how to be the alpha male???
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Congrats on your soon-to-be-home new puppy!  What an exciting time!
As for being alpha, you have to train him from the start with the nothing-in-life-is-free technique. To avert food aggression, feed him by hand for awhile. If he ever gets food aggressive, pick up the bowl. You must be able to pick up his food with no reaction, especially since you have a toddler in the house. Yes, you eat first, you go outside first, you go up the stairs first (when he can go upstairs) - you do everything first so he learns his position in the pack. Formal training is also strongly recommended. And of course, never leave your toddler and the pup alone for even a second! Puppies being puppies, and toddlers being toddlers, even if something is not meant to harm but only to play, the signals could get crossed between them. Good luck!  You're in for a heckuva roller coaster ride!! Post pictures when you can!
Chris |
| Definitely do some reading. I got a lot of advice from Jan Fennell's book The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell. I know there are other books that forum members recommend. I wish I had National Geographic Channel so I could watch Cesar Millan. But the more you learn about how your dog thinks, the better you will be able to position yourself as the alpha. Good luck!
Cesar's Way : The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems (Hardcover), by Cesar Millan, Melissa Jo Peltier Cesar Millan's DVDs People Training for Dogs, Cesar Millan's personal DVD!! Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - The Complete First Season (2004) DVD Box Set Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan - Aggression (2004) Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan - Volume 1 (2004) Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan - Volume 2 (2004) Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan - Stories from Cesar's Way (2004) |
| Well said Chris, I second that!
I have a toddler and a 10 mo old and it is neccessary to establish who is the boss! I also have my children give Ben treats and Micah my oldest feeds Ben (after he tells him to sit) this also, shows Ben that even though the kids are smaller they have more rank! I make sure that the kids are involved, teaches the dog who is who and the kids responsibility! 
On a earlier post I stated, how my little one and Ben were sharing a bowl of food  . While I do not like to bragg that my kid likes dog food, I was thrilled that Ben allowed him to eat with him. It showed me that what I am doing works!
Good Luck! As I have said before, Life with little ones and Sheepies leaves no room for a dull moment!  |
I "third" that  ! |
| I have to tell you,I have Cody who is now 15 months,I wish I would have listened to everyone on reading the book The Dog Listener: Learn How to Communicate with Your Dog for Willing Cooperation, by Jan Fennell. I just purchased it last weekend. I am already trying some of the stuff that I have read so far.Oh My God!!!I am not even in the training part of the book.It really works! Just the few things that it has tought me is worth 200 times the amount of the book.$16.95 here. All the best.. |
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