Many people think that the alpha wolf is the biggest meanest toughest wolf in the pack. Thats just not so.
This I know. The dominent dog is not always the biggest, or meanest. I have sen amny cases, one in my own home. Grissom is the boss in my home, and he's a Corgi living with a 90lb Shepherd mix, and a Boxer.
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A natural wild wolf pack is made up of a daddy wolf, a mama wolf, and their offspring. As in most human families, daddy wolf is in charge with mama wolf close behind. Daddy is obeyed because he is daddy and has years of experience and much more knowledge than the others. They follow him and learn from him. No one challenges him the daddy wolf the same as in a human family. The children don't challenge daddy to take his place of dominance in the family. They may not always do what he says and they are punished but he his authority is not seriously challenged.
I am in no way trying to say that a play group of dogs functions to the extreme of a natural pack of wolves. I do howeve believe that there are more dominent dogs. I see it all the time. How else would you explain marking habits, submissive behavior, and dominent behavior?
The idea of an "alpha" dog running roughshod over the others is nothing more than an unsocialized dog not knowing how to interact with other dogs. These dogs can be taught proper behavior without using "alpha" methods yourself. They can be taught using positive training methods.
I disagree. I see how different groups function. For example, in my group of dogs at home, Grissom is definately the boss, then Champ, and Annie is super submissive, and will stand down to anything, be it them taking a toy from her, to them taking her dinner. However, in daycare, Grissom turns into Mr. Submissive. Champ is dominent, and Annie is too young to know what she is, she has not learned proper communication yet, but is getting there. When a new male comes into the play yard, Champ will size him up, every time. Throw his head over the other dog's shoulders, and if the other dog submits, all is well, and they'll even play nicely together. If the other dog doesn't, they do not play, and may even snap at eachother throughout the day. Grissom will run up to the new dog, and flop over to expose his belly.
I have a hard time swallowing that Champ is "unsocialized" and not knowing how to interact when he has spent the last two years in daycare, plays very nicely, and and is excellent at both calming signals, and warning signals.