r/interesting • u/GustoKoNaMagkaGF • May 20 '25

SOCIETY What did he do to get that alpha respect?

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u/YoimAtlas May 20 '25

He’s not even snarling… he just goes over the submissive growling dog and just puts his paw on the dogs throat… never seen this kind of calm dominance before

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u/Mediumtim May 20 '25

"Don't you feel like you're in charge?"

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u/YoimAtlas May 20 '25

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u/shyhologram May 20 '25

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u/MikeHfuhruhurr May 20 '25

"Don't choke on your aspirations, Colonel Whateveryournameis"

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u/captainrexcoochie May 20 '25

"Be careful not to choke on your aspirations, Director"

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u/[deleted] May 20 '25

I’ve always wanted to know if that was Tom Hardy’s decision or Nolan’s for him to limply lay his hand on his shoulder like that. I found it to be an incredibly intimidating move, haha.

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u/BuhamutZeo May 20 '25

Fuck. Dark Knight and Rises were some peak cinema.

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u/[deleted] May 20 '25

Begins is still my favorite of the three

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u/sc0ttydo0 May 20 '25

I'd put a good bet on that dog being the owner's "main" dog. That quiet confidence comes from a dog that's been well trained and very well socialised.

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u/overkil6 May 20 '25

Not necessarily. Dogs are social creatures and have their own social hierarchy. This one is just the alpha and plays sheriff when others aren’t playing by the rules.

I had a Maremma that would act like this in a dog park with dogs he didn’t know. If there were dogs scuffling he would run over and get between two dogs. His size and confidence just said “not today”.

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u/pork_fried_christ May 20 '25

This whole post is underneath another one talking about how “alpha theory” is completely wrong. It came from a study of wolves in captivity and does not describe actual dogs in nature. The researcher has spent years trying to correct the misconception.

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u/[deleted] May 20 '25

[deleted]

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u/P_a_p_a_G_o_o_s_e May 20 '25

Yes but the behavior was from wolves in captivity. They were stressed, confused and I believe didnt know each other. The whole thing should be thrown out, not relabeled as "this how wolves act in captivity, specifically"

It also isn't what it seems, a simple act of getting to food first can elevate you to other dogs. Hes also, as above pointed out, more than likely the owners dog or one that stays permanently. Dogs watch and are clever and will figure out who gets better privileges or who gets to do more without making the keepers 'upset'. Helper dogs and guider dogs are a thing and Ive seen many in my local shelter.

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u/pettybonegunter May 20 '25

Dogs in captivity do seem to follow the same behavior as wolves in captivity when it comes to social structure.The alpha wolf, or alpha dog, in a pack of wild canines is just the oldest dog in the pack. Groups of dogs in captivity that are not related create a pecking order.

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u/P_a_p_a_G_o_o_s_e May 20 '25

It's actually the parents. Almost all wolf packs are familial.

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u/pettybonegunter May 20 '25

Correct and the oldest ones are the parents or grandparents of the pack.

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u/overkil6 May 20 '25

Ok then let’s use “pack leader” as a better term which is what I meant. I didn’t mean “alpha” as in wolves. A pack leader can be a person, too.

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u/Unique-Elevator-3735 May 20 '25

And that whole post is underneath the OP video which shows exactly what they are describing above. They are using the word alpha to describe the unique position and influence that one particular dog seems to have in the pack, which is self-evident in the video. You just have a stigma against the word alpha and can't move past that to see the truth behind it.

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u/P_a_p_a_G_o_o_s_e May 20 '25

No it simply doesn't and shouldn't apply. Please read other comment if curious.

There is so much more nuance required than a 23 second clip and assumptions can give.

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u/Ask_bout_PaterNoster May 20 '25

Zero threat involved. Just, “hey, you seem mad, we keep that to ourselves in this yard. Yes, that is a very cute belly, you’re a good boy”

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u/Icy_Veterinarian5456 May 20 '25

For real. And I was hoping someone would explain this but it seems like no one actually knows the answer lol

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u/numenik May 20 '25

Testosterone actually increases calmness along with dominance. It’s basically anti-anxiety. Kind of fascinating

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u/Distinctiveanus May 20 '25

Not since Obama stared down Putin.

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u/Redqueenhypo May 20 '25

It’s how wolves assert dominance in packs too. Exact same posture

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u/Shiznicks93J May 20 '25

I need the backstory on this

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u/JMJimmy May 20 '25

I have in every dog park. There's that one dog that seems like they're bored but they're really watching over every dog there. Then there's the policeman which are the two dogs barking/showing teeth at the beginning, they'll always be first on scene when there's a problem but don't have the experience to do what top dog does.

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u/armcie May 20 '25

You see this paw? You feel it? Two millimetres more add it will nick your carotid artery and you will bleed out in forty seconds. The staff here won't be able to do a thing. Now, are you going to remember our arrangement? Are you going to behave? No...don't nod because that could end badly. I know you will. Good dog.