Who is Alpha?

[Pam]

I was just watching Bella and Ripley romping in the yard and it got me to thinking about who might be the alpha dog. Actually I don't think either one of them is. Does there always have to be an alpha dog?

From the moment that Ripley came in this house he was remarkably fearless (considering that his new Sis was 25 lbs. heavier and towered over him). Bella also didn't bat an eye at the new furry intruder into her home.

They each initiate play and when they are outside they are usually side by side. I do notice a little bit of Ripley following Bella around in the yard more than the other way around. (Maybe she just sniffs out the better places and then brings them to his attention! )

For those of you with two or more dogs, do you have an alpha and who is it? Does there always have to be an alpha? Just wondering....

[lovemyshiba]

No big surprise here, to anyone who knows Shibas, Kito is our Alpha. Whenever there's a "parade" he's the leader!! He goes first when we go for walks together, and if they are in his spot on the beds, they move. Abbey and Riley are both so submissive it's funny.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

Molly is certainly the alpha here. If someone comes to the door, shes the first one to know about it. She is the leader when it comes to getting treats/bones first, going ahead during walks, and if Daisy is somewere, laying down, sitting, etc...and Molly wants her spot, she moves.

[micki76]

Usually there is a female alpha and a male alpha, which is probably why you see no conflict or posturing. They are on equal ground. This is also why it's better for 2 dog homes to have one of each sex. Not to say that's always the case, but it ususally helps if one is aggressive. You probably have dogs that know their place is secure. And they both know you are the true alpha.

[wolflady]

I think Micki76 hit it right on the nose, you are the alpha Pam! LOL LOL

[Cincy'sMom]

Between our dogs, Sadie is the alpha. It took me awhile to figure out, becuase she usually yields toys to Cincy. However, when she cares enough about something she does not back down. She decides what is worth barking at...Spot and Cincy will bark at almost anything outisde...we often don't check what it is unless Sadie barks too Also, she backs down to other dogs ( Like at the dog park) quickly if Ralph or I are around, but if we aren't she "watches" out for her brother and sister (can you belive she is a bit of a bully at dayschool?)

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by micki76
Usually there is a female alpha and a male alpha,
which is probably why you see no conflict or posturing.
They are on equal ground.

And they both know you are the true alpha.

Heee-Heeee ~

We led Dad *think* he'z da "alpha"...

Lotta folkz say they'z *amazed* how Gud Smoke an me getz along!

But then - *I* picked Him (outta da frund yard) an invited him in.

I act like I'z da Boss Dawg; but we kinda share da Job... On walkiez - we take turnz leadin. Go "my way" fur a while, then SmokeMutt getz a wild hare uppa butt an jamz onna brakez an tugz us "HIZ way" fur a while. Onlee *problem* iz when we getz to a tree or a post - since I'z got him by about 10 poundz; *I* kan out-pull him when we get da Y-thingy on oppozit sides of da tree. I uzed ta "ring hiz bell" purdy offin when we hit a tree! Now he letz me leed an he followz when we'z Y'd tagether an come up to sumpin solid.

Since I gotz *seenyoritee* inna Fambly, *I* gets my grub furst, but treetz get handed out kinda equal. No fitez ober Lap Tyme - duzint mattur who getz UP furst; da udder wun getz their turn inna while. An we flip 'n flop layin on Dad'z feetz when he'z inna kliner chair.

BigBed is shared... *I* take da *pillow pozishun* while Dad'z inna baffroom; then when Dad showz up; I get da foot warmur spot an Smoke krawlz unnr the blankie ta keep Dad warm (too HOT wiff all my Fur!)

Kar ridin?
*I* iz da Chief Ko-Pilot - ride standin tween da seetz makin sure Dad duzint make a rong turn. Smoke spendz hiz tyme lookin out da back side winnowz. I letz him play Ko-Pilot a lil bit. But when Dad getz out - *I* gotz *dibz* onna Pilot'z seet! Alluz getz a lotta *laffz* wiffa Lil Shepherd sittin purfiktly upright, starin out ober the steerin wheel! Folkz alluz ask Dad - "She gotta License!?"

An we PLAY reel Nice & Gud!
Rasslin, play nibblin on neckz an earz, chasin in cirkulz - purdy much equal allua tyme! Smoke's got dis *ting* he duz wiffa noze - Dad sez it'z his Noze Punch! When HE wuntz ta play - he runz up an PUNCHez" me inna ribz wiffa end of hiz NOZEbone! BOY! Duz THAT get yur attenshun inna Hurrie! Duz it ta Dad ebery so offin, too!

