For decades, the concept of dominance in dogs has been widely discussed and often misunderstood. From alpha rolls to pack leadership theories, many dog owners have been led to believe that establishing dominance over their furry companions is essential for effective training and behaviour management. I started training dogs when I was only 12 years old, and many of the principles that I was taught back then very much mirrored these theories. However, scientific research and behavioural studies over the past few years have shed new light on this topic, challenging traditional beliefs and debunking common myths surrounding dominance in dogs.
Dispelling the Myth of Dominance Hierarchy
One of the most pervasive myths about dominance in dogs is the belief in a rigid hierarchy within canine social groups. This theory came from a study with wolves, and it was a pretty poor study to boot. In the study, several unrelated wolves who were strangers to each other, were placed into an enclosure and their behaviour was monitored to determine how they formed a pack hierarchy. This is flawed, as wolf packs actually act as family units, with mom and dad as the breeding pairs, and the other wolves being their children. There is also not a "strict" hierarchy. Mom and dad breed, which makes sense and children's heat cycles are monitored and suppressed to prevent incest. Beyond that, everybody helps in raising pups, scouting and searching for food. You often even find that specific wolves will specialise in specific prey and will lead the pack when hunting their preferred prey. Their is a hierarchy within a pack, but it is not maintained through bullying or aggression, but rather through skills and deference.
Wolf Behaviour vs Dog Behaviour
Even if the wolf theory on dominance was correct, to extrapolate this to our canine companions would be folly. Our dogs started splitting from their wolf ancestors around 10,000 years ago. Behaviours have massively changed and they do not think or act like their wild counterparts anymore. Our dogs display a far more flexible and varied structure. When examining street dogs, who have the autonomy to choose their packs, it can be seen that groups tend to remain small (3-5 dogs is usual), and these groups can actually shift and change as time goes on. Puppies often do not stay with parents, and different groups can often coexist in the same area with ease. Aggression may be shown if food is scarce, or around bitches in heat, but is often avoided otherwise.
Understanding Aggression vs. Dominance
Although there is often a hierarchy within a group, aggression rarely plays a part in determining this. Dominance is often mistakenly associated with assertive or confrontational behaviour, leading some to believe that displaying dominance is synonymous with being aggressive or controlling. In reality, dominance is simply a social dynamic that can manifest in various ways, including confident body language, resource guarding, or maintaining preferred access to resources such as food or attention. Deference is often given to leaders within the pack, rather than individuals deciding that they are dominant nad forcing the rest of the pack into line. I remember being a teenager, whereby my pack consisted of a German Shepherd male, Miniature Duschand female and a Yorkie mix male. The Miniature Duschand was easily the dominant female out of the 3, with my GSD even getting up and moving to allow her to walk through doorways. She was never aggressive or assertive. It was just something that happened in the family dynamics that everyone respected.
It's crucial to recognise that dominance is context-dependent and can vary based on individual temperament, environmental factors, availability of resources and the social dynamics within a family. A dog may display dominant behaviours in certain situations while exhibiting submissive behaviours in others. Additionally, dominance-related behaviours are not necessarily indicative of a desire for social dominance over humans; instead, they may serve as communication tools used to navigate social interactions with other dogs or humans.
Positive Reinforcement-Based Training
Just as our relationship with parenting children has evolved into something more child-led and based on child psychology and development, so has our way of dealing with our dogs.
Contrary to outdated dominance-based training methods that rely on punishment and coercion, modern dog training emphasises positive reinforcement and mutual respect, creating a partnership whereby we work as a team towards mutual goals and understanding. Building a strong bond based on trust, communication, and cooperation is far more effective in fostering a harmonious relationship with your canine companion than attempting to assert dominance through forceful methods, and results in a dog who actually wants to do what you want, rather than a dog who only complies out of fear.
It is important to understand that the traditional Dominance Theory in dogs is fundamentally flawed, and that 'forcing your dog to see you as the alpha' will only result in broken trust in your relationship. By debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding dominance, we can cultivate healthier and more enriching connections with our canine companions, grounded in empathy, kindness, and compassion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the concept of dominance in dogs is far more nuanced and multifaceted than previously believed. By challenging outdated myths and misconceptions, we can gain a deeper understanding of canine behavior and foster healthier relationships with our four-legged companions. Let's embrace positive, science-based approaches to training and behavior management, rooted in empathy and mutual respect, to create a brighter future for dogs and their human companions alike. In the same way that parenting children has moved on from authoritarian methods, to those taking into account child psychology and our children as individual, sentient beings, so has dog training moved into an era of understanding our
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