strict house rules as to what he is/is not allowed to do. Not allowed on the furniture, not to jump up, don't bite the postman etc. He does not get any treats except as a reward for correct actions during training. This could be seen as following the alpha dog philosophy however he also gets lots of cuddles and fun play time. Training is based on fun and positive reward: praise and treats when he gets it right, nothing when he gets it wrong. All commands are spoken in a whisper, no need to shout he has excellent hearing. Allowance is made for him still being a pup and I have only disciplined him once. I do not try to dominate him in any way, I hope he works for fun and reward not out of fear.

Polmaise · Post by **Polmaise** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 8:37 pm

stevew wrote:Well since you ask.

I think it is a load of macho BS.
My dog has strict house rules as to what he is/is not allowed to do.
Not allowed on the furniture,
not to jump up,
don't bite the postman etc.
He does not get any treats except as a reward for correct actions during training.
This could be seen as following the alpha dog philosophy

I do not try to dominate him in any way,

Looks like you have it sorted . Maybe the 'professional gundog trainers' you mention are wrong?
Mind you...I have never believed all that alphs male crap!....most pack societies have the female with the 'calm ascertive', structure?

Just like 'meerkats'?

MTS · Post by **MTS** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:01 pm

Polmaise · Post by **Polmaise** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:11 pm

I think the wolf theory', is where many of the 'mis-conceptions', arise from Alpha ?

James · Post by **James** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:12 pm

maybe when watched, their trainings not "wrong" just their choice of termanology for the more modern thinking owner

Polmaise · Post by **Polmaise** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:14 pm

It could be that human's 'perception of dominance', is control,rather than leadership.

Pink Gundog · Post by **Pink Gundog** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 9:56 pm

Polmaise wrote:It could be that human's 'perception of dominance', is control,rather than leadership.

I agree

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