12/04/2024
HOW TO DOMINATE YOUR DOG
'You just need to be pack leader'
'Wolves have an alpha, so dogs need one too'
'Dogs need a firm hand otherwise they'll take advantage of you'
I'm sure most dog owners would have heard this advice dished out at some point. Some of these ideas have been about for decades.
Times change, knowledge moves on. We used to think it was a great idea to build houses with asbestos, now we realise the benefits probably aren't worth the health risks. Just like advances in safety in construction, understanding how dogs think has come on hugely. We need to discuss why dominating your dog is an idea that still seems to be a loud theory, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
As much as we know more about dogs, we also know a lot more about wolves. The idea of alpha and wolf pack dominance was first presented way back in the 1940s, when a group of captive wolves were observed. The problem with this study is the wolves were thrown together and wolves are naturally very shy creatures, but also quite territorial. How they behaved was not realistic, nor accurate. Further studies observing wolves in the wild found them to actually, naturally live in family units. Mum, Dad, Kids. Mum and Dad are in charge and they raise their young.
The scientist who told us all about the existence of an alpha wolf, says himself this isn't true. Let that sink in. David Mech, the behaviourist who popularised the alpha idea in the 1960s has since retracted his study and actively promotes the inaccuracies in his findings.
Now let's apply this to dogs, because dogs are basically wolves, right? Dogs and Wolves are like Horses and Zebras. You ever seen anyone ride a dressage test on a zebra? Assuming the answer is no, this is because zebras (like wolves) missed out on thousands of years of domestication. Sure, a zebra looks just like a stripey horse. They run similarly, have similar diets, their organs are in the same place. However, the reality is their brains are hard wired completely differently. We can't expect a zebra to act like a horse because they aren't a horse. In the same way a dog isn't a wolf.
Dogs are hardwired to rely on humans. Their evolution and breeding has created this scenario. They work for us, cuddle us, stay loyal to us. In return, we feed them and provide them with a warm place to sleep. Everyone wins. However, dogs are all unique. Different dogs like different things. Some will do anything for food, some find their sleeping spot is the only place they feel relaxed, some are very dependent on their human because they’re desperate to work.
Ever heard the phrase 'pick your battles'? Some people will defend their family to the point of getting physical. For others, their home is their castle and they will go against anyone who threatens that. Some people will get angry over someone taking their last chip! If we think in these terms, it isn't a stretch to realise, dogs often don't want to fight. Living a peaceful life provides far more chance of survival, and they aren't stupid. However, there are some things they might be willing to fight over. A dog may be happy to share their bowl, but will growl at another dog taking their tennis ball. Another dog may happily share their toy box, but won't tolerate feeling trapped. The trick is to identify what each dog values and work with their personality, rather than fight against it. Unpicking their individual drives and triggers makes it a lot easier to communicate with them and for them to understand.
Positive training a pushy dog isn't all fluff and illusion. Handing that treat over is just the tip of the iceberg in the work that it entails. Without an understanding of what's going on in the first place, it's just food. We understand people will have different priorities in life, so why can't we extend that to our pets? When we actually take a second to realise that nature, nurture and circumstance all have a part to play in specific situations, our lives with our dogs get a lot easier.
