Are You an ALPHA Male?

In an essay in the Huffington Post, Tom Matlack examines what it means to be an "Alpha" in today's world (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-matlack/are-you-an-alpha-male_b_386519.html). 

"To some, the alpha is a guy who is loud and pushy and so aggressively ego-fueled that he always gets his way. I couldn't help but think, is there a way to be an alpha without being obnoxious--and without treating others as submissive? To answer that question, a friend pointed me to the world of dog training. After all, it is from decades-old studies of wolves and other animals in the wild that the term 'alpha male' was coined."

Referencing Paul Owens, the original "Dog Whisperer," Matlack explains that the old concept of alpha male dominance is no longer accepted among animal behaviorists.  

"The newer understanding of wolves is that the pack is really a cooperative family unit with the parents leading the way. As pups develop and grow and the parents produce additional litters, the older pups naturally guide and somewhat dominate the new pups, just like older brothers and sisters in a human family. But there's no battle to gain pack leadership; both parents retain that role."

Owens promotes the modern approach to dog training, based not on physical punishment or "might makes right" but upon a nonviolent, scientific approach to education.  Matlack concludes: 

"So if this outmoded concept isn't true for dogs or wolves, perhaps us humans--particularly the male of the species--can rethink what it means to be an alpha male. I heartily agree with Owens, who concluded with, 'Since we seem to be stuck with the word alpha, how about redefining the term so it's no longer about dominance and aggression and more in line with the leadership role that good parents exhibit. It's more about intelligent discipline, following the Golden Rule, and applying it everywhere, with everybody--and that includes our four-legged family member.'

"I'd like to think that I'm an alpha male with strong leadership qualities--that is, rooted in compassion, kindness and consideratio for others. I invite you to join in taking the onus from the word and stepping into a new era with alpha men and women who follow this road."