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Alpha Dog Training

How to Become the Pack Leader

Alpha dog training is important for every dog, not just an alpha male or female dog because you need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack in your home.

Most dog behavior problems start when there is confusion about who is actually in charge.  Or, worse yet, when the dog is in charge!

3 gray wolves demonstrate alpha dog training
Believe it or not, your dog’s ancestors were wolves. And they still have a lot in common when you consider their pack mentality.

Fortunately, this is easily remedied.  When you have made it clear to your dog that you are the alpha male or female in the pack, dog behavior problems are easy to resolve.

This article will discuss:

  • The Dog-Wolf Connection
  • Alpha Dog Training and Pack Rules
  • How Dog Packs Work
  • Signs That Your Dog is in Charge
  • How to Become the Pack Leader
  • The 5 Golden Rules You Need to Follow

The Dog-Wolf Connection

Wolf pack
Your dog is most comfortable in a pack, just like his wolf ancestors.

Dogs are direct descendants of wolves and, even though we have tamed them and domesticated them, they still have wolf instincts.

In fact, all dogs originated with a single species of wolf that lived more than 10,000 years ago in Europe.

Even though dog breeds look very different from each other, the evidence indicates that they all do come from the same ancestor.

Wolves live in a pack and they have a strong social structure and very strict rules within the pack.  Dogs have developed the wolf instincts for social structure and pack rules.

That makes it very easy for them to fit into a human family.  That’s also why it is really important to make sure that the leadership of the pack is clear.

Alpha Dog Training and Pack Rules

Your dog still thinks and acts like a wolf even though she is hundreds of generations away from her wolf ancestors.  She does not think like you, a human.  This is important to keep in mind when training your dog.

Wolves fighting for position in the pack
Wolves fight for position in the pack. If your dog thinks she is the leader, she will fight to maintain her position.

Dogs are comfortable in a pack.  The rules are well defined.  Each member knows its position in the hierarchy of the pack, and he is fine with it.

Knowing where he fits in the pack pecking order helps a dog to feel safe and comfortable.  It helps him feel secure.

Dogs do not have a pressing need to be the alpha dog in a pack.  But they do need to know who the leader is.  Once in a while, someone will challenge the leader, but a strong alpha always comes out on top.

How Dog Packs Work

angry wolf snarling
If your dog is the pack leader, she may defend her position, like this wolf. This leads to major behavior problems like aggression.

While all pack members defer to the dominant male or alpha, it is very important that you, as a human member of the pack, take that role.

Dogs in a pack respect, obey and follow those above them.  They want to please the leader.

From your dog’s point of view, someone needs to be in charge.  That needs to be you and your family members!

Leaders have certain privileges.  In your home, those privileges include food, toys and the most comfortable bed.

If a lower ranking dog tries to usurp one of those privileges from the leader, he will be disciplined by the alpha.

 Signs That Your Dog is in Charge

Dog behavior problems often stem from your dog’s understanding that she is in charge of your family.  Without knowing it, we often reinforce that idea.

How can you know if you have a dominance problem?  Your little Bichon dog will show you by:

  • Guarding toys – When you get close, your dog growls, snaps or shows her teeth.
  • Guarding foods – You see the same kind of behavior when you are near your dog when she is eating.
  • Furniture guarding – Your dog decides that he likes a certain piece of furniture. When told to get off, the dog refuses.
  • Demanding attention – Your dog whines, barks or pokes her paw at you and doesn’t stop until you do what she wants. So often we think this is cute, but it is a sign of dominance.
  • Interrupting dinner – This can be rather annoying. Never feed your dog at the table and remove him from the room if he continues to disturb your dinner.

If you find that you do have a dominance issue, then alpha dog training to establish that you are the pack leader, is in order.

How to Become the Pack Leader

Becoming the pack leader is really quite simple if you know how.  Doggy Dan’s Online Dog Trainer system illustrates the principles that he calls the 5 Golden Rules.

I’ll list the rules for you below.  But first, take a look at this video.  The lady who is talking was having all kinds of behavior problems with her dogs.  After a consultation with Dan, she and her husband started using the rules.  I’ll let you see how it worked for them.


The 5 Golden Rules

If you follow these rules in your home, your job of dog training will become quite easy.  These rules are Doggy Dan’s and you can see 129 dog training videos and get tons of information for 3 days, for just $1.

