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We have all heard the term ‘Alpha Wolf’, but what does it mean? Some social animals that live in groups form what is known as ‘dominance hierarchies’. Hierarchies are not simple or static, meaning they can change over time. The highest-ranking animal is described as the alpha animal in the group. Within a hierarchy, there can be many dominant relationships. An individual animal may be dominant to one or more animals yet subordinate to others. ’Dominance’ refers to status within a specific relationship and is not a personality trait.
How does this apply to wolves and dogs? The terms ‘alpha’ and ‘dominant’ have been misused when describing wolves and dogs. This misuse has contributed to strategies that can be unfair and even dangerous.
Let’s start with the concept of an ‘Alpha Wolf’. Historically, it was thought that wolf packs consisted of a rigid hierarchy that was formed and maintained through aggressive tactics. This information was based on the study of wolves placed in captivity. Newer research has been done on wolves in natural settings, and it turns out that wolf packs are comprised of biological family members, and aggressive displays are uncommon. The ‘Alpha Wolf’ dynamic has been debunked; this is excellent news!
Similarly, research has shown that pet dogs are not aggressive toward household people to become alpha or dominant. Digging deeper, most aggression toward household people is rooted in social conflict. Dogs that show aggression are usually anxious, frustrated, or both, often due to a communication breakdown. After all, dogs speak a different language, and unless you are a trained behavior expert, you might not recognize signs that your dog is uncomfortable.
"Wolves don’t battle continually, and we should not battle with our pet dogs, either."
When people believed their dogs were trying to be alpha, they often tried to meet aggression with aggression. Now, we understand that confrontations only make matters worse. Wolves don’t battle continually, and we should not battle with our pet dogs, either.
Highly respected wolf biologist L. David Mech and many of his peers have dedicated their lives to researching wolf social groups. Wolf packs are family groups of related individuals. This is what wolf leaders really do:
Wolves do not:
Our domestic pet dogs belong to the species Canis familiaris. Dogs are descended from wolves and share some DNA, but wolves and dogs are not identical species either physically or behaviorally. Behaviorally and physically, dogs have evolved to share life with humans better. The dog’s intestinal tract has evolved to better process the carbohydrates humans routinely consume. Behaviorally, even when not specifically trained to do so, domestic dogs respond more consistently to human social cues and gestures than wolves, even if those wolves have been raised as pets and are well socialized with humans.
Like all animals, dogs have emotional and physical needs and engage in behaviors that help them accomplish their goals. There is no evidence that dogs that growl or don’t listen to us are manipulating or aspiring to control people. In the past, when a dog did not listen well, it was described as ‘dominant’. A dog not listening well may not fully understand what is being asked, or the dog may have trouble learning due to underlying pain, a neurologic deficit, or anxiety. Similarly, there are many reasons a dog might growl; a complete medical and behavioral workup should be done to assure safety and improve communication. Be assured that you can safely continue to treat your dog as a cherished family member.
Effective training techniques do not consider social status. Training strategies that focus on creating a pack with a person in charge typically rely on establishing a level of fear that can damage your relationship with your dog. Confrontational training strategies have been linked to fear and aggression in dogs. Trainers advising families to take charge of the pack by eating first, walking through doors first, occupying a higher position, and, worst of all, pinning the dogs into submission are subjecting the dog to unnecessary and sometimes cruel training methods.
"Training strategies that focus on creating a pack with a person in charge typically rely on establishing a level of fear that can damage your relationship with your dog."
Understanding what motivates dogs and learning how to work cooperatively with them is a safer and more humane approach to training. Using positive reinforcement, including science-based techniques of operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and desensitization and counter-conditioning, you can teach your dog desirable behaviors and prevent behavior problems while fostering a strong relationship.
Myth: If you let your dog stay in front of you on walks, he will walk all over you in all other areas of your relationship.
Fact: Dogs may pull when walking on a leash for various reasons. They may desire to play, explore, investigate, or be social. Pulling on the leash can become a learned behavior that is self-rewarding; your dog may gain an opportunity to reach an interesting odor, access another dog or person, or find safety when a situation is scary.
Secondly, how a dog walks on a leash does not reflect your relationship with him. Of course, pulling is not necessarily a desired behavior for the person holding the leash. Teaching your dog to walk on a loose leash without pulling is possible. This training can be done using positive reinforcement. It is best introduced first in a safe environment and free from distractions. Gradually, training can move into more stimulating environments.
