The “pack” and “dominance” theory of domestic dogs is a harmful meme. It prevents many owners understanding their dogs, causes untold misery for both and is perpetuated by well-meaning but uninformed dog trainers around the world. Why won't dominance die? Assoc of Pet Behavior Counsellors
A new study shows how the behaviour of dogs has been misunderstood for generations: in fact using misplaced ideas about dog behaviour and training is likely to cause rather than cure unwanted behaviour. The findings challenge many of the dominance related interpretations of behaviour and training techniques suggested by current TV dog trainers. Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat Science News Daily
One of the most common forms of canine aggression is owner-directed aggression, formerly known as dominance aggression. The classical view was that dogs who growl, lift their lips, snap or bite their owners over resources, postural interventions, or admonishment, are displaying "dominant" behavior toward them. Thus, owners were told to dominate their dogs to become the "alpha" and to use physical methods to straighten out the relationship. It is now known that anxiety and conflict fuel owner-directed aggression and physical methods of dealing with it lead to increased aggression. Avoidance of conflict and proper leadership, on the other hand, can reduce or eliminate the problem without need for physical intervention. Dr Nicholas Dodman, Head of Tufts Animal Behavior Dept.
Dr. Ian Dunbar
One of the biggest mistakes people make in dog training is blaming their dog’s behavior problems on “leadership” or “dominance” instead of poor training........... You are a human, of course you’re in charge! Train your dog well and they’ll want to listen to your every word, even when they’re chasing a squirrel and you don’t have a food treat. from Who's the Boss
David Mech
The concept of the alpha wolf is well ingrained in the popular wolf literature at least partly because of my book "The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species," written in 1968, published in 1970, republished in paperback in 1981, and currently still in print, despite my numerous pleas to the publisher to stop publishing it. Although most of the book's info is still accurate, much is outdated. We have learned more about wolves in the last 40 years then in all of previous history. One of the outdated pieces of information is the concept of the alpha wolf. "Alpha" implies competing with others and becoming top dog by winning a contest or battle. However, most wolves who lead packs achieved their position simply by mating and producing pups, which then became their pack. In other words they are merely breeders, or parents, and that's all we call them today, the "breeding male," "breeding female," or "male parent," "female parent," or the "adult male" or "adult female." In the rare packs that include more than one breeding animal, the "dominant breeder" can be called that, and any breeding daughter can be called a "subordinate breeder." David Mech
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Position Statement Dominance and Dog Training
Dogs are not wolves. The idea that dog behavior can be explained through the application of wolf behavior models is no more relevant than suggesting that chimpanzee behavior can be used to explain the intricacies of human behavior. While wolves and dogs share some
similarities in behavior, there are many more significant differences. Dog training and behavior modification strategies that rely primarily on misinterpretations of wolf behavior are therefore irrelevant, ineffective and can lead to serious negative complications.
Dominance Myths and Dog Training Realities
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory
The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follows from it. Instead, the AVSAB emphasizes that animal training, behavior prevention strategies, and behavior modification programs should follow the scientifically based guidelines of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization,and counter conditioning
More Articles:
Dominance - Challenging Traditional Thinking Veterinary Times
Beyond the Dominance Paradigm Patricia McConnell
Dominance is not a Personality Trait Dr Sophia Yin
Pack Leadership The Dunbars
A new study shows how the behaviour of dogs has been misunderstood for generations: in fact using misplaced ideas about dog behaviour and training is likely to cause rather than cure unwanted behaviour. The findings challenge many of the dominance related interpretations of behaviour and training techniques suggested by current TV dog trainers. Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat Science News Daily
One of the most common forms of canine aggression is owner-directed aggression, formerly known as dominance aggression. The classical view was that dogs who growl, lift their lips, snap or bite their owners over resources, postural interventions, or admonishment, are displaying "dominant" behavior toward them. Thus, owners were told to dominate their dogs to become the "alpha" and to use physical methods to straighten out the relationship. It is now known that anxiety and conflict fuel owner-directed aggression and physical methods of dealing with it lead to increased aggression. Avoidance of conflict and proper leadership, on the other hand, can reduce or eliminate the problem without need for physical intervention. Dr Nicholas Dodman, Head of Tufts Animal Behavior Dept.
Dr. Ian Dunbar
One of the biggest mistakes people make in dog training is blaming their dog’s behavior problems on “leadership” or “dominance” instead of poor training........... You are a human, of course you’re in charge! Train your dog well and they’ll want to listen to your every word, even when they’re chasing a squirrel and you don’t have a food treat. from Who's the Boss
David Mech
The concept of the alpha wolf is well ingrained in the popular wolf literature at least partly because of my book "The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species," written in 1968, published in 1970, republished in paperback in 1981, and currently still in print, despite my numerous pleas to the publisher to stop publishing it. Although most of the book's info is still accurate, much is outdated. We have learned more about wolves in the last 40 years then in all of previous history. One of the outdated pieces of information is the concept of the alpha wolf. "Alpha" implies competing with others and becoming top dog by winning a contest or battle. However, most wolves who lead packs achieved their position simply by mating and producing pups, which then became their pack. In other words they are merely breeders, or parents, and that's all we call them today, the "breeding male," "breeding female," or "male parent," "female parent," or the "adult male" or "adult female." In the rare packs that include more than one breeding animal, the "dominant breeder" can be called that, and any breeding daughter can be called a "subordinate breeder." David Mech
Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Position Statement Dominance and Dog Training
Dogs are not wolves. The idea that dog behavior can be explained through the application of wolf behavior models is no more relevant than suggesting that chimpanzee behavior can be used to explain the intricacies of human behavior. While wolves and dogs share some
similarities in behavior, there are many more significant differences. Dog training and behavior modification strategies that rely primarily on misinterpretations of wolf behavior are therefore irrelevant, ineffective and can lead to serious negative complications.
Dominance Myths and Dog Training Realities
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory
The AVSAB recommends that veterinarians not refer clients to trainers or behavior consultants who coach and advocate dominance hierarchy theory and the subsequent confrontational training that follows from it. Instead, the AVSAB emphasizes that animal training, behavior prevention strategies, and behavior modification programs should follow the scientifically based guidelines of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization,and counter conditioning
More Articles:
Dominance - Challenging Traditional Thinking Veterinary Times
Beyond the Dominance Paradigm Patricia McConnell
Dominance is not a Personality Trait Dr Sophia Yin
Pack Leadership The Dunbars
