Everyone knows that the alpha dog is the leader. Well, I’ve met some families where the dog even leads the people. It could be a large, dominant male mastiff or a tiny little 6-pound Yorkie. Size doesn’t matter—what matters is that dogs are pack animals and every pack has a hierarchy. If your dog looks around and says, “I’m the alpha. I’m in charge here”, guess who makes up the rules? Guess who decides who’s sleeping where and what’s a chew toy and what isn’t? You can still be a wonderful dog person without giving up your rightful place. By setting clear boundaries and making consistent rules, you’ll a better relationship and in all likelihood, a more secure, confident dog.
