Being the "Alpha"

[lilybellesmom]

I read this and thought it was interesting:

The stare

Eye contact is one of the ways order is kept in a wolf pack. Only an alpha animal may use the stare to remind everyone who is in charge. When you initiate eye contact, you express your alpha position. Encourage your pup to maintain eye contact for several seconds, making it a pleasant experience. Do not force him to do so. Use the term "watch me" and always praise him the instant you have eye contact. However, you do not want to try to do this with a dog who thinks he is already in charge of things. The dog must know you are the leader first. Otherwise you will begin a stare-down contest. An alpha dog will not be willing to be first to avert his eyes. If you are the first to avert or even blink your eyes, it will help confirm the dog's alpha status.

I wondered sometimes why they never look at me straight on, I mean they do for a bit, but then avert their eyes when I continue talking to them. I always thought they were ignoring me LOL:lol2:

I couldn't imagine doing this to an aggressive dog that is someone else's but this is what I see of my own babies.

What do you all think?

[jdy]

Daeroni will look at me for 5 seconds or less then look away, he is a sweet boy! Deuci on the other hand will do a stare down contest with me but after 30 seconds he comes and licks me :lol2:

[Morkie4]

I don't know Laurie, but I have read that before myself. That you should never stare down a dog. Mine don't seem to mind how long we stare at each other, but they never take their eyes off of me ...........maybe it is the sweet talk that I express with the stare that keeps them looking at me! But they know I am the packleader when I have to correct and scold them.......we are all clear on that! :):p :p :p :p

[Zo zo's mom]

Laurie eye contact is part of Zo zo's doggy training. I think happy thoughts (like I love you...you are a good girl...) when I look at her so she doesn't think I am trying to be mean. I want her to know she needs to look at me, but I don't want to scare her to death either.

[Morkie4]

Laurie eye contact is part of Zo zo's doggy training. I think happy thoughts (like I love you...you are a good girl...) when I look at her so she doesn't think I am trying to be mean. I want her to know she needs to look at me, but I don't want to scare her to death either.

I am sure that when Zo zo looks into your eyes, all she sees is a loving look from you and I bet even when you give her a serious stare, you have a smile showing!:p :p

[mia's mom]

Mia never looks at me straight on she always looks at me from the corner of her eye. Now Cody looks lovingly into my eyes then pounces on me to lick me! Does that mean I'm the alpha or is he letting me know he is in charge? Cody in charge wait it would be lick central if that little boy was in charge!:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

[lilybellesmom]

Mia never looks at me straight on she always looks at me from the corner of her eye. Now Cody looks lovingly into my eyes then pounces on me to lick me! Does that mean I'm the alpha or is he letting me know he is in charge? Cody in charge wait it would be lick central if that little boy was in charge!:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

Cody is so adorable!!!! What a sweetheart!!!:hearter: