For years, dog owners have been told that they need to be the alpha or pack leader to establish control over their dogs. The idea that dogs must be dominated, forced into submission, or made to respect a strict hierarchy has been widely promoted in traditional dog training.
But where did this dominance theory come from? And more importantly, is it actually true?
Modern science has debunked the dominance myth, proving that dogs do not follow strict social hierarchies like wolves. In fact, even the scientists who first promoted the alpha wolf theory later admitted they were wrong.
Let’s explore the history of dominance theory, where it went wrong, and how you can build a better relationship with your dog using science-based training.
Where Did Dominance Theory Come From?
1. The Idea That Dogs Are Like Wolves
Since dogs evolved from wolves, early researchers assumed that dogs must have the same social structure as their wild ancestors.

🔍 Fact Check:
Dogs separated from wolves over 100,000 years ago and evolved alongside humans.
Unlike wolves, dogs became scavengers, relying on human food rather than hunting in coordinated packs.
Because of this, dogs did not maintain a rigid pack-based dominance structure.
2. Early Wolf Studies and the Birth of the Alpha Myth
The dominance theory in dog training comes from early studies on captive wolves.
📖 1947: Robert Shenkel’s Captive Wolf Study
Animal behaviorist Robert Shenkel observed wolves in captivity.
He saw aggressive interactions and concluded that wolves fight for dominance to become the "alpha."
His study suggested a rigid social structure, where the strongest wolf leads by force.

📖 1970: Dr. David Mech’s Book "The Wolf"
Dr. David Mech, a respected wolf researcher, wrote The Wolf: Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species.
This book popularized the idea of the alpha wolf—a concept that quickly influenced dog training.
But there was a problem: His research was based on wolves in captivity, not wolves in the wild.
Why The Alpha Theory is Wrong
The biggest flaw in these early studies?
👉 Captive wolves do not behave the same way as wild wolves.
🔬 After publishing his book, Dr. Mech spent 13 summers observing wild wolves on Ellesmere Island in Canada.
🧐 What he found:
Wild wolves do not fight for leadership.
Instead of an "alpha" wolf leading through competition, wolf packs function as families.
The leaders are usually parents, not dominant fighters.
Wolves do not maintain leadership through aggression—they simply raise their pups, who grow up and stay in the pack.
🚨 Dr. Mech later admitted he was wrong and publicly retracted his previous claims:
“One of the outdated pieces of information in my book is the concept of the alpha wolf. ‘Alpha’ implies competing with others and becoming the leader by winning battles. However, most wolves that lead packs achieved their position simply by mating and producing pups, which then became their pack.”
This means the entire foundation of dominance-based dog training was built on incorrect information.
Dogs Are Not Wolves—And They Are Not Trying to Dominate You
Now that we know wolves don’t even follow the alpha model, let’s talk about dogs.

🚫 Dogs do not form dominance-based packs.
🚫 Dogs are not trying to control you.
🚫 Training methods based on force, submission, or "pack leadership" are outdated.
✔ Dogs are social learners.
✔ They respond to reinforcement, clear communication, and structured routines.
✔ They thrive in environments where they feel safe, not controlled.
What This Means for Dog Training
The best way to train your dog is through cooperation, not control.
🐾 You don’t need to be your dog’s "alpha."
🐾 Your dog isn’t misbehaving to challenge you—they’re just trying to understand what works.
🐾 Science-based training relies on positive reinforcement, not fear or intimidation.
📌 Key Takeaways:
✅ Dominance theory is outdated and was based on flawed research.
✅ Wolves don’t even follow alpha hierarchies—so why would dogs?
✅ Dogs learn best when trained with rewards, structure, and trust—not force.
💡 Want expert support?
As an IAABC board-certified dog behavior consultant and certified dog trainer, I specialize in reward-based training that builds trust and cooperation.
📅 Contact me to start training with science-backed methods!
Sources
Debunking Dominance Theory
Benefits of Positive Reinforcement
"Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: The Science Behind Operant Conditioning" – American Kennel Club (AKC)🔗
"Pros and Cons Of Positive Reinforcement Pet Training" – Pets Best🔗
"10 Benefits Of Training Your Dog With Positive Reinforcement" – The Natural Dog Online🔗
"What is Positive Reinforcement in Dog Training?" – Companion Animal Psychology🔗
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