I don't usually do this and I think that everyone who posts here knows that I post the links that are sent in and just because I post, doesn't mean I agree with everything that is posted, although I reserve the right not to post links that I feel are offensive or detrimental, in this case, I feel strongly compelled to comment and I welcome feedback, since we're all dog lovers and owners.
I was sent the following link for the Carnival - It’s Cruel to be the Alpha Dog"
This poster asks, "Would you let your four year old rule the house by deciding her own bedtime, mealtime and everything else?" And goes on to say, "First, never apologize to your dog. Never! You may feel really bad that you stepped on his paw in the hallway while you were taking laundry to everyone’s bedrooms, but what was he doing lying in the hall in the first place?"
If you're going to equate your 4 year old and your dog, then do you expect your 4 year old to know that it isn't right to occasionally to play in say the hallway where you might trip on them and if you do, you shouldn't apologize if you step on their foot? You should take a tough shit attitude and flippantly say, "Well, you shouldn't have been there anyway?" My ex-husband made the mistake of thinking he didn't have to apologize to a child when he did something wrong, hasn't had the pleasure of his company since then. Life is well rounded, people make mistakes, they should apologize. I feel the same way about the dogs. The floor is their space, they lie there, they play there, they rest there, they sun there etc, with 6 dogs, we occasionally have to zig and zag around here and yes, we do bump into each other once in a awhile and I say," I'm sorry!" Just like I would if I bumped into a human. Do I have 6 little angels? No, but they're pretty damn close. Their worst habit is barking when someone is at the door, but that's primarily because the oldest dog is a firm believer that he is here to protect my son and he has instilled this in some degree in the other dogs.
There is no doubt in this house who the Alpha is. Even though my son is a young man and the dogs that came when he was older see him as an authority figure, they still all know that I am the Alpha and respect that. Like human siblings, I occasionally see them jockey for position in the pack, but there is no doubt that the 2 leggers around here are in charge.
It doesn't have to be cruel to be the alpha anymore than you have to be cruel to be a parent, love, respect and discipline go a long way and so does common courtesy. The younger ones even show this courtesy to the oldest dog. He can't overpower a single one of them, but they respect his place in the pack. His warning growl if they invade his space is nothing more than that, there's nothing behind it, he can't muster the same level aggression that any of the rest of them could, but they defer and step back, or playfully lick him to show respect. You do have to establish yourself as the Alpha, I totally agree with that, just not with some of the posters, well, actually most of the posters tactics. My advice if you're getting a puppy, read a lot of advice and talk to your vet and treat your dog as you would a child, with discipline, structure, courtesy and lots of love.
Posted by Mickey at August 4, 2006 5:06 PMAngel can get pretty aggressive. He is the only boy animal in the house, and he tries to exert his authority on Jackie and the cats. Jackie is pretty submissive, but don't mess with her food! She is the one who licks clean their bowls after they have eaten, and if Angel comes back after he has finished, Jackie chases him off.
Angel knows who is in charge, though. I understand what the author was getting at as far as letting the dogs know who is in charge, but just like with kids, all parents and dog owners are different, and all dogs are different, too.
Right now Jackie is sleeping behind me on the couch. She was lying next to me while I read the paper this morning, and is still there now that I am at the computer. When I left, she plopped herself in the warm spot my butt left behind.
When I go back she will most likely get up and move out of my spot. If she doesn't, I will pick her up and move her, or maybe I will leave her be. Whatever the case, she is deserving of being treated with respect.
My dogs would put themselves in harms way for me, (Well, at least Angel would. I have seen him do it.) They love me unconditionally, and give me more comfort and joy than I could ever hope to possibly repay. They deserve a little courtesy.
I would like to say that I think Small Dogs Paradise is a pretty good site overall. I have read through some of the articles and have learned a few things about how to handle dogs. But, like I said, everyone is different, so I may follow their advise, or not. It is, after all, up to me. :)
Posted by: Jeff on August 5, 2006 11:12 AMI love dogs and am glad I`ve found your site. Now I`ll have some fun and check it out!
tea
Posted by: tea on August 5, 2006 3:21 PM