Dog Health Questions: Establishing "Alpha" position when one adds a new dog/puppy into the home?

When I was looking into getting a dog, and when I got my current dog, I was reading a lot of books on dog training and researching the same subject online. I came across some methods on how one can establish to their new dog/puppy that they are the alpha of the pack, some of these methods seemed logical and others seemed as though they could be very dangerous for not only the owner of the dog but also the dog if not done correctly or to a "T".

What is the most bizarre/dangerous method of establishing alpha position have you heard/read?

What is the best method you have heard/read?

Dog Training: Pro Versus Self-Trained, Which is Best

Recommended Answer:
I think any method that is not done 100% correctly is useless and could be potentially harmful.

The alpha roll - I think this can be done by a very small percentage of qualified people who know what they are doing and what dogs it would work on. But in general, I think this is a ridiculous idea and will get most people bit.

Best method Nothing In Life Is Free method. That way ALL the dogs learn where the respect needs to go.
When needed - I believe leash corrections and physical compulsion are effective as well.
But usually pairing the right dogs and having the right attitude in the first place is all that is needed.

Dog Training - You and Your Dog

• Alpha training doesn't work, in spite of what the fad says. It's a fad.
  
  You can avoid problems by giving attention to your main dog first, then the new dog second. Feeding the main dog first, then putting the bowl down for the new one. It's subtle things like this that establish pack order.


• Being HUMAN is enough.
  Dogs have pack orders...HUMANS do not.
  
  That new-age-touchy-feely clap-trap is a truckload of bovine excrement


• hmmmmm