|
Everyone who has ever had any kind of behavioral problem with their dog has probably been told by someone, "You're not the leader. Your dog is being dominant."
Not only is this misguided and outdated, some of the techniques used in classical dominance reconditioning can alter the relationship between an owner and his dog. In some cases, methodology like the ‘alpha roll’ can get an owner bitten. The Monks of New Skete used to advocate the alpha roll in their books too, but when many owners were bitten by their dogs, they removed this suggestion from future editions.
What is Dominance Training Methodology?
Dominance training is based in the concept of making the dog submit in all circumstances. It is this trainer’s belief that if your dog is disobedient, never-mind the reasons, you are not the ‘leader of the pack.’
Methods for establishing dominance over dogs have included:
- The alpha roll or making your dog roll on its back for you
- Ear pinching
- Neck grabbing to simulate a bite
- Direct eye contact and staring
- Hanging by leash and collar to make the dog gasp for breath
All of these maneuvers are very threatening and can be frightening. Rather than submission, it is not uncommon for dogs to growl and/or bite to ward off these perceived attacks by their owners.
Aggression Begets Aggression
There was a case where a woman contacted a trainer for assistance with her aggressive dog. She claimed the dog growled and bit her for no reason, but when the trainer watched the owner and dog interacting, what was really happening was the woman was using dominance theory to get her dog to do things. This created a lot of anxiety in the dog, and every time the woman looked like she was going to do something, the dog preemptively reacted with growling and biting. When the woman’s actions were changed to non-confrontational and were a positive based style of training, the growling and biting ceased.
What Is Wrong With Dominance Theory?
People have created dominance theory by watching mostly captive wolf packs. Dogs are not wolves, although descended from them. They have been domesticated for thousands of years. The ways in which they interact with us and other dogs is far more fluid than might be suggested by wolf and dominance theory. Wolves and wild dogs have little if any interaction in the wild with humans. They prefer to avoid; whereas, our domesticated dogs seek out human interaction.
How we interact with the canine species is what is important. Most people seek to use dominance theory in place of actual training. Your dog is not dominant if it jumps on you to greet you. Rather, you have not trained it not to jump! Your dog is not dominant if it exits a doorway prior to you. Rather you have not properly trained a wait command!
What to do Instead:
You and your dog have a partnership. You are the more responsible partner and you guide the relationship. If you don’t guide it, your dog will fill the void you have left. Your dog wants you to tell it what to do in a respectful and intelligent manner.
To establish a healthy, working partnership with your dog:
- Establish rules and boundaries
- Let your dog know you expect things from it
- Motivate your dog to learn with praise, treats and toys
- Be positive and consistent in your training
- A benevolent leader is more respected
Establishing a healthy relationship with your dog is important, and there are ways to correctly become your dog's leader. To learn how: Being Your Dog's Leader.
The copyright of the article Debunking the Dominance Theory in Dogs in Dog Training is owned by Kim Downing. Permission to republish Debunking the Dominance Theory in Dogs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Jul 4, 2009 3:47 PM
Guest :
Kim is so right... just to back up what Kim says:
A recent
scientific paper in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical
Applications and Research, Volume 4, Issue 3:
"Using 'dominance'
to explain dog behaviour is old hat"
Some clippings from
press release at Bristl University website,
http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2009/6361.html
"individual
relationships between dogs are learnt through experience rather than
motivated by a desire to assert dominance"
"training
approaches aimed at 'dominance reduction' vary from being worthless in
treatment to being actually dangerous and likely to make behaviours
worse"
“In our referral clinic we very often see dogs which
have learnt to show aggression to avoid anticipated punishment. Owners are
often horrified when we explain that their dog is terrified of them, and is
showing aggression because of the techniques they have used – but its not
their fault when they have been advised to do so, for example by
unqualified ‘behaviourists’ recommending such techniques.”
“Sadly, many techniques used to teach a dog that his owner is leader of
the pack is counter-productive; you won’t get a better behaved dog, but you
will either end up with a dog so fearful it has suppressed all its natural
behaviours and will just do nothing, or one so aggressive it’s dangerous to
be around.”
Jul 6, 2009 10:55 AM
Guest :
I have heard that <a
href="http://www.askdryin.com/dominanceindogs.php">dominance
in dogs</a> is a myth. Is this true?
Sep 16, 2009 2:52 PM
Guest :
I live with 8 German Shepherds in my home. IN MY HOME. They are not in a
kennel. They live in a true pack. I have intact females and males. Some are
altered. All of them play and live together. How did that happen? My dogs
have a hierarchy that they maintain amongst themselves AND with me. If you
have 5 German Shepherds wanting to go outside, and you open the door, I can
tell you that it IS extremely important to them who goes through that door
first. It IS important to them who eats first, who sleeps where, and
pushing their way into a human's space (jumping) to see what respect they
should in fact show that human. There are many meanings to dog jumping from
looking for direction from their owners, to wondering if this human demands
respect? It is not just "training". It is about respecting each
other. I am here to tell you that dogs absolutely must have leadership in
order to survive emotionally just as their ancestors. HOW that leadership
is effectuated is the discussion HERE, NOT whether it is necessary for the
mental health of the dog. Dogs MUST know who the leader is. Their family or
PACK orientation is just like the wolf whether people want to believe it or
not. A dominance roll may not be the best technique or necessary to
establish leadership. How a human holds their posture in the dog's presence
- are they as high as the dog, or the same level? More bites (especially in
the face) happen to people who get down on the dog's level, than if they
maintain their leadership by standing erect in the dog's presence. What
does that say about height in relationship to respect and authority? I will
tell you that EVERY dog I have worked with that has behavior issues can be
improved when a proper leadership program is in place in the home. I find
it quite frustrating that people have now made dog training something that
must be "politically correct" (no physical confrontations with
the dog) instead of really honoring and understanding how dogs think and
live. Dogs are physical beings. That is the way they communicate. What
really should be discussed here is NOT whether dominance or
"leadership" is required for a healthy dog to dog or dog to human
relationship. But, it is what is abuse (hanging, etc) and what actually
communicates to the dog? I hold to the truth that we need to debunk the
debunking the dominance myth. It is NO myth. HOW we SHOW and maintain
dominance or leadership is the REAL issue and what is most effective for
communicating that to the dog.
Sep 17, 2009 3:57 PM
Kim Downing :
Thanks for the comments thus far and keep it going! I'm glad everyone is
enjoying the article. I would like to respond to the 3rd post. Dominance
and leadership are not the same thing. Yes, it is quite important for one
to be a leader within a group of dogs. In every group of any living
beings, there is a leader. BUT, a leader does not have to dominate to
lead. Domination is more about being a bully, posturing,
punishments....leadership with dogs is more about motivation, consistency,
and yes, training. Requiring behaviors is the key. Perhaps an article on
Nothing in Life is Free is in order next from me!
4 Comments
|
