You Are Not Your Dog’s Alpha — And That’s a Good Thing
Originally published on 2/5/2020 in APDT Chronicle of the Dog (Spring 2020) and Edition Dog, Issue 13
In a world full of punishment-based training and television quick fixes for dog behavior problems, clients often tell me they’re concerned their dog is trying to be the “alpha” in the home or that their dog must obey because the owner is the “boss.”
I don’t blame owners for thinking this way. Like many others, they were raised on the “Dominance Theory,” an outdated idea still promoted in popular media as the proper approach to dog training.
Where Did the Dominance Theory Come From?
The concept originated from a 1930s–1940s study by animal behaviorist Rudolph Schenkel. He observed wolves in captivity and concluded they fought for dominance. The problem? These wolves weren’t from the same natural pack. They were pulled from different wild families and forced to live together. In captivity, their unnatural environment led to aggression — as is often the case with confined animals.
Despite its flaws, Schenkel’s theory spread and was applied not only to wild wolves but also to domesticated dogs.
What Science Later Taught Us
From 1986 to 1999, researcher David Mech studied wild wolves in their natural Canadian habitats. He discovered something profoundly different: wolf packs are actually family units consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring — not a group constantly vying for dominance.
In his 2000 article, Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs, Mech wrote:
“Attempting to apply information about the behavior of assemblages of unrelated captive wolves to the familial structure of natural packs has resulted in considerable confusion… The concept of the alpha wolf as a ‘top dog’ ruling a group… is particularly misleading.”
Unfortunately, the media clung to Schenkel’s older interpretation, and many punishment-based trainers continue to ignore updated science.
As science evolves, so should our practices. I commit to embracing what research supports and applying it ethically and compassionately in my work.
Two Scenarios — Which One Do You Prefer?
When I say, “I am my dog’s caregiver, not their alpha,” it often surprises clients. But I believe our relationships with dogs should be built on cooperation and trust — not fear.
Scenario 1:
You go to work, receive a paycheck, maybe even a bonus. These rewards motivate you to keep working and enjoy the experience.
This is positive reinforcement-based training — dogs learn and want to cooperate because it’s rewarding.
Scenario 2:
You’re in prison and told to mop the floor. If you don’t, you’ll lose privileges. You comply to avoid punishment, not because it’s fulfilling.
This reflects the dominance-based punishment model, where obedience is fear-driven.
Which would you prefer for yourself? Why would we choose differently for our dogs?
Humans Already Control Everything
Let’s be honest: humans already control every part of a dog’s life.
We decide:
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What and when they eat
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When and how long they go outside
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Where they sleep
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Who they can interact with
Why then do we feel the need to further assert dominance by taking away their food bowls or forcing them to submit?
They already know who’s in control.
“Letting Your Dog Win” Isn’t Weakness — It’s Communication
If a dog growls when I approach something they value, I thank them for the warning and back away. That dog isn’t trying to dominate me. He’s expressing that this item matters to him.
Of course, persistent resource guarding needs to be addressed — but not through force. Instead, I develop a positive reinforcement-based behavior plan, where we work together, at the dog’s pace, to change how they feel about the situation.
By the end, the dog is excited for me to approach — not afraid. They no longer worry I’m going to take something away. In fact, they learn that I’ll often add something better.
The Relationship I Built with My Dog, Jeter
James O’Heare once wrote in Aggressive Behavior in Dogs:
“Using social dominance as a basis for interpreting or interacting with companion animals frames the relationship as adversarial.”
That’s the opposite of what I want with my dog.
Jeter, my adopted dog, had several behavioral challenges:
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Growled during nail trims
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Barked excessively at strangers
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Snapped when I moved him in bed
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Chased cats
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Growled at my husband when they first met
We overcame each of these together.
As his caregiver, my job is to make him feel safe and supported. It’s my ethical responsibility to “do no harm” — physically or emotionally.
Nail trims aren’t just grooming; they’re a trust issue. Bedtime isn’t just routine; it’s relationship-building. I wanted Jeter to like me coming to bed, not fear it.
Trust Over Time
As we continued our work together, Jeter’s trust in me grew.
Eventually, I never had to tell him to move over in bed — he did it on his own. Why? Because it meant love, affection, and connection. That’s what was in it for him.
Final Thoughts
Let me close with one more quote from James O’Heare:
“…the concept of dominance poses a very significant risk of damaging the social relationship between guardians and their dogs… It is counterproductive and could constitute a breach of our ethic to do no harm.”
Stop following outdated advice from TV personalities.
Start listening to science.
And more importantly — listen to your dog.
He’ll thank you for it.
References
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Schenkel, Rudolph. Expression Studies on Wolves, 1947. Internet Archive
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O’Heare, James. Aggressive Behavior in Dogs. 2nd ed., BehaveTech Publishing, 2014.
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Mech, L. David. Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, vol. 77, no. 8, 1999, pp. 1196–1203. DOI:10.1139/z99-099
