Alpha Syndrome - Behavior Problems

[MedicBarbie]

Alpha Syndrome - Behavior Problems

The root of most behavior problems is what is called the Alpha Syndrome.

Instead of the problem being about the dog, most of the time we are dealing with a problem environment or a problem relationship between the dog and its owner.

Dogs need a leader, an alpha, and if you do not establish this position yourself, your dog will take it. In your home, this phenomenon will reflect in pushy, out-of-control behavior.

The way to handle this is to alphabetize yourself in relation to your dog. This plan does not resort to punishment. It is about establishing boundaries. In addition to these techniques, obedience training is recommended.

Here are some corrective measures. Be consistent, firm, and patient. The Alpha Syndrome problems didn't happen over night, so the solutions will take time. If you stick to the program, you will see changes.

·Work on eye contact with your dog. Trace a line from your dog's face to yours and say, "look." Hold a toy or treat to make it more interesting. Reward even a glance with praise or the treat. This will work to help the Alpha Syndrome.

·Control the territory. If your dog is lying in your way, make it move for you, instead of walking around it.

·Earning Praise and Treats. Stop all food treats and petting for this rehabilitation period except what is earned by obeying a command.

·Schedule meals and eat before your dog. Do not have food available at all times, but make your dog dependent on you for its food and make your dog eat after your meal. The alpha in a pack always eats first.

·Enter and exit before your dog. Make sure you go out or in the yard, car, home, etc. before your dog. Make the dog "wait" before allowing it to follow. This is a good way to get rid of the Alpha Syndrome.

·Give commands in a firm low tone and only once. Make your dog obey you the first time you give a command, and don't resort to whining or yelling.

·Play with your dog but control the games. Don't play any games your dog can win. If you play tug of war, then control the game by making the dog drop the toy at your command.

If you play fetch, same thing. Do not play chase, unless you are faster than your dog and are willing to never stop running! Follow these suggestions they will help with the Alpha Syndrome.

·Until the behavior problems stop, don't let the dog sleep in your bed.

·Muzzle control. Gently put your hand over the top of your dog's muzzle and hold it for a few seconds. It is a natural dominant gesture.

·Regularly groom your dog. Work gently with sensitive areas and help your dog build trust in you.

·Belly rubs. It is a gesture of sub ordinance and your dog will love it!

·Down Stays. Have your dog hold a thirty minute down-stay once a day. Enforce it! This can be done while you eat a meal or read.

·Obedience train your dog twenty minutes a day be firm, not harsh. Don't work with your dog if you are tired or in a bad mood. An alpha owner does not hold grudges or throw fits, but is firm, gentle, and consistent. Alpha Syndrome behavior problems will go away.

http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/alpha-syndrome.html

[kavrno]

Great advice and something that should be read and followed by ALL dog owners, there would definitely be less dogs in shelters and rescue if people would follow these steps. 

[brumzoo]

Thanks, Mel!

[mikep]

Good advice. I've been having some behavioral issues with my 5 year old Bulldog and the behaviorist basically said the dog has "Instrumental Aggression" issues, which means it's aggression directed at the owner(s). The dog is fighting for the alpha position and acts out (in the form of aggression) when he doesn't get his way or what he wants. We have been using the techniques given by the behaviorist for almost two weeks now and things are getting much better. The techniques in your posting are much the same that he prescribed. Thanks for the re-enforcement.

[hoegaandit]

Hmmm ... I mainly don't agree with this.

In our house, for example, our two year old boy (a) is allowed on furniture any time he wants (b) gets on our bed at night any time he wants (c) we nearly always just walk around him if he is in the way (d) we free feed (he has food at all times) and may eat before us, although he usually eats the same time (e) he can go out the door first or last - whatever (f) we quite often play games eg tug of war where he wins or is allowed to win (g) when we go walking he mostly chooses where he wants to go and I follow (we nearly always walk off leash) etc etc.

He also an entire male and over 90lbs, fit and strong. (We walk an hour a day on average or more).

So we must have problems with him right? He must be the "alpha" male, or trying to be? Not at all! Yes he is a strong dog who once fought back with a much bigger dog the one time he was attacked, but at home and with us he is a just lovely boy.

I think the problem with original poster's post is that there is a grain of truth in what is stated. Dogs do need an element of structure and consistency. They do have somewhat more of a "pack" orientation than humans. In our house we have certain rules about chewing (and needless to say no marking inside) etc that the humans in the household require. We do not allow any aggressive growling or nipping (although he can friendly growl and mouth his dad's hands in a friendly game if he wants). There are certain safety considerations which he must comply with, eg no running up onto the road from the house, and no crossing road where there is any traffic without his dad's ok (-critical because we walk off leash).

The sorts of issues like humans eating first or humans going first in a walk or through the door etc etc are of no importance whatsoever in our household. I can absolutely categorically state, having had many dogs, that insistence on those sorts of rules is not necessary at all. All you have to decide are what are the important rules for you, and then in a consistent, non-emotional manner, insist on compliance with those issues. If you do that you shouldn't have problems with your dog - and there is no need for the 101 rules in the original post!

