Also I had wanted our Boxer to be the alpha. She is older and I wanted her to teach the Am Staff. We gave the boxer food first, let her walk though the door first, all of that, but the Am Staff is the alpha. She just has a stronger personallity and the boxer let her. I personally though the boxer would never let her, but it works. She was alpha with her jack russel brother growing up, but I think she likes not being alpha now!!!