Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
When you hear someone talking about a “dominant” dog, it might sound like they’re describing a dog’s personality. But here’s the thing: dominance isn’t a personality trait at all. According to leading experts, including Bradshaw et al. (2009), dominance theory is “primarily a descriptive term for relationships between pairs of individuals.” In other words, dominance only makes sense when we’re talking about interactions between two specific animals. So, calling a dog “dominant” without context is actually pretty meaningless. Additionally, do you really need to be the Alpha in dog training?
A Brief History of Dominance Theory
Back in 1947, Swiss zoologist Rudolf Schenkel published a study on wolves living in captivity called Expression Studies on Wolves: Captivity Observations. His research seemed groundbreaking at the time. He noticed that wolves in captivity would fight over resources and appear to be constantly competing for rank within a hierarchy. This idea, now known as dominance theory, started to take shape. It became even more popular when David L. Mech, a respected research scientist and founder of the International Wolf Center, published The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species in 1970.
At this point, many dog trainers jumped on the dominance theory bandwagon. The idea that you needed to be the “Alpha” in your relationship with your dog became widespread. The thinking was that every behavior issue boiled down to a power struggle between you and your dog, and trainers believed that harsh corrections were the way to maintain control. The problem is that this whole theory was based on some pretty flawed assumptions.
The Real Story Behind Schenkel’s Wolves
Here’s a little background to help put things in perspective: By 1933, North America’s wolf population had nearly been wiped out. European wolf populations were also in decline (though I’m not entirely sure on the details for Europe). As a result, Schenkel and other researchers didn’t have access to wild wolves for their studies. They were stuck observing wolves that had been captured and placed together in captivity.
But here’s the catch: these wolves weren’t related. They came from different zoos and had no natural social bonds. So, it’s no wonder they acted aggressively toward each other—they were strangers, thrown into an unnatural environment. The behaviors Schenkel observed weren’t what wolves normally do in the wild. Yet, these captive wolves’ behaviors became the basis for dominance theory.
The Research Evolves
Thankfully, David Mech didn’t stop at his early observations of captive wolves. He spent decades studying wolves in the wild, and his findings told a very different story than what dominance theory suggested. By 1999, after observing wolf packs in their natural habitats, Mech published new research in Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs. His updated studies showed that wild wolf packs are usually family groups—mom, dad, and their offspring. There’s no constant battle for dominance. Instead, the parents naturally lead the pack, and the younger wolves follow along, learning and growing until they leave to start their own families.
Mech himself has since tried to get his earlier book taken out of print because he believes the “alpha wolf” concept is outdated. As he says, “Alpha” implies a struggle for power, when in reality, wolf packs are just family units led by breeding pairs. So instead of talking about “alpha” wolves, researchers now refer to them as the “breeding male” and “breeding female”—just the parents.
But I Have a Dog, Not a Wolf!
Exactly! Dogs and wolves may share a common ancestor, but dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. They’re not wolves. However, dominance theory still managed to shape dog training for decades. Trainers who believed in this theory thought that the only way to get a dog to behave was through force and intimidation. But as our understanding of animal behavior evolved, so did the approach to training.
In the 1970s, the field of behavioral ecology began looking at animals in a more holistic way. Researchers, like American biologist E.O. Wilson, considered not just evolution but also an animal’s ecological environment when studying social behaviors. With these new insights, it became clear that dominance wasn’t the answer to understanding dogs.
Rewriting the Narrative on Dogs and Training
David Mech’s continued research in the wild, along with new studies on animal behavior, helped bring about a major shift in dog training away from dominance theory. In 1985, marine mammal trainer Karen Pryor introduced the world to positive reinforcement training with her book Don’t Shoot the Dog. This new approach quickly gained traction in the dog training community. In 1993, Dr. Ian Dunbar founded the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), which encourages reward-based training methods over aversive techniques. Other experts, like Jean Donaldson and Dr. Patricia McConnell, have since followed suit, helping to revolutionize dog training for the better.
