What Happens When the Alpha Dog is Away?

We, the human in the family who earns and deserves the role of being considered “alpha” over the pack, are second in command when the dogs are together and we’re away.

I noticed an interesting dynamic in my own pack. Zoe, the calm, assertive leader of the group was on Holiday along with her buddy, Mac.  At home, Zoe leads everyone up the hill and around the property tracking scents and following nature.

The dogs follow her but it’s not because she does anything to recruit them.  She just is.  She is worthy of being followed – no questions asked.  When she was away, the other dogs decided I was next in command and stuck close to the door or anywhere to be near me.

If you have more than one dog, pay attention to who is leading who.  It can be subtle yet you can learn a lot by observing the dynamic between them in just about everything they do.

Since I like to make comparisons to the dog thought world and ours, I can’t miss this opportunity.  Are we so different?  Aren’t their people you are naturally attracted to because of who they are.  They are calm yet assertive and we feel good being around them.

I think that is Zoe’s affect on this group.  She leads, they follow and everyone feels better just knowing she’s there.  I don’t feel left out, because she feels better just knowing I’m there!