For years, people have been told that dogs are trying to “dominate” them, that they pull on the leash, jump on the sofa, or ignore cues (commands) because they’re attempting to become the “alpha.” The solution? According to the old-school dominance theory: show them who’s boss.”
Sounds dramatic, right? The problem is, it’s not true. Modern science (and a lot of dog trainers' experience over the years) has debunked dominance-based training as outdated, ineffective, and often harmful. So let’s bust some myths and talk about what actually works when training your dog.
Where Did the Dominance Theory Come From? 🤔
It all started with studies on captive wolves in the 1940s, which observed a strict hierarchy with an “alpha” wolf leading the pack. The assumption? Since dogs are related to wolves (although that fact is still out for question), they must behave the same way.
But there was one big problem: These wolves weren’t living naturally, they were thrown together in artificial groups, leading to unnatural behaviours. Later research on wild wolves found that wolf packs actually function more like families rather than dictatorships. And here’s the kicker: dogs aren’t wolves! Thousands of years of domestication have shaped them into social animals that bond with humans, not compete with them for leadership.
Why Dominance Training Fails ❌
1️⃣ Dogs Aren’t Trying to Take Over Your Household
- When your dog jumps on the sofa, they aren’t staging a hostile takeover, they just like comfy spots!
- If they pull on the leash, it’s not a power struggle, they’re just excited to go sniff, meet other dogs in the neighbourhood or see your next door neighbour, it's exciting stuff that creates energy.
2️⃣ It Damages Trust
- Alpha methods like alpha rolls (forcing a dog onto its back) or intimidation tactics don’t teach respect, they teach fear. A scared dog may shut down or even become reactive.
- Training should build a strong bond based on trust, not make your dog afraid of making a mistake, because just like us they make mistakes, we learn from our mistakes.. so can dogs.
3️⃣ It Ignores the Real Cause of Behaviour
- Dogs repeat what works, if jumping gets attention, they’ll keep doing it. If pulling gets them to their favourite dog park faster, why stop?
- Instead of assuming they’re challenging you, look at what’s reinforcing the behaviour and change it.
What Works Instead? ✅
🐾 Reward-Based Training – Reinforce what you do want instead of punishing what you don’t.
🐾 Clear Communication – Be consistent with cues and rewards so your dog understands what’s expected.
🐾 Fulfilling Their Needs – Many behaviour issues stem from boredom, lack of exercise, or frustration. A mentally and physically stimulated dog is a well-behaved one!
🐾 Trust Over Fear – A dog that trusts you will work with you, not against you. Training should be a partnership, not a battle for control.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Ditch the Alpha Myth
Your dog isn’t plotting world domination, they just need guidance, consistency, and fair training. Dominance-based methods don’t work because they’re based on a flawed theory. Instead, focus on teaching, rewarding, and building a relationship based on trust.
Because in the end, your dog doesn’t need an alpha, they need a partner they can trust💙
Got questions about dog behaviour? Drop them in the comments—we’re happy to help!
Comments