The pack leader dog can be any size and can usually be nice and good. But when you challenge his authority the alpha dog will quickly show who is in charge with a stare, snarl or even a bite, driven by his instinct. But this behavior is unacceptable in a human family pack and we have to prevent it..

Dogs need social order and want leaders. They want to feel secure and they want to know their place in the pack. Most dogs do not really want to be alpha dogs. But if their dog owner does not take the position of the pack leader the dog will take over the role of the alpha. The dog’s place should be at the bottom of the hierarchy in the family and the dog must respect all family members not only one of them and dominate the other. The dog  must be subordinate to all family members and not equal.

You are not a pack leader if your dog behaves in ways you do not approve, such as:

• your dog pulls you around when you take him out for a walk,
• your dog barks or even snarls at other dogs,
• you cannot control the dog in all situations,
• when a dog possesses certain items, it is hard to take these items away from him without the dog snarling at the owner or worse, even attempting to bite the owner;
• your dog does not listen to your commands and does not come when you call for him.

These are some of the symptoms that your dog is probably thinking that he is a pack leader or he is confused about who really is a pack leader. As these are not acceptable behaviors you have to start working on becoming a pack leader immediately and claim leadership.

When you are a true pack leader your dog will listen to you in every situation and you will have control over the dog. Your dog will less likely attempt to harm you or other people. Your dog will not pull on the leash, will bark less at other dogs and will well behave around other dogs. He will respect your possession of certain items and the dog will be less nervous, happier and more satisfied.

To become a pack leader start thinking like a dog and learn how the pack mentality works

Dogs live in present not in the past or future. Bad actions that a dog has done in the past can be repaired as the dog can change under good leadership. The dog can be rehabilitated even if he had some bad experience in the past.

• Dogs do not feel quilt or pity. If an owner expresses such emotions a dog will understand this as a weakness.
• Dogs are pack animals and need social order.
• Do not give your dog too much affection by touching him all the time. This is not a behavior of a pack leader. You can show your dog attention without touching him, even only with a look.
• Do not correct your dog misbehavior when he’s very excited, correct him before he gets too excited, getting out of control otherwise you will not be able to achieve wanted result.
  

As dogs have a pack mentality, you as a dog owner are member of the same pack as your dog.  There is always a pack leader in the pack. Make sure that this is you and you will be able to control your dog in any situation. If a dog feels that no one is a pack leader, he will try to become a pack leader.

Dogs are followers and like to know their place in the pack. Your dog will be happier if you behave as a pack leader at all times, when you are at home and when you take him for a walk.

Behave as a pack leader

Being a pack leader is a matter of attitude not a matter of physical power or strength, so even the smallest dog can be a pack leader. Being a pack leader is about dignity, authority and confidence. A dog recognizes this attitude. It is about being gentle and firm at the same time.

Your dog watches you all the times and reads your body language. He knows when you are uncomfortable, scared or when you show any sign of weakness and in that case he will try to assume the alpha role and tell you what to do.

Alpha makes decisions in the pack

• Alpha or a pack leader decides where the pack will go.
• Alpha decides when the pack will eat and what kind of food who gets.
• You as a pack leader decide when your dog is allowed to bark and when it is time for the pack to play. The            alpha decides how other members of the pack should behave.
• A pack leader does not ask his dog to do something instead he tells him to do so. Alpha makes rules and     gives commands and decides how other members of the pack should behave.
• A pack leader never apologizes for his actions. The rest of the pack will not resent instead they will be content that the pack works.

Walk and talk as a pack leader

• A pack leader stands up straight, walks tall and uses deep firm tone of voice.
• A pack leader always exits the house first when going for a walk and walks in front of a dog when being on a walk.
• Use voice commands in firm and calm tones, no high-pitch voice.
• Do not talk to your dog like you would talk to a baby.
• Do not speak in anger and do not ask your dog questions.
• If the dog is ignoring your command, stop giving the command

Everything belongs to alpha. A pack leader claims every item that the dog is possessive about, even the food.

Alpha decides all about food

• Give food to a dog when he is submissive and calm and not when the dog is excited.
• When feeding the dog, set the food bowl on the ground and stand between the food and the dog. If the dog wants to take the food, block him with your body, even without words.
• The dog will understand this message as that the food belonging to you.
• Continue blocking the dog as long as he wants to get the food.
• Be persistent and only when the dog relaxes and calms down, allow him to take the food.

Calm, assertive and consistent

• Consistency is very important, you have to correct your dog each time he misbehaves, otherwise the dog will be confuses.
• Anticipate your dog's behavior so you can avoid it in advance or correct it on time.
• A pack leader corrects dogs in his pack calmly but assertively, without any aggression.
• An alpha dog knows that he can beat you in a physical fight, so do not use aggression against him as it will not work. You must be smarter than alpha and outthink him. And stubborn and persistent until you succeed in putting him back at the bottom of the family pack.

Do not pet your dog too much

In a real pack subordinate dogs lick and touch the alpha dog to show submission and respect. Stop petting your dog until his attitude improves. And even when it improves, pet your dog only when you want so, not when your dog wishes so. And pet the dog from higher position than his; do not go on the floor to show him attention.

Game and sleeping rules

Games like wrestling and similar are not appropriate as they encourage dominance. Instead, play fetch games or hide and seek. A pack leader stops the game, and he stops it before the dog gets bored.

If you have alpha problems do not allow your dog to sleep in the same bed as you sleep in as that makes him feel equal or even superior.

A pack leader controls the territory. If the dog is lying in your way in the middle of the hallway, do not bypass him. Make him move instead.

Do not allow that your dog influences you in a manner that you take a subordinate role, like in the examples below:

• The dog brings a toy to human as he wants to play. Don't play every time this happens. If you play every time the dogs wants, the dog will think he is the leader as he decides when to play.
• When you bring a new puppy home do not cuddle him like a baby and comfort him too much. If you give a puppy too much affection in this way, he will think you are weaker than he is. Do not show any weakness when you bring a dog to your pack for the first time, as in that case a dog would try to became a pack leader instead of you.
• Do not greet your dog at the doors when you get home if he is in an excited state of mind. Wait until the dog is calm and then give attention to him.

Exercise and training is crucial

Take your dog to obedience training lessons with a qualified trainer. They will teach you how to give commands and how to be alpha dog. Especially important are commands like down or stay as they remind the dog about his place in the family pack.

Dogs in a pack walk a lot. If you do not walk your dog regularly, he can become frustrated or develop behavior problems. When you take your dog for a walk, lift your head up, shoulders back and chest out. The dog will read your body language and this will reinforce your position as a pack leader. By letting your dog outside in your backyard cannot replace the walk in which you lead and your dog follows. How much exercise does your dog need depends on the breed. Some dogs do not need a lot of exercise, for example a pug, and some other breeds, like an English Setter need plenty of exercise more times a day. A dog which does not get enough exercise can become nervous, bark a lot, chew on furniture or other unwanted items or develop any other unwanted behavior.

Training gives the dog the opportunity to please and to do a job as dogs love to work and please. A well-trained dog can go more places with you because he well behaves. A well-trained dog who knows his place in the family pack is happy and satisfied; he knows what is expected of him.

Related articles:
http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_LeaderPack.html
http://www.forpaws.org/articles/alpha.htm