Alpha theory
Even wolves don't do it, so why should dogs?
What is alpha theory?
It's the concept that wolves - and, thus, dogs - have a single “top dog” at the top of the pack hierarchy. This wolf/dog is invariably male in this theory. This dog is responsible for making decisions and enforcing discipline in the pack.
In a domestic dog situation, the theory then runs, the human must make itself (“himself”) the “top dog”, responsible for making and enforcing decisions and behaviour.
Discipline must be demonstrated at every turn, and the dogs must never be allowed to behave counter to the human’s preferences.
From this concept comes the “alpha roll”, where a misbehaving dog is forced to the ground by the human until it demonstrates submissive behaviour.
It works - for a fear-based value of “works” - and in some breeds - mostly smaller ones.
It’s a pity that:
it’s based on an entirely flawed single study of wild wolves in a zoo environment, and
Even if true, it cannot possibly work with Maremmas and other LGDs, where it’s imperative that the dog can and does operate independently of the human/s.
Some links about the theory and the debunking thereof.
VCA Animal Hospitals: Dog Behavior and Training - Dominance, Alpha, and Pack Leadership - What Does It Really Mean?
WebMD: Dog Training: Positive Reinforcement vs. Alpha Dog Methods
Arizona State University: The myth of the alpha dog
Whole Dog Journal: Debunking the “Alpha Dog” Theory
RSPCA Australia: What is the RSPCA’s view on dominance dog training?
What’s the alternative?
It's being replaced with a much more nuanced and contextual understanding of dog behaviour - one that particularly doesn’t try to map the behaviour of caged wild wolves with domestic dogs OR true wild wolves.
A friend of mine has a useful term of "Boss" when describing Maremma-Human interactions; it works just as well for general dog behaviour.
If Boss doesn't work, think "leader".
We humans are the leaders - the Boss. Not just of the dog - of everything. We control the food, we create and manage the flocks, we define and patrol our territories.
The Maremmas are a respected and indispensable second-in-command of these activities. They can make independent decisions within their area of expertise - guarding of flocks, patrolling of boundaries, identification of threats.
But they must acknowledge and respect that the Boss, or lead Human, has the final say in pretty much any area.
Just as if you're the 2IC in a human business. You can discuss and argue overall management of the business with the CEO but in the end, they can and will override you at times - and if you can't respect that, you're not in the correct role.
So Maremmas who can't respect the leadership of their human/s are problem Maremmas. They need to be gently taught their place.
Not in the way "alpha" is understood - in a dictatorial, “my way is the only way” method - but in the way "leader" is understood, by demonstration and respect and only bringing down a harsh voice/actions when it's actual life or death.
As I write more articles about training methods, I’ll link them back here.
Let me know what you think!