The Truth About the "Dominance Theory" aka "Alpha Dog"

    With all the information available through book stores, the internet, television, and advice from others, where do you start? How do you know you've signed on for the kind of training that will be beneficial to you and your dog?
    There are still a significant number of trainers out there that still believe in using “The Dominance Theory”. This method of training has been discredited by well-known scientists, researchers, canine behaviorists, and other trainers. I want to believe that they are still using these methods because they lack the ability to get the most up-to-date information. There are so many other ways to deal with inappropriate doggy behaviors. One of my biggest challenges revolves around clients and students who insist on using these archaic methods on their dogs. They come to me after they have been bitten or lunged at by their dogs, a family member has been bitten, their dog has developed severe aggression or anxiety issues, or the dog stopped functioning all together. . What I find to be the truth is that most people believe what they see on television or what they hear from their friends or relatives about dog behavior. Let me just say this. If your friend or relative has not had a dog in 20 years, why would you listen to their advice? If your friend or relative has ever had an aggressive or fearful dog, why would you listen to their advice? If your friend or relative only watches television and thinks that they are the “new dog whisperer”, and you allow them to brutalize your dog, and your dog bites them or you, who is really at fault for causing the bite? The feeling of desperation is strong enough to cause most dog owners to look for that “quick fix” at any cost.
    I find myself explaining the faults of the dominance theory at least 4-5 times a week to dog owners. I find that just about all of my students and clients have attempted a form of “the dominance model” over their dogs and have not ever had success. I try not to be judgmental of those seeking help, but when they truly believe they are in the right, I always get this feeling of impending doom. I know that sounds silly but according to the pattern that I have personally experienced, these same people show up a few weeks to a few months later with a different dog. When I ask them if this “new” dog is in addition to their already existing dog, they tell me that their original dog has been euthanized or has been re-homed, dropped-off at a shelter or adoption group . I do my best to explain why these methods are inappropriate when dealing with any dog behavior. It's up to the humans to do the right thing. Let's just review the flaws and misconceptions with this method of “training”.

Debunking the Myth

    The original alpha/dominance theory was born out of short-term studies of wolf packs done in the 1940s by Rudolph Schenectady. Although these were the first studies of their kind, the conclusions are flawed. These particular studies were just the beginning, but later research has basically disproved most of the findings. There were three major flaws in these studies:

                1. These were short-term studies, so the researchers concentrated on the most apparent, obvious parts of wolf life, such as hunting. The studies are hence atypical -- drawing conclusions about "wolf behavior" based on less than 1% of wolf life.

                2. The studies observed, what are now known to be, ritualistic displays and misinterpreted them. Unfortunately, this is where the majority of the "dominance model" comes from, and though the information has been soundly disproved, it still thrives in the dog training folklore.

For example, alpha rolls. The early researchers saw this behavior and concluded that the higher-ranking wolf was forcibly rolling the subordinate to exert his dominance. Well, not exactly. This is actually an "appeasement ritual" instigated by the subordinate wolf. The subordinate offers his muzzle, and when the higher-ranking wolf "pins" it, the lower-ranking wolf voluntarily rolls and presents his belly. There is absolutely no force. It is all entirely voluntary. The higher-ranking wolf does not throw a subordinate wolf to the ground and force it to submit.  

               3. Finally, after the studies, the researchers made arrogant projections comparing wolf to dogs, dog to dog, and dog to human based on their "findings." Unfortunately, this nonsense still exists with abundance through the training world.


    So what's the truth? The truth is dogs aren't wolves. Honestly, when you take into account the number of generations past, saying "I want to learn how to interact with my dog so I'll learn from the wolves" makes about as much sense as saying, "I want to improve my parenting -- let's see how the chimps do it!"
    Here is what I believe to be true. Now keep in mind, these are my own personal thoughts and opinions on domestic dog behavior based on my practices and research. How did I come to these conclusions? Well, I have read over 100 books, roughly 1000 websites, more than 200 research papers on Applied Canine Behavior (wolves and domestic dogs), I've had over a decade of experience as a trainer, foster mom, dog parent, and have published 2 books based on my own experiences. Some of my thoughts are based on common sense and observations of domestic dog socialization, with other dogs and humans, in a group or personal setting. I like to read as many articles and books as I can find on a subject than take my own interpretations. This doesn't mean that my thoughts are set in stone, I evolve and change my opinions based on my own experiences and research. I believe this is what everyone should do. So, you shouldn't take what I have to say as the gospel of dog training in behavior, or believe everything you see on television or read. I would prefer if you came to your own conclusions and even challenge me on mine. Like the saying goes, “the only thing that two dog trainers can agree on is that the third is doing it all wrong!”
    First off, those who know me, will tell you that I am a straight shooter. I do not fuddle around with my words, searching for a way to “sugar-coat” an answer to the ultimate question. That question, you ask? Well, the ultimate question is the one that everyone asks me, “Why does my dog do that?” Depending on the rest of our conversation, that answer could be several things, the biggest revolves around aggression. Now, I'm not rude, cruel or bark at you when I deliver the answer, instead, I rely more on reading your body language to get to know you before I go ahead and drop the bomb on you. What I know to be true is that somewhere, at some point, humans have touched this particular dog and messed it up somehow. That doesn't mean that you are the problem, it means that humans, in general, have created the problem. What happens from that point on, could possibly be your fault, depending on how you either encouraged the behavior or attempted to extinguish the behavior. Sometimes, you don't know that you are encouraging the naughty behavior as you are only trying to do the right thing and settle your dog down. It's unfortunate that we, as humans, don't always understand the implications of our actions. Your dog knows, though, and don't think for one minute they won't take advantage of it.

