| Technically speaking, dogs as a separate species | | | | to maintain the discipline and harmony of the pack. |
| are supposed to be evolved from the wolves. | | | | Till today the pack mentality of some breeds of |
| Research indicates that the wolf mutated into | | | | dogs requires that they be led. |
| several breeds, according to the climate, | | | | What's the big deal about being Alpha? |
| geography and the environment. As these | | | | The big deal about being Alpha of the pack is that |
| separate breeds were assimilated and socially | | | | it's the alpha dog that gets the respect. He's the |
| integrated into the human society, they became | | | | top dog who is at the top of the social structure. |
| distinct as the domesticated dog. So you see, | | | | He not only command the respect, he is also |
| what we have as the pure bred dogs today, | | | | obeyed. His word is the rule that must be |
| might not share the blood of the wolves any | | | | adhered to. The moment he lays stake to the |
| more but they do retain some instincts. One of | | | | leadership of the pack, all the rest have to fall into |
| these is the pack mentality. | | | | line. Obedience is forthcoming and discipline |
| Part of a Pack | | | | becomes a way of life. Simply put, if you are the |
| Living in a pack made it easier for a breed to | | | | Alpha dog, you're the one in charge. |
| care for each other and provided the comforts of | | | | Usually the alpha dog is male which is why if your |
| home, hearth and companionship. But not all were | | | | pet is a female, she is more likely to accept your |
| equal in a pack. There had to be a leader, who | | | | position of control. An alpha dog is always much |
| could unite them and dictate the terms for the | | | | more confident, fearless and in control. The alpha |
| rest. This was the Alpha. The pack was so | | | | dog is also more affectionate which makes him a |
| structured that the Alpha had the first and last | | | | good pet. This dog knows his way around and can |
| say. He led the pack. He ate first. He decided the | | | | bully anyone into a corner or make anyone |
| movement of the pack. The rest had to accept | | | | succumb to his charms. There is no need to be |
| his dominance and follow. | | | | big to be the alpha. You just need that mental |
| Submission to the Alpha dog was absolute, | | | | makeup to lead and dominate others. |
| because he was stronger, more powerful, and | | | | Dogs, ever since they have been domesticated, |
| wiser and it wasn't easy to defeat him. Any one | | | | are the only unique species that has accepted the |
| who tried to challenge the leadership was hunted | | | | dominance of human beings. The tag, "Man's best |
| down. If the Alpha of the pack was powerful, | | | | friend", comes from the fact that they have |
| there was no room for dissent and the motto | | | | learned to live with human beings, not because |
| was "Follow the leader". | | | | they are stupid enough to take orders, but |
| Consequently, the pack unity was attributed to | | | | because they are intelligent enough to discern the |
| the Alpha. Rules were set by the Alpha and the | | | | owner who can command their respect, just like |
| others picked up his lead. Somehow this one | | | | the alpha in their pack. Take a look around and |
| leader helped reign in the inherent wildness in the | | | | you will see that there will be one person in the |
| individual members and convert them into a | | | | family, whom the dog will respect above all the |
| coherent group. Think about it- a whole bunch of | | | | others- that person is the alpha who they have |
| untamed species, united under a powerful leader | | | | decide to follow. |