The alpha doesn't use physical force or biting to control other dogs. That would show a lack of confidence. Real alphas do not need to do any of that. They just are..... Beta dogs sqabble with
eachother but alphas and omegas do not interact that way.....it's very rare. Don't worry about pack thoery so much. We are not dogs and our dogs know it.... and relying on such a complex structure causes dogs a lot of problems because
people mis- read so much of what is going on with the subtle nuances of dogs. We're also talking about domestic dogs, not wolves.
A lot of people think most misbehavior is a dog trying to be the dominant member, when they're not. They may want their own way and are use to getting it, but that's not the same as a dog scheming to be the alpha of the pack. They simply have not been shown how to live in a human's world and are just being dogs. When you give the dog a profitable alternative, he'll come around just fine.
If you realize scientific learning theory, you'll have it made. Dogs do what works, being the opportunists that they are. Make behaviors you want your dog to engage in work for your dog. You need to control his resources. This is what a leader does. He needs to earn the things he likes by sitting first or some other thing he knows how to do; lie down, shake hands....
Being on the couch is comfortable. That's reward in itself. Anytime there is a reward for a behavior, it will be repeated. Give an alternative....his own, soft dog bed on the floor near the couch. Make sure it's as comfy or better than the couch. Lure him to that and give him a yummy treat for lying on that....a tiny tidbit of hot dog or cheese. Every few minutes give him a treat and praise him for being on his bed. Then start adding a cue word, "bed" or whatever you want to use when you are asking him to get on his bed...just be consistant.
When you're not right there in the room with him where you can intercept him from getting on the couch, manage his behavior by prevention. Prevent a payoff of his being comfy on the couch. Put cardboard boxes on the couch or kitchen chairs....to keep him off. Make sure his dog bed is better than being on the couch.
When you play with him and he touches you with his teeth, even by accident, promptly end playtime. Go inside, attention over for a couple of minutes. Be very consistant. If he touches you once, game over.
When he come to you for attention, you don't have to respond every time....only if you feel like it. Don't always be the one to react to his actions. Have him be the one to react to you or your commands that you teach him. But of course, he has to understand the commands. If he wants to go outside, fine, but he must sit first. He wants a treat...sit first. He wants his dinner, sit/wait first. He wants his leash on to go for a walk? Fine, sit first. Hand feed him for a while. Make him earn those handfuls of food. Use his food for easier training skills. And special treats for more difficult skills or higher distraction areas. Always start out with no distractions and gradually add them.
Use positive reinforcement training, no harsh methods because he's already showing that he is ready to bite. Don't get into a power struggle with him. Don't become a "beta." (if you want to look at it that way) He will lose respect for you and not look up to you. It isn't needed. Make it so his working with you the way you want is highly profitable and worth it. Become partners. Show him what you mean and reward behavior you like. With unwanted behavior, distract him, give alternatives and reward for new, wanted behaviors. He will soon be choosing behaviors on his own accord which give him the payoff. But you have to be consistant and everyone who interacts with him must be doing the same.
Give him a job every day.....a few short training sessions plus everytime you interact with him is an oppoturnity for training. It doesn't have to be in a "session." Be conscious of behaviors you like and reward him. It is scientific fact that when any mammal is rewarded for a behavior, that behavior is much, much more likely to be repeated in the future. If there is no reward or payoff, the behavior will be much, much less likely to be repeated in the future. Discover what the reward your dog is getting for some undesirable behavior. It may be something you're doing. It may be a self rewarding behaivor or an environmental reward or reinforcement. Dogs learn how to live with humans by being reinforced many times for certain behaviors. They are guessing for a long time. They can't know exactly what we mean at first, not being able to speak our language. So, it takes repitition until they stop guessing and start seeing a pattern in what they're being reinforced (rewarded) for. So be consistant.
On rewards: Observe and think about what your dog likes. He likes to play ball. Use that for reward for some behavior or skill that you ask him for. Does he want to go outside? Use that for a reward. Take advantage of things he wants and likes and use that as a trade...a reward for his doing something you like. If he walks for a few steps nicely, without pulling the leash, reward him with what he'd like the best at that time. Rewards are not always the same value at all times. When the dog is playing fetch, he probably couldn't care less about getting a belly rub. He's having fun fetching. So, for a reward, throw the ball right away for him after he brings it to you or does something you like. At quiet times, when he complies with something you ask, that's the time for the petting or belly rub....if he likes belly rubs. So, think about what he might like at various times. Food is usually a high motivator. Dogs need food to survive. It also has a calming effect on dogs, kind of like macaroni and cheese does on us. They can get excited and motivated for it too, but eating it seems to be so satisfying and calming. No longer do they have to hunt for the day. LOL. So that is a high value reward for most obedience training. There's more on how food treats do not always have to be used. But for starting behaviors, they're great. Don't be afraid to give you dog what
he likes as a reinforcer for behaviors you want. It's what makes him repeat that behavior.
Some book recommendations:
*Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson (a must read)
Don't Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor
The Power of Positive Training by Pat Miller
The Other End of the Leash Patricia Mc Connell
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/nothingfree.htm
http://www.showdogs.co.za/wag_the_dog/dominance.htm
http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/Training/alpha-roll_no.htm
http://www.dog-dominance.co.uk/
http://www.dogpatch.org/obed/obpage4.cfm
Happy training