  1. Food – Never feed your dog at the table.  You always eat first.  Use gesture eating when feeding your dog.  To do this, you pretend to sample or eat your dog’s food before giving it to him.  This shows that you are the leader or the top dog.  Your dog eats after you are through.
  2. Danger – The pack leader protects the underlings.  So, in the face of danger (postman, oil delivery truck in the driveway, neighbor knocking at the door), you remain calm and handle the situation.  To calm your dog you may have to use the Doggy Dan “calm freeze”, where you hold the front of your dog’s collar loosely, while turning your back to the perceived danger.
  3. Arriving home – When the alpha male and female arrive back at the den, they ignore the lower ranking dogs.  This signals to the others that everything is OK and that they are still in charge.  When you arrive home after being away, do not touch, speak to your dog or give him eye contact.  After a few minutes, when your dog is relaxed, call your dog and give him affection.  Simple, but your dog will understand the significance.
  4. Everything on your terms – Pack leaders make the decisions.  You should initiate everything.  Do not allow attention seeking behavior.  Call your dog to you and then give him affection.
  5. Taking a walk – Train your dog to walk off leash and on a leash without pulling.  Dan shows how to do this in his video course.

Because dogs think like dogs, not humans, we need to step in and establish that we are in charge of our dog/human family. This is done gently, without harsh punishment or words.

Taking this simple step will make training your dog a breeze and will avoid most behavior problems.

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Training Your Dog to Sit

Training your dog to sit can help you keep your Bichon Frise under control when she is excited or anxious.

“Sit” is the primary command for any Bichon Frise puppy. There are many reasons for this, but safety ranks at the top of the list.

A Bichon Frise dog startles and becomes distracted as easily as any other young dog, which can put him in harm’s way.

By training your dog to sit on command, you can protect and control your dog’s actions in difficult situations, even from a distance.

Training your dog to sit helps keep him safe under difficult conditions.
When your dog knows that you are the leader of the Pack, she will sit nicely on command. Learn how easy that is to do…

Obedience Training for Sitting

Choose a specific command for “sit” and a reward–and use both regularly. Some trainers suggest combining hand signals with verbal cues. Your Bichon needs to understand the concept of “sit” before this combination works, however.

Once he associates the word with the actual act of sitting, you can add a hand signal as reinforcement (such as two fingers on one hand moving from parallel to the ground, down to the ground).

Two Bichon Frise dogs sitting, with cute apparel.
These two Bichons are sitting nicely.

How to Train Your Dog to Sit

Your Bichon Frise has tons of energy, so go to a quiet space for training a puppy, one where you can minimize distractions. Make sure that you have some puppy training treats in your pocket.

Hold a puppy treat or small piece of food above your dog’s nose and say, “Sit”.  While you are doing this, slowly move the food straight back so that it ends up behind your puppy’s head.

When you do this, your puppy’s bottom will end up touching the floor.  This is the time to give her a reward and tell her that you are pleased.

Repeat this several times.  Practice makes perfect.

Now, use less drama with your hand signal and give a verbal command.  It won’t be long until your puppy understands what the command, “Sit” means.

Practice your puppy’s new command for a short while.  Puppies do have limited attention spans, so give your puppy a break when she needs it.

To make your life easier, take a look at Doggie Dan’s simple but effective dog training videos.  You can view dozens of training videos here.

Practice the Sit Command

Set aside a few minutes each day for your Bichon Frise puppy to practice learning how to sit on command.

If you have a family, make sure all family members use the same commands or signals. Otherwise you will confuse your dog.

Additionally it may be best to avoid learning any other “tricks” while training your dog to sit. Let your Bichon master one command at a time, then move on to commands like “stay” or “lie down”.

If you remain consistent with praise and rewards it shouldn’t be long before obeying the “sit” command becomes second nature to your dog.

Choose Bichon Frise training treats, keeping in mind that Bichons have allergies and they are a small dog breed that needs healthy dog treats.

Training treats are easy to choose with our dog training treat tips on choosing the best training treats for your small dog breed pet.

Puppy Treats for Training to Sit

How to Choose a Treat for Your Puppy

TruDog salmon dog treats
When you are training your puppy, make sure that you give him healthy dog treats like this one.