Cheers

[Bully*4]

This was an article that the original poster believed may benefit some of our members.  Please remember that every person's dog and situation is unique and what may work for one family, situation, or dog may not work for others.  Having had 5 simultaneously; 4 females, 1 male, 2 alphas, 2 special needs, and 3 rescues with very little history... I realize that everyone has their own unique journey with their dog.  Therefore, the article has merit and value if it has helped another person dealing with an alpha dog, especially if that person may not have had a lot of experience in that department.

Cheers!

[ilovebuddah]

This was an article that the original poster believed may benefit some of our members.  Please remember that every person's dog and situation is unique and what may work for one family, situation, or dog may not work for others.  Having had 5 simultaneously; 4 females, 1 male, 2 alphas, 2 special needs, and 3 rescues with very little history... I realize that everyone has their own unique journey with their dog.  Therefore, the article has merit and value if has helped another person dealing with an alpha dog, especially if that person may not have had a lot of experience in that department.

Cheers!

Can I say how obsessed I am with your signature picture? It is ADORABULL in the highest form!!! LOVE IT.....


As for the post, I agree with mel....i follow all those rules with Buddah and I think they all work very well so far. I wouldnt want him to think he is the boss!!! 

[Bully*4]

[quote author=ilovebuddah link=topic=20932.msg277654#msg277654 date=1215029151


Can I say how obsessed I am with your signature picture? It is ADORABULL in the highest form!!! LOVE IT.....

[/quote]

Why thank you.   

[MedicBarbie]

I am very happy that you don't have a dog with behavior problems or a checkered past.  Having adopted and fostered many dogs with alpha issues, I do think that these apply to those situations.

Not everyone is as lucky as you are, and the original post was meant to assist people who are having problems with their dogs.  It doesn't apply to every situation, and it was not meant to be a bible on dog behavior. 

My dogs sleep in bed with me also, but they know I'm alpha bitch, the way it should be.

[bella-baby]

I have a girl that sleeps in bed with me, ussually eats first, always go through the door first and I always have to step over the lump in the hall But she is an angel   has no issues and trains at a competition level obedience.

The training center  I go to have what they call "reactive rover" seminars....a nice way to say dog with issues . I have seen amazing things done with these dogs using the techniques in the article, along with others.

[brumzoo]

This article is obviously not for everyone as there is no such thing as "one size fits all" information when it comes to anything. But, it is great information and I know it has helped people in the past and will help people in the future.

I have had up to twelve dogs at a time in my house that were all rescues and they all knew/know that I am the alpha bitch. They respect me and listen to me.

[8ftbed]

^^
^^
^^   so do the bullies (like many significant others) only pay homage to the alpha bitch one week out of the month? 

 
(sorry, a  3 day weekend with no rain in the forecast is already weighing heavily  on the brain and putting caution and self preservation in the mute mode.  )

[Bluto's Mom]

I think each dog is has different needs. I have to use alot of enforcement with Bluto whereas with Bear I don't have too. I had Bear as a pup and Bluto was a rescue and came with alot of baggage. I have to be consistent with Bluto and kinda of keep a routine. If I start slacking he goes bonkers!!  I am not a real strict mom, just have to be consistent and firm when he does act up. He does sleep in bed for a few minutes and then he gets hot and sleeps on the floor. He does wait for me to go down steps first...more for my own safety because of the way he flies down them! 
Bear listens very well with both voice and hand signals and does pretty much whatever he wants to with no issues. He even comes to get me to rat out Bluto when he is into something he shouldn't be! 

[Stan's Mum]

Work on eye contact with your dog. Trace a line from your dog's face to yours and say, "look." Hold a toy or treat to make it more interesting. Reward even a glance with praise or the treat. This will work to help the Alpha Syndrome.

http://www.dog-first-aid-101.com/alpha-syndrome.html

What is this suppose to accomplish?  Stan and I have always done this w/o the need for a treat, verbal command or hand signal.  I never knew there was any benefit to it  (we just like staring at each other).  What is supposed to happen?  I'm still struggling with Stan's dog aggression.  I just don't understand why he hates dogs so much.  This morning we saw a bully puppy walking up one end of the block and another bulldog walking from the other end.  We were literally trapped in a bully sandwich!  I would have loved to stop and meet the other bullies, but Stan flipped out and I had to extricate ourselves from the scene.  It's so sad to see him so upset by other dogs.  I follow almost all of these rules with a just few exceptions.  At this rate Stanley will never get to meet Biggie at Prospect Park! 

[ksdstny]

chantel its supposed to help to get they're attention when they ARE focused on something else i.e., another dog, if it were working in the manner they are speaking of when those bully's came a walking down the street you could put stan in a sit ask him to look at you and he would be totally focused on you and completely ignore those dogs. that kind of concentration takes a long time. harlow has no problem with the look command, she really has no problem with any command UNLESS there is a distraction then we HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM, hee hee. so we are working on commands under distraction.

in our house i rock her world out of the house a not so much. hope that helps you to understand.