It's true about wolfdogs

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That they are like wolves. One thing is that you must be the alpha. OK, I have the food, I have the leash I am the alpha. They are Mama's dogs. But I did not believe it about how they will just prey on the alpha when you are weak till tonight. I hurt my ankle going out back and looking for the goddamned Frisbee. I found it and brought it in. After sitting for a couple hours I got up and Saban was on the couch. I was going to let him out but I limped over to pet him and he GROWLED at me. Excuse me? He growled! I did exactly what the books say and growled back and popped him on his nose. But that hurts my feelings that they would actually just be that way when I'm hurt. A dog is supposed to love you and bring you things,not growl at you menacingly.

"These behaviors are genetically encoded and thus cannot be eliminated by socialization or training. At best, these inherent behaviours can only be suppressed.[5] Wolves have a strong incentive to rise up the pack hierarchy, as only the dominant pair may breed, thus they will instinctively challenge their owner for pack status after reaching adult age"

So I read, I wouldnt therefore take it personally, they are genetically programmed to become dominant so that they get a chance to breed.

The article also says:-" In the wild, wolves usually disperse from their pack upon reaching adulthood, but as this is mostly impossible in captivity, conflict avoidance behaviour is not an option. In such scenarios, it is not unusual for wolves to attack their owners or pen mates.[1]

Some wildlife centres housing captive wolves prohibit handlers from entering wolf enclosures if they happen to have a cold or other vulnerability which the wolves can detect."

Having the food and leash don't make you the alpha. You must have the attitude.

Being alpha with dogs is an acting job, unless it's a natural part of your personality.

The nearest thing to an alpha mentality in human social systems is an absolute monarch. If you are not the king and don't live with the expectation that the lives of all below you are expendable at your pleasure and they must leap to satisfy your every whim, you are not really being the alpha.

If you think your dog is your friend and not your loyal subject, then you are not putting on the right mentality.

When I have to tell my dogs something important and the role is not coming naturally, I often think of a scene from a movie to get in the right mental frame: A japanese feudal lord from a Kurosawa movie, the American commanders taking the surrender of the Japanese on the deck of the USS Missouri--a ceremonial act of dominance:


My wife tells me that sometimes the dogs fear me because I am too stern. But they obey me allways and would give their lives to protect me. When I let them know they have angered me, they show me their bellies. I think that means I am doing it right.

They are your friends, but not your equals. Never let them forget that and you'll be OK.

They are wired differently than normal dogs, just like we are wired differently than normal people.

I always try to remember that any dogs tend to feel insecure and anxious if they question the strength of their pack leader, when I'm out with them, I don't think of them protecting me (although they would), but I think of myself as there to protect them.

All dogs have issues. Typically you learn all you can about the breed (there ia a lot online) and it should improve in time if you try and follow what you learn.

But you don't have just a dog, but one that is part undomesticated wild animal & it means there are some special handling issues. Its up to you to decide whether you can do what is nessesary and want that added work. If not, try to get it a new home, or if safety becomes a concern turn it in to a shelter.

I don't want a 2nd job training animals, so go with very small companion dogs that are instinctively the little friends I seek. There are problems, but they are small problems. They are naturally so companionable that even shelter dogs are usually no trouble adopting.

It's possible that your awkward body posture (with the limp) through him off and startled him.