This theory came about from research done on captive wolf packs by David Mech in the 1960's and has since gone on become an integral part of many dog trainers understanding on dog behaviour. However it has now been proved beyond all doubt that this theory is in fact very flawed and as a result all modern, qualified dog trainers and behaviourists know that using this theory to change behaviour can be very damaging and dangerous to both the dog and people around it. Many trainers who used to follow this myth have now crossed over after realising the error of their ways. Unfortunately there are still plenty out there who firmly believe that asserting themselves as the 'alpha' is the way to go.

So what's wrong with using dominance to explain dogs' behaviour?

Captive wolves behave very differently to wild wolves and thus the theory that since dogs descended from wolves so must behave like them is flawed.

Wild wolves do have a hierarchy but one that replicates the behaviour of most family units i.e. the parents are in charge and the offspring abide by their rules but are also given plenty affection and care. The parents feed their offspring first and control is maintained by body language and vocalisations NOT aggression.

A truly dominant animal (a rare thing) is a calm and cool customer not an aggressive/excitable/out of control one.

Dogs are not wolves- tens of thousands of years of evolution have changed that! Even wild dog packs behave very differently from wolves. The average domestic dog is so far removed from the grey wolf that it is like comparing ourselves with gorilla's. Yes we are 96% the same in terms of DNA but we don't exactly live similar lives do we!

Rules and boundaries are important but dogs do not recognise any human as their pack leader and neither do they try and become a pack leader if their human family don’t take charge. The term parent, teacher or guardian is much more fitting to the role we play in ours dogs lives.

Forcing your dog to roll over in an ‘alpha roll’ will do nothing other than scare your dog and make them likely to bite you. Plus dogs and wolves do not do this.....

Eating first, going through doorways first, not letting your dog jump on you and not letting them pull does not make you the pack leader. Dogs will or will not do this depending on how well they are trained.

Rank reduction programmes, dog whispering, ‘Nothing in Life is Free’ (NILIF) programmes and similar methods of changing behaviour can make problems worse and should be avoided. There are far better, kinder and more effective methods available. For more information please visit my website for links to more information of the dominance myth.

In the words of National Geographic on The Dog Whisperer: 'DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME!'