Some people have this belief that the "pack leader" needs to go through the door first, that their dog should never get on the furniture, that the owner should eat first. (How on earth does a dog work out that when the owner eats first, that makes him/her the "pack leader"??) My dogs all get on the furniture, they usually go throught the door first, I play with them on the floor, etc. Yet when I say "Down" or whatever, they obey instantly…..not because I forced them to obey me, but because my training has been based on positive reinforcement. We are all one big family, as a real wolf pack actually is. The so-called "pack leader" of wolves does not necessarily go "in front" as someone said. He may, or may not, instigate the "ritual" which is the precursor to a hunt. He will very often play with puppies, and let them play with his tail and climb over him……he is, in fact, very tolerant to his off-spring and his family. He does not necessarily eat first at the kill, and will often regurgitate in order that the females and pups eat.

Interesting discussion!! :-))

I think some people are simply on a power trip. They want to DEMAND respect when all you have to do is spend time training. Most people I come across that claim their dogs are dominant, have dominance issues themselves.

I have talked to so many people that had simple issues that escalated into serious ones, because the were attempting to execute some sort of "dominance" exercises. It’s just crazy.

I love your site, by the way! So much great info in one place!

The whole idea of dominance has been misconstrude. Dominance does not mean physically being dominant. Rarely ever will you see a dominant dog need to exercise its dominance physically. You will however see the dominant dog in a group eat first, walk IN FRONT of the pack, reprimand unwanted behavior, and even choose who gets to socialize when and with whom. The dominant dog in a pack controls every aspect of that pack without having to get physically aggressive with any other member. This is what owners should strive for because it leads to an overall balanced dog. And really, when you boil it down, it really is that black and white. A dog won’t act out of order when its alpha is present. I challenge anyone to SCIENTIFICALLY prove that a dog thinks rationally as we humans do. Their behavior is 100% based on instinct. They are not compassionate, emotional animals. They do not rationalize why it isn’t a good idea to chew your couch or your visitors. They instinctually behave. You give me one expert who has disproven that canid behavior is all about instincts (which then directly ties into pack order) and I will show you someone making up the data.

True leadership isn’t about physically pushing others around. It isn’t about being controlling or bossy or intimidation. It IS about respect, and keeping one another safe. It is about seeing to the needs of those you are leading, even if those needs are to enforce structure and manners.

There are leaders that earn respect by their acts and how they live: Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, JFK, etc.

There are people who take leadership by force: Hitler, Saddam Hussein, the class bully.

You may choose not to cross the school bully to his face, but you will never offer respect in any lasting form.

Dominance is a term overused in relation to dog behavior. And Alpha should be thrown out, as it is a catchword not fully understood by most people tossing it casually about.