Alpha Schmalpha. The Concept Formerly Known as 'Alpha'
When I became a dog trainer, we used the term Alpha (challenging authority or dominance can replace this word) to describe almost every undesireable trait a dog would exhibit, from who ate first to pulling on the leash, to jumping up on people or refusing to make eye contact. I applied the principle like a good apprentice should.
Then I met Susan. Susan is a wealthy Calgary widow with 4 dogs: 2 large male boxers, a chocolate lab and a beagle. She was well respected by her dogs who never jumped on her, yet her style was completely the opposite of anything I had learned. She called me in to work on the dog's household behaviour with the staff: as they were constantly jumping on the housekeeper, gardener, driver and handyman. This case really led me to question my approach.
I began to research what the term "Alpha" really meant, and did dogs actually scheme to be the Pack Leader? Were dogs so keenly 'tapped in' to human and canine social interaction that if they saw a leadership gap, would they attempt to fill it? Did they want to be authority over us? Did they see themselves as equal to human, or greater than? Did they want to rule the world, or just live peacably within it?
While doing my research I came across a lot of useful information, and I continue to find great information which de-bunks the theory time after time.
NOT all behaviour problems are caused by dominance. In a nutshell, it's a lack of boundaries and direction on the owner's part. A dog cannot make sense of our rules and expectations unless we teach them with love and patience.
Click on the link:
Splash has a Rally Novice leg!
This winter I signed up my old dog Splash and her great grandson for Rally classes to do something
new and different, and get us out of the house in the cold weather to work 1:1
(my brother handled Topaz.)
This Easter Sunday I entered both at the Red Deer Show in Alberta. Topaz (the male) and I
went first and gave me a lesson in SR (Slow Reaction), TL (tight leash) and
HE (handler error.)
Well really, he set me up for working with Splash!
Even though it was far from perfection, Splash and I achieved a score of 79, which
qualified for
SECOND place, a big rosette and her FIRST LEG in Rally-Novice, at 11.5 years old.
Just goes to show you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Although I can't take ALL the
credit: I adopted Splash 5 years ago from her owner Lisa Porter, who put a CD title
on her long before we ever met. I was just dusting off some oldskills
Splash already had, but it still feels pretty darn good!!!
Rhys and Bhindi were entered in Conformation, where Rhys took Reserve Winners Bitch,
but this doesn't equal any points...
3 new CGN titles!
Say hello to 3 new Canine Good Neighbours!!
Rhys is now Pikkinokka's Lunar Eclipse CGN
Mercedes is now Tollwest Turn'n 4 Tollchester CGN
and Bhindi is now Daintree's Molto Grazie CGN!!
This title is achieved after completing a 10-station test to determine the dog's reactivity/obedience and general good-doggedness. For more information about what the test is all about, check out the following link: