To Buy or Adopt, To Alpha or Not
Tip 1:
Do I need to be the 'Alpha?'
This question has been asked since the 1970s when the term was coined. Where did it come from? Do you, in fact, need to show your dog you're the boss?
In a word. No.
An American biologist, David Mech, drew on studies - and conducted studies himself - of wolves taken from different packs and placed into confinement. What he observed of wolves in captivity was wolves fighting to be the 'pack leader' or 'Alpha' wolf. In the 1970s, he published a book with his observations and thus the term was born.
He later discovered that wolves in the wild do not behave this way. They live as a family unit consisting of a father, mother, and offspring. Mech renounced the notion of the 'Alpha' in 1999.
If you'd like to hear it explained from the man himself, check out this video.
Tip 2:
The Great Debate: Adopt or Shop?
There seems to be a stigma against getting a dog from a breeder. This is understandable to a degree: there are many dogs in shelters who need homes, and backyard/commercial breeders who are out to make a buck are rampant.
However, there are also ethical, responsible breeders out there who care about raising healthy, well-socialized puppies and ensure they go to a good home. Deciding to raise a dog is a big commitment, whether you choose to adopt or go with a breeder. If you choose to rescue, support a rescue that promotes force-free, positive reinforcement- based training. If you decide to work with a breeder, make sure they are reputable. Stay away from internet classified sites. Here are some tips from Humane Canada on how to choose the right breeder.
Thought Of The Week
We are often concerned about how to stop undesirable behaviour in our dogs (and, I mean, I get it - there are days when I just wish the barking would end!). What if we taught them what we would like them to do instead? If we train an opposite behaviour to the problem behaviour, our dogs learn that it's more rewarding to do something other than, say jumping all over our face. Train a solid sit-stay instead of jumping. Reinforce calm behaviours around people and dogs. Reward settling on a mat during meal times instead of begging at the table. We can give our dogs more clarity this way instead of simply saying 'NO.' Remember, your dog doesn't speak English!