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A – ALPHA

April 1, 2016 | 50 Comments

BLOGGING A TO Z CHALLENGE

ALPHA

ALPHA

In the wild, dogs (and wolves) run in packs.  Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal. The alpha makes decisions – they are the boss.  Usually, the pack will have an alpha male and an alpha female. Each pack member has their role in the hierarchy; either dominant or submissive.

It is important to set boundaries and establish rules and routine for our companions. By teaching our dogs manners and socializing them, we are establishing ourselves as the leader of the pack.

To view more blogs in the challenge visit the Blogging From A to Z Challenge

Please visit us again tomorrow as we reveal ‘BRAVO.’

Thank you,

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Categories: WORKS OF ART Tagged: A to Z Challenge, Art, PNPC

Comments

  1. Nichole says

    April 1, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    Sounds like a fun blogging challenge!

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 2, 2016 at 10:05 am

      I love painting but haven’t had much time. This is making me get back in my studio. So yes, having fun.

      Reply
  2. Lauren Miller says

    April 1, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    Hi Sadie, while I love the a-z challenge, pack theory has been debunked by science. I have a bunch of helpful articles if you are ever interested in looking at them. It’s good to have rules for our pets but we don’t have to dominate them. Wolves raise their cubs much like we do. The “top” wolves are in charge because they are the parents. The man who came out with the alpha pack theory stuff with wolves was studying captive wolves. Captive wolves behave much differently than their wild cousins because most of them are thrown together without being family and he has since come out and apologized for creating the dominance and pack theories. Our dogs need teachers, not alpha leaders. With my dogs we have a partnership.

    https://positively.com/dog-training/myths-truths/pack-theory-debunked/
    Lauren Miller recently posted…The Sun Came Out!My Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 2, 2016 at 9:59 am

      To clarify: I do not suggest dominating our companions (in the post or otherwise). I provided a brief history of the term (Alpha) by referring to animals in the wild.

      I feel strongly that our companions should respect rules and know who guides them. Manners are a must. My husband and I use POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT TRAINING methods only.

      Thank you for your comment and the opportunity to clarify.

      Reply
  3. Sarcastic Dog says

    April 1, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    What a super fun and creative blogging challenge. I look forward to the rest of the alphabet 🙂

    (The link to the Blogging From A to Z Challenge does not seem to be active)
    Sarcastic Dog recently posted…Sports Bras and Dog WalksMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 1, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      Thanks! Please do check back.

      Reply
  4. Andrea Casarsa says

    April 1, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Happy a-z! I have been interested in the concept of the alpha animal ever since we got our dog.

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 1, 2016 at 7:50 pm

      We have a male and a female that BOTH think they’re the boss.

      Reply
  5. Sabina says

    April 1, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    I’m new to your blog – but I love your watercolor! It’s gorgeous. I’ll be back to see more of your posts!!

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 2, 2016 at 10:03 am

      Thank you Sabina. I appreciate it.

      Reply
  6. Pawesome Cats says

    April 2, 2016 at 2:50 am

    The alpha theory works in cat households too. Good luck with the A-Z Challenge.
    Pawesome Cats recently posted…Pet First Aid Tips: What to Do in an EmergencyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 2, 2016 at 10:02 am

      That makes sense. I have a bossy male cat and a bossy male dog – they wrestle!

      Reply
  7. Cathy Armato says

    April 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    My Husky definitely thinks she is the Alpha in our house, LOL! She’s always trying to be the boss of everyone, including me and my husband! That portrait is lovely!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:48 pm

      Thank you Cathy.

      Reply
  8. Ruth and Layla says

    April 2, 2016 at 2:56 pm

    Thanks and will check back

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      Thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  9. Christine Caplan says

    April 2, 2016 at 9:44 pm

    I think this is such a cool challenge – I follow another blogger participating and it’s great to see how folks interpret each letter. Alpha for A is clever…

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:47 pm

      Thanks Christine. Some of the other letters took a bit of brainstorming for my theme.

      Reply
  10. Lori says

    April 2, 2016 at 9:49 pm

    What a gorgeous watercolor and great advice about training dogs 🙂
    Have a great weekend!
    Lori

    My A2Zs @ As the Fates Would Have It & Promptly Written
    Follow Me (Ravyne) Twitter|Facebook

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 7, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      Thank you Lori – look forward to visiting your site too!

      Reply
  11. M. K. Clinton says

    April 2, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    This is such a great painting. It made me smile. ☺
    M. K. Clinton recently posted…Treat ‘Em Right with Vita BoneMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      Thank you. It is a HUGE compliment to an artist when their work connects somehow with the viewer.