Since we are talking about my opinions, I have concluded that canines fall into three categories of social behavior. 

• Wild Canines
• Feral Canines
• Domestic Canines

    These three classifications, in my opinion, are very different. When thinking about canine social behavior, it is important to understand with different classifications comes varying behaviors, rules, and environments. Most living creatures will evolve and adapt to the environment in which they reside. There has been a lot of research and observations of wolf behavior over the last century. Some of this research has been discredited, some revised, while other research has been validated.

    Every working breed of domestic dog is born with some form of aggression in their genes. Some human, somewhere, decided that certain dogs need to have a particular aggressive trait genetically programmed into them. For example, German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) have been genetically altered and encouraged to be protectors and herders. These are two forms of aggression that have been altered to suit the individual needs of that dog's typical handlers. If I was a sheep herder and needed a dog to help me keep my flock in order, I would pick a breed of dog that “herding” comes natural. I wouldn't choose a Yorkshire Terrier nor would I pick an Alaskan Malamute as neither of these breeds have the natural ability that I would require. These dogs are not programmed to spin a group of animals into a circle or pen. One was programmed to seek and destroy vermin and the other was programmed to pull a sled. Does that mean that they are not capable of herding abilities? I wouldn't say that, it would have to be trained into them from a very early age. Depending on the dog and trainer will depend on the success of creating this ability in these two breeds. If you want a dog in which these abilities come natural, you'd pick a breed that was created for this particular job. 

    Considering what a GSD is bred to do, any form of mishandling these dogs can result in a dangerous situation. They are the third most intelligent breed, but they are also high on the list of dog bite offenders. If you can't give this breed adequate leadership, exercise, socialization, and training, you are asking for trouble. Believe me, I have my own personal experience with this magnificent breed.

    Dr. Frank Beach performed a 30-year study on dogs at Yale and UC Berkeley. Nineteen years of the study was devoted to social behavior of a dog pack. (Not a wolf pack. A DOG pack.) Some of his findings:

• Female dogs have a rigid hierarchy.
• Male dogs have a hierarchy, but it's more variable.
• When you mix the sexes, the rules get mixed up. Females try to follow their constitution, but the males have "amendments."
• Young puppies have what's called "puppy license." Basically, that license to do most anything. Males are more tolerant of puppy license than females are.
• The puppy license is revoked at approximately four months of age. At that time, the older middle-ranked dogs literally give the puppy hell -- psychologically torturing it until it offers all of the appropriate appeasement behaviors and takes its place at the bottom of the social hierarchy. The top-ranked dogs ignore the whole thing.
• There is NO physical domination. Everything is accomplished through psychological harassment. It's all ritualistic.
• A small minority of "alpha" dogs assumed their position by bullying and force. Those that did were quickly deposed. No one likes a dictator.
• The vast majority of alpha dogs rule benevolently. They are confident in their position. They do not stoop to squabbling to prove their point. To do so would lower their status because...
• Middle-ranked animals squabble. They are insecure in their positions and want to advance over other middle-ranked animals.
• Low-ranked animals do not squabble. They know they would lose. They know their position, and they accept it.
• "Alpha" does not mean physically dominant. It means "in control of resources." Many, many alpha dogs are too small or too physically frail to physically dominate. But they have earned the right to control the valued resources. An individual dog determines which resources he considers important. Thus an alpha dog may give up a prime sleeping place because he simply couldn't care less.
  

So what does this mean for the dog-human relationship?
 

• Using physical force of any kind reduces your "rank." Only middle-ranked animals insecure in their place squabble.
• To be "alpha," control the resources. I don't mean hokey stuff like not allowing dogs on beds or preceding them through doorways. I mean making resources contingent on behavior. Does the dog want to be fed? Great -- ask him to sit first. Does the dog want to go outside? Sit first. Dog want to greet people? Sit first. Want to play a game? Sit first. Or whatever. If you are proactive enough to control the things your dogs want, *you* are alpha by definition.
• Train your dog. This is the dog-human equivalent of the "revoking of puppy license" phase in dog development. Children, women, elderly people, and handicapped people -- all are capable of training a dog. Very few people are capable of physical domination.
• Reward deferential behavior, rather than pushy behavior. I have two dogs. If one pushes in front of the other, the other gets the attention, the food, whatever the first dog wanted. The first dog to sit gets treated. Pulling on lead goes nowhere. Doors don't open until dogs are seated and I say they may go out. Reward pushy, and you get pushy.
  

    Your job is to be a leader, not a boss or a dictator. Leadership is a huge responsibility. Your job is to provide for all of your dog’s needs... food, water, vet care, social needs, security, etc. If you fail to provide what your dog needs, your dog will try to satisfy those needs on his own.

That pretty much sums it up, don’t you think?