LIFETYLE NEWS - In 1947, Rudolph Schenkel, an animal behaviourist, published a paper entitled Expression Studies on Wolves. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Schenkel conducted extensive research on wolves in captivity at the Basel Zoo in Switzerland. His study aimed to define the "sociology of the wolf."
Schenkel observed that when placed together in a zoo environment, the dominant or "Alpha" male and female wolves would take charge and govern the rest of the pack.
By drawing parallels between wolf and dog behaviour, Schenkel concluded that domestic dogs also require a pack structure with an alpha dog in control.
The Wolf: Ecology and Behaviour of an Endangered Species is a book written in the late 1960s by L. David Mech, a researcher who continued Schenkel's work. Mech used Schenkel's Alpha wolf terminology in the book and synthesised the available wolf knowledge at the time, incorporating a significant amount of his study.
The book was first published in 1970 and reissued in 1981, selling over 120,000 copies, and is widely acknowledged for its role in popularising the dominance theory, thereby significantly impacting the field of wolf ecology. Mech's work not only popularised the dominance theory but also significantly influenced the field of wolf ecology, marking a crucial turning point in our understanding of wolf and dog behaviour.
By the late 1990s, Mech had distanced himself from Schenkel's work, a significant shift that underscored the evolution of understanding in the field. His study of a pack of wild wolves revealed that most wild wolf packs function as family units, with the parents taking the lead and the offspring following.
This understanding—that the majority of wild wolf packs are family groups formed similarly to human families, rather than being organised groups of unrelated animals with a single 'top dog' fighting its way to the top—was a game-changer. In contrast, Schenkel's studied wolves were unrelated, varied in age, and were kept in an artificial environment, preventing them from displaying 'normal' wolf behaviour.
As a result, other behaviours emerged, incorrectly labelled as part of the 'Alpha' theory. In summary, Mech's earlier findings on dominance did not apply to wild wolves, let alone domestic dogs. The term 'Alpha Wolf' has gradually disappeared from academic articles and studies.
Regrettably, it has taken much longer for the general public's understanding of both dogs and wolves to catch up, to the detriment of many dogs.
Just as we wouldn't seek medical advice from a doctor who disregarded medical advancements from the last century, why would we train dogs using methods from 1910?
Numerous research studies indicate that using dominance-based methods for dog training can be harmful to both the effectiveness of the training and the well-being of the dog. Thankfully, many trainers now employ humane and force-free techniques, such as clicker training, to enhance the speed and complexity of training.
These methods also help in building stronger bonds and better communication between the handler and the dog. These techniques are especially beneficial for dogs displaying unwanted behaviours like aggression, anxiety, excessive barking, reactivity, and house-training issues.
But I must be the dominant alpha wolf at home
Before we debunk the misconceptions about dominance theory, let's first delve into the scientific concept of dominance in the animal kingdom.
Dominance, in this context, refers to a relationship between two or more individuals of the same species, where one individual yields to another, often for access to a resource like food, water, or a possible mate.
This understanding, rooted in scientific observation, provides a solid foundation for our discussion on dog behaviour and training. It empowers you with a deeper understanding of your canine companion and the responsibility to train them in a way that respects their nature and enhances their well-being.
Although dominance is a recognised scientific term, it has lost some meaning in dog training and behaviour since it is frequently used to describe a dog's personality or genetic makeup. In a wolf pack, the 'alpha' is not a tyrant ruling over the other members, but a responsible leader who ensures the pack's survival.
Since any harm resulting from an injury would make a wolf in the wild vulnerable, aggression is rarely used in this situation, as an injury to one member of the pack would likely harm the entire pack.
Instead, one animal peacefully relinquishes the resource, with many different criteria playing a role, such as the animal's age, nutritional status, overall health at the time, and environmental circumstances. According to the dominance theory, dogs often exhibit aggressive behaviour to subjugate people or other animals and establish themselves as the household's pack leader or 'alpha' dog.
However, this interpretation of dog behaviour is a misconception. Dogs are not trying to dominate their owners; rather, they are seeking guidance and leadership.
The dominance-based approach to behaviour problems often involves intimidating, manhandling, or putting pressure on the dog until they 'submit' to the human. This can be highly aversive for the dogs and severely damage their relationship with their owners. More importantly, this approach doesn't focus on specific 'problems' but is a blanket approach, which we now know doesn't teach the dog what to do (or not) in certain situations. Thus, unwanted behaviours may be unaffected.
This ineffectiveness should prompt us to seek alternative, more positive, and effective training methods. Thirdly, dominance-based approaches can have significant behavioural fallout, potentially causing a dog to become fearful, shut down, or depressed, or to become aggressive and lash out at their treatment. The harm caused by dominance-based training should be a cause for concern and a strong motivation to seek more humane and effective training methods.
Finally, the approach doesn't take into consideration the many possible sources of unwanted behaviour, such as underlying medical conditions, pain, fear, or stress. A dog cannot be alpha rolled out of urinating inside if he has an untreated urinary tract infection!
Debunking common myths about dominance in dogs
Myth: Your dog acts dominant if he pulls on the leash because he tries to lead you.
Truth: Dogs likely pull on a leash because they smell something interesting and want to investigate to better understand their environment, or they learn that pulling gets them to where they want to go much faster. It is normally the person on the other end of the leash who reinforces the pulling behaviour.
Myth: Your dog may jump up and lick your face to reach a "higher" status.
Truth: Puppies greet each other face-to-face to maintain social bonds; thus, jumping up can be an attempt to greet you and show affection. We humans normally reinforce jumping up because we give them the attention they want when they do so, reinforcing the behaviour.
Myth: Your dog is likely trying to establish authority if he humps your leg.
Truth: Although humping could be a sexual behaviour, over-excited dogs, stressed dogs or even playful dogs might engage in humping behaviours as well.
Myth: If your dog defends his food or toys from you, he is asserting his dominance.
Truth: Dogs might guard their food or toys as these are high-value items that they don't want to lose, especially if they've learned that they can be taken away and not returned.
Because we understand our dogs better today, we can use positive reinforcement training methods to ensure that dog-owner bonds are not damaged.
To grasp science-based dog training, it's essential to comprehend how we can effectively communicate with dogs using methods that align with their instincts. As dogs cannot understand human language, it's essential to find gentle yet effective ways to guide them and teach them in a way they understand.
It is time for dog owners to move away from old, outdated, and debunked beliefs and start communicating in a way their dogs will understand.
Article by George van Huyssteen (DipCABT, CCAB, CAPBT, MHERA)
As part of an educational drive, local animal behaviourist George Van Huyssteen will answer readers' questions once a week online. This way it could also help others facing similar problems with their pets.
Describe your challenges in a short email and send it to neuropaws@gmail.com. Every week, he will select a question to answer.
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