We now know that using positive reinforcement—not fear, intimidation, or punishment—is a far better way to build a trusting, healthy relationship with your dog. When we let go of the outdated ideas of dominance theory, we open up space for clearer communication, mutual respect, and a happier life for both you and your pup.
But What About Mother Dogs Correcting Their Puppies?
It’s true that mother dogs will sometimes correct their puppies, but this isn’t about establishing dominance or reinforcing dominance theory. Dogs know that humans aren’t other dogs, and they don’t expect us to behave like their canine family members. In fact, studies show that dogs view their human caregivers similarly to how human children view their parents. This is called the “Secure Base Effect.” Dogs feel more comfortable exploring their environment and are more confident when their human caregivers are present. This suggests that, like children, dogs see their humans as a source of safety and support—not a source of competition or dominance.
Why Dominance Theory Doesn’t Work with Dogs
The APDT explains that dominance can only exist between members of the same species and only within certain contexts, like competition for resources. Even among dogs, dominance is not about force but rather about one dog peacefully deferring to another. So, when dog training is based on fear and punishment in the name of “dominance theory,” it creates an adversarial relationship. This can lead to mistrust, anxiety, and even aggression in dogs. It certainly doesn’t help foster the kind of loving bond we want with our pets.
On the flip side, when we use positive reinforcement, we show our dogs that we are reliable, safe, and trustworthy. This approach helps build confidence in our dogs, leading to better behavior and a stronger bond.
The Path Forward: Positive Training Methods
The good news is that you don’t need to be the “Alpha” to train your dog! Instead, by using positive reinforcement and effective communication, you can teach your dog what’s expected while building a relationship based on trust and respect. When you focus on proactive training—like managing the environment to prevent unwanted behavior and rewarding the good stuff—you’re setting the stage for a well-adjusted, happy pup.
Ultimately, dogs are not trying to dominate you. Dominance Theory is outdated. They’re just trying to navigate their world. By guiding them gently and positively, you’ll help them grow into confident, well-behaved companions. And isn’t that what we all want?
Sources
Bradshaw et al. (2009) – “Dominance as a descriptive term for relationships between pairs of individuals.”
Reference: Bradshaw, J.W.S., Blackwell, E.J., & Casey, R.A. (2009). Dominance in domestic dogs—useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4(3), 135-144.
Rudolf Schenkel (1947) – Expression Studies on Wolves: Captivity Observations.
Reference: Schenkel, R. (1947). Expression Studies on Wolves: Captivity Observations. Quarterly Review of Biology.
David L. Mech (1970) – The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species.
Reference: Mech, D.L. (1970). The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species. University of Minnesota Press.
Dr. Sophia Yin – Definition of dominance.
Reference: Yin, S. (2009). Dominance in Dogs: Fact or Fiction?. CattleDog Publishing.
David L. Mech (2000) – Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs.
Reference: Mech, D.L. (2000). Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 77, 1196-1203.
David L. Mech (1999) – Updated findings on wolf pack dynamics.
Reference: Mech, D.L. (1999). Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs. Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center Online.
Research on Secure Base Effect in Dogs – Reference to dogs viewing owners similarly to children viewing parents.
Reference: Topál, J., Miklósi, Á., Csányi, V., & Dóka, A. (1998). Attachment behavior in dogs (Canis familiaris): A new application of Ainsworth’s (1969) strange situation test. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 112(3), 219-229.
Karen Pryor (1985) – Don’t Shoot the Dog.
Reference: Pryor, K. (1985). Don’t Shoot the Dog: The New Art of Teaching and Training. Bantam.
Dr. Ian Dunbar (1993) – Founding of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.
Reference: Dunbar, I. (1993). How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks. James & Kenneth Publishers.
APDT Position on Dominance – Clarification on the misuse of the term “dominance.”
Reference: Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). (2009). Position Statement on Dominance Theory in Animal Training. APDT Online.