Not every dog training treat is right for your Bichon. Small dog breeds simply can’t handle great big dog treats and large chews.  But they do love a treat as a reward when you are training your dog to sit!

Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing dog treats for your pet:

  • Size of dog treat – Bichon Frises do well with smaller or mini dog treats. Many dog treats come in different sizes. Check to see how large the treats are—before you order!
  • Hard or soft – As Bichons get older, many have difficulty with bad teeth. If your dog is now a senior with poor teeth and gums, you should consider getting soft dog treats, instead of the hard ones she ate as a young dog.
  • Flavors – While many of us have become very cost conscious, don’t forget your dog’s favorite flavors. Every dog will develop likes and dislikes, so don’t spend less money and get dog treats that your dog simply doesn’t like…
  • Age of your dog – Since most of us give our dogs more treats than we should, make sure that the treats are age-appropriate for your dog and they add nutrients to your dog’s diet…

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Leash Training a Puppy

Leash training a puppy is one of the most difficult training exercises for most pet owners. Far more difficult than teaching your dog to obey simple commands like sit or come.

Your Bichon Frises have tons of energy. You can offset some of that seemingly limitless activity with exercise and obedience training.

But you will still need to train your puppy to walk beside you, on a leash.

Walking on a leash is important because it will keep your dog safe from traffic and under your control. In addition, many public places like malls or parks, require that dogs be leashed.  You can’t get around this, folks.  Your dog needs to be leash trained.

 

Man being dragged by a Bichon Frise on a leash
Are you walking your Bichon Frise dog or is she taking you for a walk?

You’ll find that your Bichon Frise puppy is eager to please you most of the time, but leash training a puppy can be quite a different story. It frequently turns into a tugging match for your and your beloved puppy!

Thankfully, there are ways to get your pup involved with leash training and even enjoy it!

Bichon Frise pulling on leash
In a perfect world, your cute little puppy would walk along nicely beside you. But the reality is that puppies have a natural tendency to tug on their leashes.

Leash Training Puppies

So what do you do first and how do you get your puppy interested?

Step one for puppy leash training is finding a proper collar for your pup–one that’s light weight with a dog ID tag. Measure your Bichon Frise puppy’s neck to determine which size collar to buy.

You’ll also need to get a dog lead. You don’t need a terribly long leash but make sure that the hook portion isn’t so heavy that it makes your tiny pup uncomfortable.

Tips on Leash Training

  • Combine puppy leash training with crate training – One of the easiest ways to begin leash training is by combining it with crate training. Put your pup’s collar on before taking her from the crate. Let her get used to the sensation of having her collar on. After several times begin adding the leash. At this point you will not be leading the dog anywhere. Just let her walk around the house with the leash on, getting used to the feel of it.
  • Potty runs – Depending on the age of your dog you can carry him to the chosen potty area. When you reach the spot, hold onto the leash (which is attached to your dog). Remember to use positive reinforcement and any potty training words you’ve used regularly. It won’t take long before your Bichon associates the leash with getting out of her “den” and going outside with you. Just being with her human is very exciting and creates more of a pack mentality too.Man walking small white dog

Taking your dog out in public is so much more fun when she is leash trained!

  • Short walks – Once your Bichon Frise responds well to the leash for potty time, you can begin taking her on short walks near your home. Talk to your puppy every step of the way using encouraging tones. If she gets distracted stop talking momentarily. Once she’s back on track, return to supportive interaction. At the end of a successful walk, it’s time for treats and plenty of loving.
  • Add new commands – Over time, extend the length of your walk and the training you provide during it. Practice “sit” when you meet a friend, for example. Practice “release” or “drop it” when your puppy picks up something unhealthy from the ground.

Success with Leash Training a Puppy

This demonstration shows how Doggie Dan’s training methods can help even the most stubborn dog.  Watch dozens of training videos for just $1  now…

Between training sessions, work on building your relationship with your pooch. The tone of your voice tells your dog that she’s doing a good job for her pack leader.

As with any other aspect of behavior training, you will need to set aside time, and you need to be consistent and patient with your puppy.

By using praise and love with your Bichon, you’ll find that she responds positively. Soon you’ll be happily and safely walking your dog around the neighborhood or the local dog park, without the familiar tugging on her leash.

