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Step 1
Establish a routine. In the wild, the leader of the pack shows the other dogs when they should do things. To establish yourself as the alpha dog, you have to be the one who tells your dog when it should eat, sleep and play.
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Step 2
Teach your dog basic commands. Training your dog to perform commands shows it that you are in charge. These basic commands, such as sit, come and stay will also help your dog to be a good steward for its breed.
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Step 3
Maintain control during feedings. Make your dog sit and wait for you to tell it to eat. The pack leader in the wild always eats first. Out of respect, the other dogs have to eat the left overs. When you feed your dog, it should sit while you put the food in the dish and wait until you say that it is okay for the dog to eat.
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Step 4
Play follow the leader. Always make your dog follow you. Make sure that you are the first to go through the door. Also, when you walk your dog, it should be on the side of you with only its nose in front of your knee.
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Step 5
Remove your dog from the area if you have to clean up after it. In the wild, the weaker dogs are the ones who clean up after everyone else. If you allow your dog to see you clean up after it, you are telling it that it is the alpha dog.
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Step 6
Discipline negative behaviors. The alpha dog in a wild pack of dogs is the disciplinarian. For example, if a dog is growling at another dog, the alpha dog will gently bite the growling dog on the ear as a way to say stop. You can discourage negative behavior from your dog by using a harsh voice. Sometimes, spraying your dog with a water bottle will discourage negative behaviors.
