There are three positions in the pack. Their traditional designations, especially when describing a wolf pack, are alpha, beta, and omega. There is usually one alpha couple, a male and a female, that lead the whole pack. They have a number of betas subservient to them, with the omegas subservient to everyone else.
According to the pack code, alphas are at the front of the line, betas are in the middle, and omegas are in the back and double as lookouts. If your dog follows you, this indicates it sees you as the pack leader and is exhibiting the instinctive behavior of walking behind the alpha.
Signs of dominant behavior in dogs:
Resistance to voice commands. Aggressive response to eye contact or verbal correction. Food guarding or other aggressive behavior while eating. Persistence about leading the way on walks or through entryways.
In wild dog packs, there is both an alpha female and an alpha male; the male being the general leader, but the respective alpha male and female roles aren't in competition with each other; rather, they're so very different as to be symbiotic and complementary.
The leader is usually the biggest and strongest dog. The leader eats first and then allows the others to eat and determines what they eat. The leader gets the best spots and usually sits in a place above the other dogs. The leader is the first to greet or check out newcomers to the pack.
Like their human counterparts, dogs develop favorite people over time based on positive experiences and positive associations with that person. Some people use tasty treats and other rewards to create strong bonds with pets, but the best way to build a healthy relationship with your dog is through play.
But most dogs tend to bond to the person who gives them the most attention. For example, in a family with two parents and two kids, the dog may favor the parent who fills their bowl every morning and takes them for a walk every evening. In addition, physical affection solidifies the bond between dog and person.
It is important to know that, unlike many social groups of animals, there is no dominance or linear hierarchy for dogs (social structure with clear ranking where each animal in the group is dominant over those below it and submissive to those above it).
If the dog is allowed on the bed or the couch with you, he is your equal. A prudent rule of thumb to establish hierarchy is to expect all four paws on the ground at all times. Provide the dog with his own space such as a crate, bed, or a pen. Teach him to be independent and enjoy his own space.
A pack that works together stays together! Two dogs are considered a "pair," while more than two are considered a "pack." With this said, you can begin working your dogs as a team with various command exercises.
Most dogs assume a neutral or submissive role toward people, but some dogs will challenge their owners for dominance. A dominant dog may stare, bark, growl, snap, or even bite when you give him a command or ask him to give up a toy, treat, or resting place.
In the wild, the pack leader uses calm-assertive energy to influence how the dog interacts with his surroundings. She enforces these laws in a quiet way, as is the case when a mother picks up a puppy by the scruff of the neck if he strays outside the den. Ownership of territory is very important.
The fact that your dog is trying to control you – by keeping your away from its possessions – is one of the keys to recognizing that your dog thinks they're alpha. Your dog stares into your eyes and does not turn away. A dog that stares in your eyes is actually considered “rude” in dog world.
Wild dogs exhibit similar behaviors, opting to sleep in small, confined areas with pack members they trust to protect against predators. When your dog sleeps right next to you, he is demonstrating trust in his “alpha” human.
In neutered males and in females the sex does not necessarily make them prone to fight. All dogs have different dominancy levels within the same breed be they male or female. It's the level of dominancy which effects fighting, not the sex of the dog.
Dominant dog body language
When your dog is feeling confident and dominant, he or she will have a strong, positive body position. There will also be signs of alertness: rigid muscles and tail; raised fur; an attempt to make direct eye contact; and a closed mouth, sometimes accompanied by a soft growl.
If your dog follows you everywhere then it's most likely a sign that they love and adore you. When dogs interact with someone they like, the hormone oxytocin is released. Oxytocin is often referred to as the 'love hormone' and makes you feel that warm glow when you're around someone you like.
Of the dogs that showed a clear preference, 58.3 percent were right-handed. 41.7 percent of the dogs that showed a paw preference were left-handed. Comparatively, only 10.6 percent of humans are left-handed, which proves that dogs are far more likely to be left-handed than humans.
Dogs at the Middle of the Pack
They have no one providing direction so will test the limits. These dogs can also become easily bored. If your dog is getting into the trash, chewing up the sofa, or otherwise destroying the place when you're not home, then you probably have a middle of the pack dog.
The 'Rule of Three' means that you can gauge the time it might take for your dog to fully acclimate to his home in threes: three days, three weeks, and three months. Think of your new dog's first 3 days as their time to decompress as they transition from a shelter or foster home into your home.
The alphas always lead the pack. So if your dog lets you go through a door, then it's a sign that he is following your lead. A pack leader has the responsibility of leading and protecting the rest of the pack. Your dog will be looking for protection by letting you face anything dangerous on the other side of the door.
Why is my dog putting his paws on me? In addition to a way to say "I love you," your dog might paw at you if it needs something like food or a potty break. Anxious dogs might also paw at you for comfort or to request some space. Other dogs may paw at you to signify they need some activity time.
As a pack leader, you lead the way. Your dog will let you walk through the door before him out of respect for the leader. This instinctive rule also applies in the wild, where small dogs will not enter the cave before the alpha.