It should be noted that teaching a dog to walk nicely on a leash will not improve behaviors such as separation anxiety, aggression, or phobias.
Myth: A tired dog is a good dog.
Fact: It is essential to meet your dog's exercise and behavioral needs by providing various forms of enrichment. Specific requirements will vary based on breed and temperament. However, excessive activity may be harmful, especially for dogs with health concerns, such as heart, respiratory, or joint diseases. Your veterinarian can help determine the safe amount of exercise for your dog.
In addition to needing aerobic exercise, dogs have behavioral needs. Dogs need opportunities for comfortable social interactions and mental stimulation. A two-mile run, a swim, and a chance to play with another dog may be ideal for some younger Labrador retrievers, while a smaller or older dog’s needs may be met by a short walk to the coffee shop and doing tricks for the other patrons. Exercise does not prevent aggression, separation anxiety, phobias, or compulsive disorders. Many athletically fit dogs can demonstrate aggression!
Myth: Dogs should always wait at the door, allowing a human to pass through first.
Fact: Doorways have little significance to dogs, and it is natural for a dog to rush through a doorway to access something interesting or valuable. Most wolves have a narrow, inconspicuous opening to their den, and wolf biologists do not observe confrontations or posturing about pack member order while entering or leaving the den.
Dogs can be taught to do whatever your family prefers at doorways. A dog may be asked to go out first or to wait their turn. A dog who waits at the door will be safer, and humans will be safer, too, as there is less risk of a person being knocked over or jostled. Teaching a dog to wait at the door is a great life skill and can be done with positive reinforcement. When dogs are intimidated, or attempts are made to “dominate” them in doorways, they may become fearful of passing through the door because it predicts something unpleasant. Fear is not the same as respect.
Myth: Eating before your dog does shows him you are his alpha leader.
Fact: Most dogs appreciate receiving a meal and readily eat whether they are fed before, during, or after we eat. Some dogs beg for our food while we eat, even if they have just finished their meal. Just because a dog looks longingly at our meal does not suggest that he is trying to make a behavioral point or be ‘alpha’. A dog tries to get food because food is delicious. Whether you feed your dog before or after you eat will not affect your dog’s relationship with you or change his perceived social status. It is OK to feed your dog at a time that is most convenient for you—keeping it consistent, whether before or after your meal, is helpful as most dogs benefit from having a predictable routine.
By the way, wolves in packs do not display a meal-time hierarchy; in times of plenty, everyone eats together, and in times of scarcity, the parent wolves ensure their offspring are fed first.
"Whether you feed your dog before or after you eat will not affect your dog’s relationship with you or change his perceived social status."
Myth: Don’t allow your dog on the furniture or your bed. If you allow your dog to be on the same level as you, you are elevating his status and lowering yours.
Fact: Wolves don’t use height or elevation as a sign of social status or control, nor do dogs. Wildlife biologists do not observe the acquisition of higher places associated with confrontation or challenge among wolves. Dogs and wolves choose resting places based on comfort. They may also select a resting spot that allows them to observe prey or approaching enemies.
Allowing your dog to rest on the furniture will not contribute to your dog’s attempting to control your household or be alpha. The only pertinent questions are: Do you want your dog on the bed, couch, or chair? Is it safe to have your dog in those places with you? Do you enjoy that interaction with your pet, or would you rather not have dog hair in your bed? These are personal choices for you unless your dog is showing unwanted behavior while in these locations. For example, sleeping in bed with a dog who tends to react aggressively when startled awake is not a good idea.
Myth: If you establish eye contact with a dog, the dog must avert his gaze first.
Fact: Dogs do display submission or appeasement by diverting their eyes. Looking away can also mean fear, conflict, or anxiety. Some dogs find direct eye contact, especially from strangers, very upsetting. Do not stare into a dog’s eyes and wait for the dog to look away. Staring at dogs, especially if they are under stress or do not know you well, can lead to preventable, dangerous situations.
Dogs comfortable with people may purposely establish eye contact to communicate and learn. Research suggests dogs have the unique, innate ability to observe and learn from human gestures and eye gaze. Dogs will look where humans point or gaze. Wolves do not show this skill!
You can teach your dog to watch your face on cue; then, you have his attention, and if your dog is watching you instead of something else, many problems can be avoided. For example, if your dog is prone to barking at dogs on a walk, then when other dogs pass by, you can give him a ‘watch’ cue and reward him for staring into your eyes.
