Over recent years a myth has evolved. That myth is about "dominance" or pack leadership, and "pack rules" are often quoted by trainers who have heard about them from other trainers and so-on.

Completely devoid of foundation, another popular pack theory was written about in a book by Jan Fennell who called herself a "Dog Listener". The author's opinion was that as dogs were descendents of wolves, then we should all behave like wolves to train our dogs. The book was sold widely, and was taken as fact by many dog owners.

The theory is flawed because the author does not quote any scientific evidence to support her views, so her views remain "opinions". And let's not get "opinion" confused with "fact".

Earlier than the "Dog Listener's" book, were some scientific studies done on wolves in the 1940's, (Dr. Frank Beach) where earlier research drew similar conclusions - that is, that as wolves had a distinct hierarchy, then we should treat our dogs in the same way that wolves interacted with each other. In those early findings the original "Dominance Theory" was founded - that of Alpha Rolls. It had been observed that a high ranking wolf would forcibly roll over a lesser ranking dog and pin it to the ground.

More is explained in the link below, by Dr. David Mech, Senior Research Scientist, US Dept. of the Interior.

"Alpha" Wolves?

Before long dog trainers all around the world were telling owners to grab their dogs by the scruff of the neck (or any other means possible), force them to the ground and stand over them. And this, they were told, would ensure that they would be forever dominant over their dogs.

The dog trainers of the time omitted to follow up the research. If they had done so the would have discovered that the ritual was actually instigated by the subordinate wolf and was a voluntary submissive gesture - no force was involved. Therefore the theory was invalid.

When a "Dog Whisperer" came up with another theory, again based on limited wolf observations, this was also accepted without question. Again, we should not mix up "theory" with "fact".

It should not be assumed that ideas and opinions that are presented on television, or published in books are factual. Television dog trainers, authors, trainers and other professionals who quote "pack rules" to dog owners in a parrot fashion way only serve to confuse owners who are already worried about their dog's behaviour.

However, the "dominance" theory was and still is, a very popular theory, largely because it offers the "Instant Fix" and was apparently "kinder" than the first theory. Dog trainers re-invented themselves and became self-styled "behaviourists" and then "dog whisperers" or "dog listeners". These enigmatic dog trainers appeared to give the impression that they have some sort of mysterious power over dogs - and apparently dog owners! The theory promised that owners should stick to a few simple rules which would ensure that their dogs will see them as "Pack Leaders" and thus would be instantly submissive, leaving the owner(s) the dominant pack member. Many dog trainers began quoting the rules to their clients and owners went away to practise the following examples:

1. Go through all doors and gates before your dog

This is a great idea if you want to avoid falling over your dog, or you want to make sure that your dog doesn't rush out on to the road. Nothing to do with being a "Pack Leader" but everything to do with providing training and house rules using positive training methods, which includes rewarding behaviour that is acceptable to us. Sensible trainers and owners have been teaching their dogs not to rush through doors way before the "dominance" theory was invented. Followers of the "dominance" theory seized the training procedure, and marketed it as a "pack rule".

2. Eat before your dog.

It's neither here nor there who eats first. Mostly, I feed my dogs first, because it's convenient but sometimes I eat before they do. It depends on what's convenient at the time. Indeed, what happens if your meal times don't coincide with your dog's mealtimes? Should we all do as one author suggests and call everybody around prior to feeding the dog, and pretend to eat biscuits out of your dog's bowl? And are we to believe that if we give our dogs a snack, that we are supposed to have one as well, just in case the dog gets the notion that his status is being raised because he ate a biscuit and we didn't? It just gets sillier!

There have even been television programmes depicting humans trying to live like a wolf in a wolf pack, or living on all fours pretending to be a dog. This childish display of human arrogance beggers belief! Dogs and wolves know that we're human, whether we're on all fours, eating out of their bowls, and licking their muzzles, or standing upright, leaning on a bar with a pint. We're humans. They are dogs and wolves, and they know the difference! Apparently, nobody has yet tried this masquerade out amongst a herd of elephants, or a pride of lions. Now that would be worth watching!

Superficial and limited studies on captive wolves has no bearing on human and domestic dog behaviour. If I leave my food lying around, my dog will eat it, because he has inherited instincts and is a born scavenger. No amount of "pack rules" will change this. Let's get a reality check and remember that we are living with dogs.

There is more, but you probably get the gist!

And, do you really want a dog so that you can show it how dominant you are? Or do you want to train your dog to be a sociably acceptable companion and a joy to live with?

"But according to a new study from Penn's School of Veterinary Science, Millan's approach may not be quite so effective as he makes it out to be. In fact, the study suggests “firm” discipline—and so-called “aversive” discipline techniques, in which dogs are corrected using aggressive measures—may actually backfire, making dogs more likely to lash out at other dogs, people and even their owners.

According to the study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science, 25 percent of dogs trained with “aversive” techniques react to their training with an aggressive response of their own. Dogs trained in a more positive, encouraging manner, by contrast, showed almost no aggressive behavior."

Written by Tim Hynland, taken from "Penn Current", University of Pennsylvania

FURTHER READING

You can read for yourselves the evidence that is available about how dogs really learn by browsing through my BOOK LIST

Debbie Gillard - Positive Dogs