Alpha male - who protects who?

tranquility · 06-29-2008, 10:45 AM

I'm confused, if we humans are supposed to be the 'alpha male', how come when a threat appears the dobe will (usu) take on the threat 1st? Shouldn't it be us being the alpha male?

berkdogg · 06-29-2008, 12:07 PM

The dogs role as I understand it is to defend the alpha male and females, as they hold the genetic future for the pack. If a subordinate is killed it is not as great a loss as if an alpha who has good hunting skills, and the best genetic potential.

link80reid · 06-29-2008, 12:22 PM

Personally, I would take on a threat myself before I let my boy go in harms way. The last thing I would want is to put him up against someone with a knife or gun. He is there as a last resort, and as an early warning alert. Sound wakes doberman, doberman wakes master, master wakes HK usp...

errica · 06-29-2008, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link80reid

Personally, I would take on a threat myself before I let my boy go in harms way. The last thing I would want is to put him up against someone with a knife or gun. He is there as a last resort, and as an early warning alert. Sound wakes doberman, doberman wakes master, master wakes HK usp...

Very well said!

Leroythedobe · 06-30-2008, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by link80reid

Personally, I would take on a threat myself before I let my boy go in harms way. The last thing I would want is to put him up against someone with a knife or gun. He is there as a last resort, and as an early warning alert. Sound wakes doberman, doberman wakes master, master wakes HK usp...

hahaha i like that "master wakes HK usp" i have the new HK.45 and love it!!

RedFawnRising · 06-30-2008, 01:31 PM

Well said, link80reid.

Again, I wish we humans could step away from all the "alpha" terminology a bit.

I do think it leads to this type of thought train.

If we need an analogy here, liken it to The Boss at your job, relying on you to do the daily tasks you know, and have talent at, while you still recognize him/her as the boss.

tranquility · 06-30-2008, 01:40 PM

^Just to clarify, if I had a Dobe I would definitely face the threat myself but I only wish to pt out that usu the dog would get between his owner and the threat out of instinct and I would like to know the reason in light of the alpha male status of the human.

faber · 06-30-2008, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

^Just to clarify, if I had a Dobe I would definitely face the threat myself but I only wish to pt out that usu the dog would get between his owner and the threat out of instinct and I would like to know the reason in light of the alpha male status of the human.

We got ya brother....You were asking/learning about their behavioral traits....not wanting to hide behind your future dog in a bad situation.
...........now me, I'm hiding! No...j/k. Hiding behind my 12ga. short barreled Mos. w/3' mags and slugs.

berkdogg · 06-30-2008, 04:09 PM

I understand the folks thinking about getting out the glock and firing away at the intruder. You probably can handle yourself and maybe even have formal handgun training. But while you are out fishing, is your wife, kid, or family member that good with a gun. Would you want them to stand between the intruder and the dog with a gun probably shaking in their hand? I would think not. If you've got a dobermann, in a bad situation the last place you'd want him is cowering behind your leg if some guy is trying to have your head or one of your family members.

faber · 06-30-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berkdogg

I understand the folks thinking about getting out the glock and firing away at the intruder. You probably can handle yourself and maybe even have formal handgun training. But while you are out fishing, is your wife, kid, or family member that good with a gun. Would you want them to stand between the intruder and the dog with a gun probably shaking in their hand? I would think not. If you've got a dobermann, in a bad situation the last place you'd want him is cowering behind your leg if some guy is trying to have your head or one of your family members.

very true....part of the reason I love these dogs....good family dog, good visual deterent, goot alert dog...proper training-good attack dog.