      Reply
  12. Tenacious Little Terrier says

    April 3, 2016 at 12:46 am

    That’s a lovely painting. Are you showcasing art for the month too?

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:44 pm

      Thank you. Yes, it will be ‘Animal Art’ for the month.

      Reply
  13. Three Chatty Cats says

    April 3, 2016 at 11:04 am

    Undertaking the A-Z challenge sounds very daunting to a newbie like me. Love it, though! I think our dog THINKS he’s the Alpha… we’ll let him believe that. Ha!
    Three Chatty Cats recently posted…The Older BrotherMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      I have been contemplating doing the challenge for a while. The challenge is the excuse I need to prioritize time in the studio. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

      Reply
  14. Dusty Desert Dogs says

    April 3, 2016 at 12:23 pm

    Sounds like a very interesting challenge I’ll be chekcing back to see how it is going 🙂 Also I love your painting.

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 7, 2016 at 12:30 pm

      Thank you – please do!

      Reply
  15. Erin | Tossed Cookies says

    April 3, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    These A-z challenges are hard! I am still in the process of my A-Z toxins. I started trying to do them every day, but there’s just too much information to compile into a post once a day, so I started slowing them down. We’re through our K’s!

    Congrats on the new challenge, and I feel your pain!
    Erin | Tossed Cookies recently posted…Safety Saturday: Dolly the Doxie and SandraMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 7, 2016 at 12:29 pm

      Thanks Erin. Best of luck to you – I will be stopping by soon!

      Reply
  16. Golden Daily Scoop says

    April 3, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Sounds like a fun challenge! Each of the Goldens think they are the alpha, we just let them think that! lol
    Golden Daily Scoop recently posted…A #PetSmartGrooming Spring Makeover #SponsoredMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      It’s all about believing!

      Reply
  17. MattieDog says

    April 3, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    We agree that positive training is the only way to go – and it’s good to have rules that everyone (including humans) abide by, otherwise it’s so very complicated and mixed messages for the pup!
    MattieDog recently posted…Is Safe In Small Quantities Really Just Unsafe? BPA in Pet Food CansMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:39 pm

      ..and can also be embarrassing at social functions.

      Reply
  18. Laith Preston says

    April 3, 2016 at 5:51 pm

    Wonderful picture.
    I love your handling of the concept of “Alpha” in this post.

    Laith (apx #1712) visiting for April A-Z from Laith’s Ramblings (http://laith.wordpress.com)

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 7, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      I appreciate that. Thank you.

      Reply
  19. Beth says

    April 3, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    I love this portrait! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with for the A-Z challenge, there are some tricky letters, but I know you’re quite creative.
    Beth recently posted…Fetching!My Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:23 pm

      Thanks Beth. I think I have it figured out. That’s BEFORE trying to create the images that are currently stored in my mind! We’ll see…

      Reply
  20. Sweet Purrfections says

    April 3, 2016 at 8:18 pm

    We think Truffle is the alpha female in our house. She even rules Mom Paula.
    Sweet Purrfections recently posted…Sunday SelfieMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:22 pm

      A Princess perhaps? Mom Paula will do her bidding ; )

      Reply
  21. Talent Hounds says

    April 3, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    Beautiful illustration. My husband is the Alpha- not in an aggressive way. He just makes Kilo feel safe on a walk.
    Talent Hounds recently posted…Amazing Charity Is Helping Save Homeless DogsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:20 pm

      Your husband is the protector! Love it.

      Reply
  22. Robin says

    April 4, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Very interesting fact! That is one of the huge differences between cats and dogs. Cats are not pack animals at all and, therefore, social ranking is a very different thing for cats than it is for dogs. Great start to the challenge!
    Robin recently posted…Funny Cat Picture: Background KittyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:13 pm

      Unless you have a male cat named Richard and a male dog named Henry and they both want to be the King! Thanks Robin

      Reply
  23. Carol Bryant says

    April 4, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    This is beautiful. I love dog related artwork and am such a fan!

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      Thank you Carol.

      Reply
  24. Spencer the Goldendoodle says

    April 4, 2016 at 4:08 pm

    Wonderful picture! I’m definitely a submissive dog! 🙂
    Spencer the Goldendoodle recently posted…New Collar for ArizonaMy Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:28 pm

      Laid back, easy-going Spencer!

      Reply
  25. Maureen says

    April 4, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    Great picture! I love dog art work!
    Maureen recently posted…Are You Enough Of A Companion For Your Dog?My Profile

    Reply
    • Sadie says

      April 5, 2016 at 3:24 pm

      Thank you Maureen.

      Reply

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