Alpha

How can I establish my alpha role with my very alpha dog?

My Siberian Husky is a wonderful dog but she is also extremely stubborn and continually tries to assert her dominance- even to th point of mounting me. I'm not, by any means, easy going with her. I don't let her get away with trying to push my limits, but she constantly tries, to at least determine how much I'll take.



She's 5 years old and I've had her since she was 1. I've finally decided that I want to be the alpha, once and for all. How can I make this transition?

Public Comments

1. Watch Dog Whisperer on National Geographic friday evenings. He explains it very well :) If you don't get that channel you can pick up his stuff off ebay.
   
   
   
   If your into yahoo groups....check out our dog whisperer group :)
   
   
   
   http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/dogwhisperergroup/
2. google "NILIF".. it means "Nothing in Life is Free" its a training method in which you are teaching the dog that you are the Alpha, because you own and control everything. If she wants food, to go outside, attention, etc, she has to work for it.
3. http://sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/alpha.htm
4. don't be scared of her! whatever you do. my dad always did the stare tactic with our dogs, u make them look away from you.
   
   i've established rank with my dogs, i'm alpha, my husband is second then my 1 year old shiba inu (female), and finally the doberman puppy (male).
   
   even when SHE tries to assert her leadership over the puppy when i step in he knows that SHE is outranked.
   
   rank is a beautiful thing once its established. just don't give in, even if u have to been extremely hard with her, she'll get it eventually.
   
   good luck!
5. I also have a Siberian Husky fortunately soon after getting the puppy I read an article about them being so dominant. I may be very difficult to teach your 5 year old "who is the boss". May seem harsh but try slapping a newspaper on your hand and saying no in a loud voice, the sound of this works on my husky. Huskies also have to feel that obeying you is worth the consequence that follows, ONLY praise the dog when she does what you want, anything else deserves a NO and a newspaper. Huskies will ALWAYS try to see how far they can get, just show them love and discipline, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
6. http://www.leerburg.com/301.htm
7. So for four years you've let her have her way? Now you want to be boss? It is going to be much harder now. But, the good news is it can be done. You have to make her do your will not her own. Training is whats needed here (for you and your dog). Don't allow your dog to have control. Get a crate and every time the dog tries to mount you put her in it with a sharp no. As dumb as it may sound don't let the dog enter a doorway before you. Don't allow the dog to eat until it performs a command. If you are walking the dog each time it tries to walk in front of you yank the lead and make her walk by your side at your chosen gate.Little things that you may think are insignificant are what dogs recognize as dominance. A dog is supposed to fit in to your world not the other way around. Soon the dog will figure out you are the boss. While trying these methods research and learn where you are making your mistakes. By dominance I hope you don't mean aggression? If thats the case you will need harsher methods and a muzzle until the dog figures it out.
8. Hi there,
   
   Its never too late to establish your role in your pack with your husky. I have a similarly obnoxious wannabe dom husky who ever now & then will see if he can throw a paw over and initiate a mount. Usually its when I'm on the floor interacting so its kinda inviting to him I guess.
   
   But if any of my dogs(including Mr. Obnoxious) tries ANY behavior I'm not happy with, I simply correct and then refuse to engage. If that means pushing him roughly back with a loud "NO" and then getting up and walking away, so be it.
   
   If it means taking it as far as putting them outside for a time-out, then so be it.
   
   NILF, as mentioned by another Answerer, is a fabulous method for establishing your Alpha role. My dogs have to sit for EVERYTHING they get and if they start getting too pushy or crazy, then I make them sit even more. IT has worked.
   
   You can look on my website as well for some Alpha training tips.
   
   
   
   best of luck,