Dog question: To those who believe in old school Alpha theories for dog training, does it upset you that guide dogs walk in front?

Actually I think I heard somewhere that the "alpha" thing was baloney and false. Wolves actually live in family units mostly comprised of the mother, father, and offspring and function as such. Of course there are leaders because A- somebody needs to lead and B- Mom and dad lay down and teach social rules and enforce them like any good parenting critter. If there's not a mother and father but a random mash of them together then yeah they'd have to fight and figure out who's going to lead. SOMEBODY'S gotta lead and sometimes the rules are built up a little harsher to keep members in check. And remember, every creature has it's own social behavior, they don't act like humans because they AREN'T humans. BUT! Dogs -have- been domesticated and centralized around people so they -have- acquired more socially acceptable traits specific to humans yet they still retain a little of what's just comes natural to them, some more than others. Plus breed and what they were bred to do comes into play, exaggerating certain traits over others. And then that's what training is for, to smooth out and encourage behaviors that you specifically want in a dog companion, whatever breed they may be.

People get really hard core into that alpha stuff sometimes though. While it's very good to have rules and maintain obedience to keep order and safety and teach it in a way the dog will understand which is what the alpha training is intending to do, especially with breeds prone to chaotic behavior, it's not hardcore black-and-whtie guide lines that MUST be followed either (unless you want to because it works for you). What ever works for a person/family and their dog to make a healthy and happy relationship between the two, even if it's bits and pieces of multiple training methods, should be what matters. But people have to remember that what works for them isn't the same for another and don't force it on someone, especially when they don't need/ask/want the input.

I personally like having my dog walk/run beside me, especially when jogging so that nothing unexpected like a car or another dog or something darts out and hits her and I like going through doors and gates first so that my dog isn't pulling or tripping me or so that I first walk into an environment and make sure things are safe to proceed. It doesn't have much to do with the alpha thing. But that's just me. What ever floats a person's boat I say ;)

Those guide dogs were obedience trained to walk politely on a leash next to their handler before they learned to guide a person. Just like a hunting dog is often obedience trained before being taught to trail - which is done 30-40 feet ahead of the handler. And the agility dogs are usually solid in obedience before learning to go ahead through weave poles or up ramps.

Walking in a proper heel position on a loose lead may be called "alpha" or "old school", but it benefits the future of both dog and human in many ways. Guess I'm just terribly old fashioned (with happy, active dogs).

The first thing you need to know is what kind of training you and your dog need. After that locate some good trainers that will take you and your dog, not just the dog. Learn how to train your dog https://tr.im/vz4YP

In this special presentation you'll discover exactly why it's so important to start training your dog the right way. Important for you, important for your family, and, most of all, important for your dog! And It'll give you some great hints, tips, and advice to help you turn your dog into the best behaved, happiest, running, jumping, slipper-fetching best pal you always wanted.

These are the very same tips that I spent years perfecting, the very same tips that have worked for thousands of dog lovers just like you.

I don't believe in that alpha nonesense. When on a casual walk, my dogs are ahead of me. Personally, I don't care where they are as long as they are not pulling when on leash and when I say "Get close!" they immediately go to heel position. The same as when I saw "wait" before crossing the street.

Maybe in"shutzhund" a forging heel is desired. Not in AKC competitive obedience...that will get you a crap load of deductions.

Why would it upset me if a trained guide dog is doing exactly what he's been bred and trained to do.

It should most certainly NOT upset you. A guide which walked behind you would be pretty useless. To see someone who is blind feeling their way along using a cane and see another, head high, striding out confidently with their guide dog points the importance clearly. I have worked with guide dogs for 45 years, and am privileged to have been connected with this amazing movement.

Have you ever seen hunting dogs hunt? Herding dogs herd?

The human is clearly in control, and yet the dog is running far off into the distance.

Guide dogs do not walk in front. They walk beside.

It is the human who tells them when to turn, cross roads, stop, start, etc.

The dog is responsible for making sure the handler avoids obstacles both on the ground and in the air and does not walk out in front of traffic. The dog is constantly listening to both its handler, and watching the environment for possible danger.

If they believed they were in control, they would run off, eat every scrap of rubbish on the way, play with passing dogs, and disobey orders.

I met a drug detection dog yesterday.

Upon meeting him, the dog leapt up at me, licked my face and sniffed at my pockets (full of liver treats). The dog pulled, and was generally very disobedient.

The second the dog was asked to work it was the best trained dog I've ever met- very polite on the lead, and very serious about his work

Proper training and socialization are some of your dog's most basic needs. Learn how to set a basic foundation before you begin to train your dog https://tr.im/trainyourdog

At first, dog training can seem pretty overwhelming, especially if this is your first dog. Truth be told, training your dog is a very big project. However, if you take it step by step, you will find the task to be far less daunting.

Forget guide dogs. I let all my dogs walk in the front if they wish so. But I am always in control. They have no problem walking by my side or behind, if I want them to.

I think the Dog Whisperer tactics are to control an aggressive dog. Then again, it doesn't work if the handler isn't an expert.

Guide dogs are trained to walk at the side and to cross in front to stop their owner if there is an obstacle to avoid, a step, cars at crossing etc...

It would upset me no end if I were blind and my guide dog didn't walk in front, irrespective of training theories, which should be patently obvious to anyone except a halfwit.

When it looks like flame bait and smells like flame bait, that means it IS flame bait. You should pick tougher topics if you want to look clever, little troll.