My dog is my dog and I treat him like a dog. I can’t reason with him like I can my husband. There are times he has to do what is expected with him because I said so. Much like my children. He loves going for car rides, but he can’t wander around the car while I’m driving. I can’t reason with him about it being unsafe and dangerous. He just has to stay in his spot.

My kids jokingly call me the alpha because the dog follows me around and wants to be with me all of the time. He follows my commands most of the time, but doesn’t listen to the rest of the family as well. I am never mean or violent or hurtful. I treat him with respect, and demanded the same. And I’m very consistent in what is asked of him.

I think the problem you have is with the word alpha and not necessarily the idea of being in command of your pet.