Den we gotta figgur in da KAT...
We tink dat HE tinkz dat He'z nummer UNO inna Howze!
We get ta play wiff him - az long az HE'z havin Phunn... but when he getz tiurd of bein *IT* - dem Klawz, Knivez, an Teefz let us knowe it'z tyme ta QUIT Chazin da Kat!

SmokeMutt here...
Yea, I let her THINK she's da Boss Dawg - it'z jest *eazier* dat way!
An she quit *humpin* me aftur the furst munth or so; so it'z not like I keep gettin reMinded allua tyme dat I'z *onlee* Nummer Two...!

An wiff her wuntin ta be Furst thru doorz - I find lettin her go *furst* iz a lot less wear 'n tear on me... She offin *furgetz* she gotta WAIT till DAD sez "OK"! LOTTA *false startz* an she gotta Come Back, SIT Down, WAIT!, then *OK - go*!
Me? I jest sitz my butt down in sekond place; an wait patiently while she goez thru a kupla false startz. I nebber eben blink till Dad lookz back an gibz my da *nod*! Whut'z da RUSH, Cinnerz? We'z all goin da same place - who karez who getz der furst!?

Dad sez we're *hoggin* da thread an we gotta stop *Yappin*!

[ChrisH]

Oh, Cinder & Smokey, I love the way you explain things!!

[aly]

Nope, there doesn't always have to be an alpha. In the dog behavior world, they are actually trying to get away from saying a dog is "dominant" or "alpha". Its such a blanket statement and usually dominance depends on the situation. Like with my dogs, they switch back and forth. Lolly cares more about going out for walks and Reece cares more about the treats. So Lolly's out doors first and Reece is fed first. (Of course, they wouldn't care even if I didn't treat/walk them first. They're very passive and would never get in a fight over anything).

[KYS]

Rocky is number 1
Sheba is number 2
Widdle 13 pound Pepper is 3


Sheba was alpha until she had a spat with Rocky a couple of years ago. She went down in rank.

Sheba is Alpha over Pepper and always lets her
know it.

Pepper and Rocky are buds, and
act like equals till one day Pepper refused to get out of
his food bowl.
Now Pepper knows Rocky is alpha over her but
they still play like buds.

I had a 14 pound Terrier (since passed away)
that was the bigest Alpha I have ever owned.
She even had Sheba shaking in her paws.
I guess it depends on the dogs.
I have also had 3 past dogs in our family that could care
less about pecking orders and shared everything.

[janiceruth]

My alpha is Pixie's daughter Amelia. Pixie was the alpha before her pups were born and full grown. Amelia and Lacie are sisters. Amelia is the aggressor as far as company and "things" getting into her yard and house, of course the three others are right behind her. She takes her job very seriously. I don't think that Sonny(yellow Lab.) even figures into the situation, because he considers himself on my level with me being his alpha. He could bite his three sisters in two, but makes a wide berth if they are being territorial about something. He won't go near their things unless I tell him he can, he will growl to protect his things if needed, but I've tried to teach them they all have "their" things period. They play with one another, but prefer that I am in on the play.
Labs are called velcro dogs for good reason. Amelia watches where I go, Pixie and Lacie may turn their heads, but Sonny is usually by my side.

[anna_66]

I'm not really sure who is alpha, Angus or Roxey.

When we had just Angus & Keisha, Keisha was most definately the alpha. Maybe now since Angus is in the place to be the head dog it's kinda hard for him. I think they're both alpha-one male alpha & one female alpha

But for sure, little Huney is at the bottom of the totem poll, and she knows it.

[cloverfdx]

penny(JRTx) is our alpha dog , and being the smallest she is fearless
then i would say clover(rotty x), then theo(chihuahua), though those two have had arguments before

clover will defend her food & territory(scary somtimes) and that is all (theo learnt not to stick his lil head in clovers food bowl lol)

oh and the cat who thinks she is a dog is the true alpha

[captain]

I would say Captain is the Alpha, because we treat him so ...... BUT Ruby does what ever she wants to Captain, and he just lets her ............

i.e. Lies on the same bed as Captain, until HE gets off!!!

................. soooo........ not sure what that says

[cocker_luva]

i only have 1 dog but she is the alpha dog in the whole neighborhood!!! she is one of the smallest too (the smallest is a shih tzu next door) the rest of the neighborhood consists of husky, german shepherd, lab mixes, other dog mixes and once an akita (they moved away ) the only dog that she fights with over dominancy is our neighbor's friend's dog. she is a chow mix, and is the dominant one in a house of a black and tan coonhound/bluetick coonhound mix and a rescued (very badly abused before they got her ) rottweiler.