Blog

10 January 2024

Alpha Dogs, Pack Leaders & Dominance Theory - Debunked

As discussed in the session, whilst there are misinformed professionals (even some on tv!)  still teaching that dogs strive to be alphas or leader of the pack and dominate each other (and us), this is outdated and has been widely debunked in modern science.  Dogs don’t need 

We now know that dogs are not pack animals, unlike their very distant ancestor the wolf,  and don’t need to hang out with a group of dogs - indeed many dogs find it stressful being around too many other dogs. They are not battling for top position in the hierarchy, they just want to get and keep hold of resources, like all of us! Even wolves, who are pack animals do not battle to be ‘in charge’, and what was once believed to be an ‘alpha’ was soon realised to simply be a ‘parent’ raising their young. Interestingly, David Mech, the famous wolf biologist who made the theory of alphas famous worldwide soon learned the errors of his ways and has spent the rest of his career trying to demonstrate to everyone that he was wrong.

We used to think that dogs would try to ‘dominate’ each other for status. This is not correct. Instead consider it this way:

If two dogs were in front of a ball, the one that wants the ball more will do what they need to to get it. This may appear as ‘dominant’ in this situation, but a simpler way to think of it is ‘they just wanted the ball more than the other dog.’

The same two dogs could be in front of a bowl of food and the other leap into action to get it. So in this instance they may appear ‘dominant’ or they just wanted that resource more than the other. 

It’s about resources, not status. I’m paraphrasing the brilliant Barry Eaton here, but you get the point.

I recommend reading this short but informative article. 

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26 April 2023

Good Dogs?

We often hear people say there are no bad dogs - and I agree! But how about we lose the term ‘good dog’ too?

What is a good dog really? Is it one whose behaviour isn’t bothering us? Sometimes that’s fine, but sometimes that can mean that dog is not allowed to be a dog. 

Instead, I like to view dogs as ‘happy, at ease, safe’ Vs ‘unhappy, stressed, not at ease’. 

Once a dog is happy a common by-product is that our life is easier anyway. 

If you ever hear me refer to a dog’s behaviour as ‘good’ please correct me - no not with a lead pop or yank, we’re not philistines here! Or just know I mean “Hooray! That dog’s needs are met right now and it shows!”

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