[dipper]

Hi Skip,
Please, don't take this the wrong way, but it doesn't matter what YOU think it matters what your DOG thinks.
If you want to substitute the word "boss" for the word "alpha" I don't think anyone outside of a professional school or some anal person would argue with you.
I don't believe dogs think in terms of species either---doesn't matter to them.
Dogs most certainly do believe and see things in pack order--you might not but they do--its all they know--it is how they relate to those around them whether human or dog.
I never equate "alpha-roll" mentality with projecting the "role of the Alpha."
You are either in charge or your not---or--you are either the boss or not--or--you are either the Alpha or not---makes no difference to me what terms you use.
Yeah, WE know we are not dogs--we are a little higher up on the developmental scale--but do we know what our dogs think and should we expect their reasoning to be anywhere near ours??
I see a difference in the actions of my dogs when my children come home for a visit---they always act a little different--they greet them differently than my wife or I--they act differently at meal time---etc.
The "pack" has changed and so do the dynamics.


Rich