As time goes on, we learn more about the pets in our lives and how best to care for them, and it can be difficult to keep track of what’s recommended and what isn’t as advice can fast become outdated.
For years, the dominance theory was promoted in dog training, and it’s a far cry from the way we let our dogs play with the best dog toys today. Rooted in studies on wolves in captivity by David Mach in the 1970s, it suggested that dogs try to assert dominance over their humans to establish a hierarchy as if to become the “leader of the pack.”
However, as professional trainers Ella Camps-Linney and Alistair Mackenzie, the owners of Kirby Dog Training, have explained in a recent Instagram post, the theory has since been debunked and is considered outdated. Here’s everything we should know.
“Mech himself debunked this theory decades later,” Camps-Linney and Mackenzie explain. “In the 1990s, he observed wolves in the wild and found that wolf packs are more like family units, led by a breeding pair rather than an ‘alpha’.”
He realized that the hierarchical dynamics seen in captivity were the result of confinement and stress, and aren’t natural for wolves. As a result, he began to advocate for a new way of training.
Today, positive reinforcement for dogs is seen as best, and it’s supported by plenty of scientific research. “Studies consistently show that rewarding desired behaviors (with treats, praise, or play) and finding and treating the root cause of a behavior, is more effective and humane than punishment-based methods,” say Camps-Linney and Mackenzie.
Positive reinforcement helps our bond with our pups grow stronger, can reduce stress, and encourages our dogs to learn by making training a positive experience. If your dog does show signs of a behavioral issue, you can work through it together, getting to the root of the problem.
After all, you and your dog both want the same thing – a happy life together. So, working as a team in training is much more likely to get you both the results you’re after. Take a look at these reasons to avoid using punishment with your pet for more information!
Working with a trainer can be a great idea, too. However, some trainers still subscribe to outdated practices and adhere to the dominance theory. So, here’s how to spot dog trainer red flags to ensure that you and your pup are in the best hands.
If you’re interested in learning more about different training methods, here’s where to find all our expert advice on advice on dog training
