[dipper]

Alpha is a term that has been used for decades and is not a "trendy" or hip word.
It has nothing to do with cross species role playing.
If you want to substitute the word master, thats fine with me because it actually means the same thing as far as your dog is concerned---and if people use the word for an excuse for bullying or intimidating a dog, that's their and unfortunately their dogs problem---I don't agree with that kind of training.
Like I said before, many petite,small, gentle people make very good dog trainers---nothing to do with physical strength ----just MENTAL strength.
Of course pack dynamics change constantly and are fluid we are not statues nor do we do the same thing constantly and who said ANYTHING bout pretending to be or imitating a dog being useful--I missed that!!
Use whatever words you want to use to describe behavior or the interaction between us and our dogs--I don't care---I just think the most important thing is to understand why things happen and just as important, why they don't.

Peace,

Rich