How to Become the Alpha With Your Wolf Hybrid

Wolf hybrids -- wolfdogs -- can be difficult to keep, because the wolf is not domesticated and those wild behaviors can crop up at any time, especially as the animal gets closer to 3 years of age. Wild behaviors can range from startling easily, aggression, destructive behaviors and excess energy. It's important to set appropriate, strict boundaries when the wolf hybrid is a very young pup and continue those boundaries as it matures; however, the wolf hybrid is part wild animal and you can't always successfully change that. Although occasionally a wolf hybrid fits in as well as any family dog, sanctuaries are filling up with wolf hybrids that people can no longer manage. Establish yourself as the "alpha" -- the leader -- while the wolfdog is very young, but don't assume your wolf hybrid won't ever challenge you.

Things You'll Need

  • Training treats
  • Leash
  • Collar
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin puppy kindergarten and obedience training as early as possible. Practice obedience training from the day the puppy arrives at your home. Remember that many very dominant and aggressive dogs excel at obedience, so this is only the beginning. Don't assume an obedient wolfdog will always obey, listen or be tame.

    • 2

      Follow the veterinarian's advice on vaccinations and other care. If the wolf hybrid is not feeling well you may not be able to tell, as they can hide their illness very well. A hidden illness or injury can cause aggressive behavior. If possible, find a veterinarian with wolf experience.

    • 3
      With NILIF your wolfdog learns to respect your leadership.

      Learn and apply the Nothing in Life Is Free (NILIF) program. This program teaches you to assert your leadership position in a gentle and trustworthy manner. Confronting or forcing any dog is not wise, but could prove fatal with a wolfdog. But subtle reminders of your position are more natural for a wolf, and more readily accepted. Some wolf behaviors may seem very dominant and even ruthless to us, but dominance is a very misused and misunderstood word as applied to dog and wolf behavior. Wolves do not use force or violence to lead their pack and you should not do it either. Find information about the NILIF program in the references section. This program works wonders with all dogs, and will help your wolfdog, as well.

    • 4

      Play appropriate games with your wolfdog, even while it is a puppy. Rough, wrestling play or play that allows your wolfdog to put its mouth on you can become too rough for humans as the wolfdog grows. Never play by pretending to be hurt, scared or panicked: do not play-scream or call for help during play. Play games like fetch, tug, hide and seek. All games should have a name, a beginning and an end. Teach your wolfdog to ask for a game in an appropriate manner, such as by sitting with the toy.

    • 5
      Puppies should be taught that even just touching a human with open mouth is painful.

      Teach your wolf hybrid puppy bite inhibition. This teaches a puppy how much its jaws hurt when it's playing, and so eventually it learns that a small amount of pressure can result in a large amount of damage to humans. Bite inhibition teaches the dog to bite softer when it does decide to bite. Dogs -- and wolves -- are very precise when they bite, so this will be a lesson well learned. See the references section for more information on bite inhibition.

    • 6

      Handle your wolf hybrid all over its body daily. Use massage to teach your wolfdog to accept human touch on all parts of its body, including tummy, feet, teeth and even the genital area. This teaches the pup to accept such handling for grooming and medical care, but it also teaches the pup that you are the leader, or alpha, because wolves don't naturally accept this kind of handling from anyone.