So I am talking to a buddy at work and telling him of my snafu with my first post back on Leerburg in awhile. Anyway we start talking about our dogs, he has a female Golden whom he claims is an "Alpha Female". Now in my training experiences with my female Am Staff to be able to manage her DA, she has been called quite a few things..my favorite is "An Onion" because if you peel back the layers she is just trying to be a bully. Now my buddy says his dog is loving with all people - in other words behaves like one would expect from a Golden (his words), but will viscously attack another dog, any dog. He claims it is because she is an Alpha Female. Now I think, hmmmmmmm, that sounds like my PB, and I have heard other trainers (none of which I stayed with) an Alpha Female.

I thought my dog was out of control initially because I had conceded leadership, and partly due to the nature of her breed. But what exactly is referred to when you speak of an Alpha Female, is it the same as an Alpha Male????? Does anyone have any thoughts you would care to share with me so I might educate myself with this concept...or yet another hoax?????????

A dog with dog aggression issues does not equate to an alpha, whether male or female. You are correct in your presumptions about your dog, and your friend is confused.

Hi Valerie, I'm not an expert in behavior, but it was my understanding that all out dog aggression didn't necessarily stem from the highest form of dominance (which would be an "alpha" minded individual). Severe dog aggression *could* come from general breed temperment (as in the case of dogs bred to fight other dogs or animals), improper raising and socialization, fear, or just bad genes. For a golden (male or female) to be expressing this type of behavior, I'd be concerned about it's breeding...

It was also my understanding that in a wild pack, there is an alpha male AND an alpha female - each sort of ruled a different part of the roost, but played almost equally dominant roles in the group. It would make sense to me that there would be female dogs out there that embodied an "alpha" temperment, just like there are males (though I've heard a TRUE alpha temperment is actually quite rare - there is a great range of "dominant" personalities, but ALPHA is reserved for a very special individual).

I could be completely off base here, in which case, I'm sure I'll be corrected! But that's what popped into my head first...

~Natalya

Valerie,
Was your buddy braging or complaining about his out of control brat?
Like you Natalya, I must qualify my knowledge on pack structure, but I've always thought alpha meant alpha, numero uno. All others are second, at best.

If I'm not learning, I'm not paying attention.
Randy

Valerie,

My understanding is just the exact opposite of what your buddy is saying. For the most part the Alpha dog is extremely confident, calm and fair. It would not lash out at another dog unless it absolutely had to to protect itself or pack.

If you subscribe to Ceasars methods at all and watch him he never loses his cool or lashes out a dog, he calmy controls the situation with his confident, calm, dominant demeanor.

I haven't had the time to order Ed's Pack Structure video yet, but I'm sure he stresses the importance of staying calm, confident and fair to be considered a leader to your dog.

 Quote: randy allen

Valerie,
Was your buddy braging or complaining about his out of control brat?
Like you Natalya, I must qualify my knowledge on pack structure, but I've always thought alpha meant alpha, numero uno. All others are second, at best.

If I'm not learning, I'm not paying attention.
Randy

He was not complaining, just stating in a matter of fact way that she will just attack and they must be careful to always keep her on leash (I'm thinking..."well duuhhhhhh")I told him that my Lilly was like that and thats one of the reasons I worked so hard to get her under control. I recommended this site as a means to start and address the behavior he seemed to thinks is OK. Any behavior like this is disconcerning, but out of a PB it is IMO very irresponsible.

When I really got to the experts to disect my Lillys behavior so it could be rectified, Alpha Female was really never mentioned. I was told by my trainer that part of my dog "just loves to fight" (her breed), part of my dog feels she had to engage every dog she saw because she had assumed the pack leader role in our human pack (my bad!!!)and these other dogs if they came too close were seen as a threat, thus as the leader it was her job to protect.

Understanding her made it easier to do what was needed. I am happy to say when we are walking and she sees another dog, she on her own moves into a tight heel and looks up at me for a queue. Don't get me wrong I would not trust her around any other dog but for her house mate (a male APBT)....she is what she is, but I run the show now.

It is good to know that Alpha is not associated with aggression, but I hear it used as an excuse for DA all the time. I always wondered what the difference would be between the Alpha Female and the Alpha Male so thanks for the clarrification folks!!

Valerie,
So to be a little clearer. I don't think there is a distinct difference between alpha female and alpha male. The alpha is alpha in the pack, be it male or female. He or she is top dog. All others defer. Keith is right, top dogs don't unprovoked feel the need to enforce their position.
Your buddy's dog is just an out of control brat.

Randy