Dominance in Dogs: Fact or Fiction?
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Narrated by:
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Steven James
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By:
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Barry Eaton
About this listen
Is Your Dog Trying to “Dominate” You?
You may have read books or seen TV shows that tell you that your dog will seek to dominate you, your family members and other pets unless you become the “alpha” and put him in his place. The theory is that since dogs evolved from wolves and wolves (supposedly) form packs with strict pecking orders and battle each other to become the pack leader, your dog will do the same within your household. In this new US edition, author Barry Eaton separates out the facts from the fiction regarding dominance in pet dogs, presenting the listener with the results of recent research into the behavior of wolves and the impacts of selective breeding on the behavior of dogs. The results may surprise you and will surely inform you.
You will learn:
• Wolves in the wild do form packs, but they are largely peaceful and cooperative family units.
• Many of the behaviors and drives that wolves live by have virtually disappeared from pet dogs due to the impact of selective breeding.
• Poorly trained or under-socialized dogs may engage in certain behaviors such as resource guarding (food, toys) that may make them appear to be trying to assert dominance. However, these are problems that can be brought under control by training and management and will not be solved by an owner trying enforce his or her dominance over the dog.
• Many of the training or “pack” rules associated with those who claim you must dominate your dog have no basis in reality in terms of wolf behaviors and. if taken to an extreme, can be harmful to your dog.
• A simple and logical set of guidelines to raise and train a dog in a positive and effective manner.
©2011 Dogwise Publishing (P)2024 Dogwise PublishingListener received this title free
First of all, the author takes a close look at the definition of dominance and explains that dogs are not domesticated wolves. Dogs do not behave like wolves, and they cannot be compared directly. Aggression has nothing to do with dominance. In most cases, aggressive behaviour is linked to ignored calming signals, anxiety, missed body language, or the use of aversive training methods.
In one situation, a dog may show dominant behaviour around food, while in another situation a different dog may take the lead during play. This is context-dependent and does not reflect a fixed hierarchy.
Eaton also addresses many traditional dog training rules and explains them with a sense of humour. He shows that behaviours such as pulling on the lead are often misinterpreted as dominant behaviour. A dog that pulls towards the park is not trying to dominate the handler – the dog simply wants to get to the park. The same applies to many other everyday situations that have long been labelled as dominance, although they are in fact normal, context-driven behaviour without any intention to control or gain status.
Eaton also addresses common dog training rules that are still widely taught, such as dogs not being allowed on the sofa or bed, dogs not being allowed to go through doors first, or the idea that humans must always eat before their dogs. He discusses these rules with a sense of humour and shows that they are based on outdated dominance concepts rather than on scientific evidence. Interestingly, these were rules I was also taught in dog school, but did not follow them ( my dog sleeps in bed 😱, has access to the sofa 😱 and eats when it is time)– and I did not end up with a so-called dominant or “problem” dog because of it, on the contrary.
Eaton also makes it clear that consistency in training is important, but that consistency has nothing to do with dominance. Being consistent helps dogs understand expectations and everyday routines. Inconsistent behaviour from humans can confuse dogs and lead to problems, but this should not be confused with the need to be dominant or to control the dog.
Eaton combines the behaviour and living circumstances of wolves, feral dogs, and dogs living in human families, which makes the book particularly interesting. Wolves have not changed significantly over centuries and millennia, whereas dogs have changed considerably through selective breeding. Wolves need to solve problems related to survival, hunting, and reproduction. Dogs, on the other hand, often perform tasks that are rewarding for them within a human environment.
We learn that dogs do not generally show dominant behaviour, but that a dominant training style or dominant behaviour on the owner’s side can cause many problems. Eaton also shows ways to avoid this.
I highly recommend this book. It is easy to listen to or read, has a sense of humour, is scientifically sound and supported by scientific studies and canine researchers, and underlines a modern, positive way of training and living with dogs.
Another key point is that dogs are not little wolves, and that the idea of the alpha dog or alpha wolf is a myth.
Very good modern view on dominance!
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