Get access to dog training videos now…
 

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Best Dog Training Treat

What is the best dog training treat for your Bichon Frise? That will depend on your dog’s preferences and how you feel about healthy dog treats.

Puppy treats come in all shapes, sizes and flavors (including gluten free dog treats!), and the best dog training treats are healthy, in addition to being tasty.

Using positive reinforcement and healthy puppy treats, is an ideal way to teach your dog good habits and tricks.

Bichon Frise dog training treat
Dog treats for training should be tasty and small, because you will give your puppy a little treat often, to reinforce good behavior.

Bichon Frise Puppy Treats

When choosing a dog training treat you want to find something that your dog likes and a treat that supports your pup’s health, energy and overall well being.  After all, a treat doesn’t do much good if your dog won’t eat it, or if it’s bad for her.

  • Teething – When your puppy is teething, the best type of treat is one that’s crunchy. Not only does this deter his chewing on household items, but it also encourages healthy teeth and gums. Many veterinarians and pet stores carry dental dog treats that discourage tartar build up too!
  • Fresh Veggies – Some people prefer to use fresh vegetables as dog treats.  Why not try baby carrots? Your dog will love them, and they’re a very healthy puppy treat because they will not make your dog fat. Your dog will also love the crunch!
  • Read the Labels – When you’re looking at the labels for puppy treats, avoid any that have fat and sugar. Dog treats with sugar and excessive fat only make your puppy hyperactive and they’re stuffed with empty calories. Healthy alternatives include liver treats, chicken strips and fish flakes. No matter what, do not give your puppy any more than 15% of his total daily diet in snack foods.

Having an overweight puppy or dog can lead to other problems including heart disease.  So starting your Bichon Frise dog on healthy puppy treats from the get-go, is definitely the best path for a long relationship.

In choosing a dog training treat remember that you can make some of your own goodies for your Bichon by freezing bits of apple, watermelon, green beans and broccoli and letting him enjoy them on a hot summer day outside.

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Therapy Dog Training

Thinking of therapy dog training for your Bichon Frise? Bichons make great therapy dogs because they are gentle, quick learners, and they love to please their people.

The key to the success of a therapy dog is that the dog should be social, affectionate, outgoing, confident and intelligent.  That describes the typical Bichon Frise!

Therapy dogs receive training for very specific situations.  Some provide assistance in hospitals or nursing homes, others in schools.  Still others provide aid in disaster ridden regions.

To be a good therapy dog, your Bichon needs to be comfortable meeting unfamiliar people.  Keep in mind that everyone will want to pet and touch your dog, so she will need to be OK with being touched, as well.

Therapy dog training for Bichon Frises
Therapy dog training is a natural for the cute and friendly Bichon Frise breed.

Additionally therapy dogs may learn tricks that entertain people, taking their minds off their physical or emotional troubles. That just happens to be one of the Bichon’s favorite activities!

Therapy Dog Certification Requirements

If you’re considering putting your Bichon Frise into a therapy dog program, bear in mind that most places that use therapy dogs require certification.

The certification process varies somewhat, based on the organization involved.

Not all groups require therapy dog training beforehand.  However, nearly all testing authorities require that your therapy dog in training:

  • At least one year old
  • Up to date on all shots
  • Be healthy (this includes having full hearing capacity and proof of a negative heart worm test).

Additionally the dog’s handler must illustrate good character.  You may have to undergo a background check to prove this.  Handlers under the age of 18 will usually need to have an adult partner for formal testing.

Therapy Dog Evaluation

Evaluation generally precedes testing. A professional evaluator will observe you and your Bichon together.

The evaluator is looking for:

  • Obedience
  • Good training techniques
  • A strong working relationship between you and your dog
  • Your dog’s personality

If the evaluation goes well, then testing begins. Testing fees are not expensive. If your dog passes, then he can become a registered therapy dog.

Therapy Dog Requirements

Different organizations have individual requirements for their therapy dogs. Most request:

  • medical records
  • a copy of the Bichon’s test results
  • letters of recommendation
  • letter from your veterinarian

If your dog is accepted, the organization will put you on a list of volunteer therapy dogs for your area.

Getting your dog involved in therapy can be lots of fun for both you and your dog. And you can help others who have special needs, by sharing your Bichon Frise with them!

There may be links in this post that are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission, which does not affect the price you pay for the product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I use personally or believe to be the best value for my readers.

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