Originally posted by bckrazy
Some dogs are just 'Alpha', and don't do very well at dog parks, where there are plenty of unruly, hyper, playful, ball-chasing dogs that could easily aggrivate them.
I just wanted to add another 2 cents about Alpha dogs. Your dog may be alpha or it may not be. It is clearly dog on dog aggressive though. A true alpha dog doesn't have to exert force on the weeker of the pack. Just their presence is enough to let other dogs know who is top dog. They are usually secure in their ranking and unless challenged don't have to show force. Aggressive and alpha are two different subjects.

My Dixie is a very alpha female. I never worry about her at the dog park. She just does her thing (usually marking her territory) and doesn't try to interact with the other dogs. That isn't to say she doesn't greet them. After the usual butt sniffing is over, she goes about her business again. Other dogs never try to mess with her. I just thinks it's an air she puts off telling them she's boss! She never tries to attack other dogs to let them know she's boss. She just is!

Dusty is not alpha although at one point in his adolesence he did try to challenge Dixie. It was a trying couple of months in our house. However, he lost that battle and realizes now his momma is boss. He is aggressive however over his frisbee and some girls. I don't stay away from the dog park, I just make sure I'm always on guard for potential problems and nip them in the bud before the occur. I am secure though in my dogs obedience and know that even with distractions, they understand they have to listen to me.