Is your dog dominant or submissive? Here’s what you need to know about alpha dogs and dominance theory.
So you want to know if your dog is dominant or submissive. I hate to break it to you, that was actually a trick question because…
The answer is neither!
Dominance theory is a myth, your dog is not a pack animal, and there is no alpha.
Let’s talk about this a little more!
Dominance became popular after a study on captive wolves where it was stated there is an “alpha” and a “beta” wolf, which then got transfered to dogs because some people think dogs and wolves are the same. However, as there has been more research around wolves in their natural environment, wildlife biologist, L. David Mech has stated that he was incorrect and no longer uses the terms alpha or beta.
“So, the next time you hear someone talk about the alpha wolf, remember that it is likely a myth, and we should focus on learning about the real social structures and behaviors of wolf packs.”
Source Article: Debunking the Alpha Wolf: Why We Need to Rethink Our Understanding of Wolf Packs
Now you might be wondering…
“Those are wolves, what does that have to do with dogs?”
Exactly!
Dogs are not wolves. And dogs are not pack animals.
Nor are they den animals. You can read more about that here. They do not see themselves, or you, as the “alpha” or “leader of the pack.”
Let’s take a look at the definition of dominance.
According to the AVSAB Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals:
“Dominance is defined as a relationship between individual animals that is established by force/aggression and submission, to determine who has priority access to multiple resources such as food, preferred resting spots, and mates (Bernstein 1981; Drews 1993). Most undesirable behaviors in our pets are not related to priority access to resources; rather, they are due to accidental rewarding of the undesirable behavior.”
What does “dominance based training” typically entail?
What’s often seen is:
Physical and verbal corrections for unwanted behavior
Not allowing the dog to walk in front of the person “due to rank and leadership”
Alpha rolling aka rolling the dog onto their back to force them to submit
Utilizing tools such as prong collars, ecollars, choke chains, slip leads.
No getting on the furniture (sometimes it’s allowed with permission)
Forced place time and putting your dog in “time out” in a crate
“Pack Walks”
Removing/withholding food and attention
Forcibly moving a dog around or stepping into a their space
This isn’t okay. This is not teaching the dog what to do and is not getting to the root cause. When you utilize dominance and punishment with your dog’s training you risk damaging the relationship with your dog.
It doesn’t matter what it is. It doesn’t matter if it’s using an e-collar at its lowest setting or its highest. It doesn’t matter if it’s saying “uh-uh” in a stern voice or crowding into your dog’s space when they break a sit or step off of their place. If your dog finds it to be aversive, there can (and likely will) be fallout, because:
There are well documented negative side effects from the use of punishment in learning.
Let’s look at what some of those side effects are:
learned helplessness
increased fear and anxiety
generalized apathy
redirected aggression
avoidance
increase in “bad” behaviors
Not only are these side effects concerning because they are often unproductive for training - but they are also concerning because they directly impact the emotional and mental health of our dogs. If your dog finds it to be aversive, there can (and likely will) be fallout. And when we add aversives and punishments to the learning process, we are gambling.
We are crossing our fingers and saying “I sure hope the fallout doesn’t happen to my dog!”
I want to remind you that…
Your dog’s behavior issues are not caused by a lack of leadership and structure.
Your dog’s behavior issues are actually just behavior to your dog and a way for them to communicate what they are feeling.
Leadership and dominance don’t solve behavior. Structure doesn’t solve behavior. You can’t solve behavior. What you can do is look for the underlying cause of the behavior (ex: pain, fear, anxiety, discomfort), treat the underlying cause, and teach your dog alternative behaviors that you prefer through the use of positive reinforcement.
Your dog is a captive animal in your home.
Everything in their life is already controlled by you.
They physically can not go out to the store and get their own food when they want to, they can not go and buy new toys when they want to, and they can not just go out of the front door to go for a walk when they want to. They deserve to be provided with a life free from punishment and given more freedom without having to “earn” it.
Your dog deserves...
Freedom to sniff.
Freedom to play.
Freedom to not have to work for all of their food.
Freedom to walk at their own pace wearing comfortable gear.
Freedom to use the bathroom whenever they need to.
Freedom to relax and sleep on comfy surfaces. Even if that means the couch.
Freedom to be a dog.
P.S. Need help with training your dog?
We offer 2:1 online training sessions where you get to work with both of us and start creating positive change in your dog’s behavior! You’ll start out with an Initial Training and Behavior Consultation or book a complimentary 20-Minute Discovery Call.
