There is less than a 1% DNA difference between the domestic dog and its cousin the wolf, so surely, we should treat and train them the same as if we were the Alpha in the pack and replicate the dominant behaviour.
hmmm, let’s look into this further…
The Wolf and the Dog look kind of similar, but their temperament and their environment are hugely different, so treating them the same just does not work!!
Wolves generally avoid any human contact; they do not require, nor have they evolved into needing human interaction to survive! However, the domestic dog has evolved to depend on humans to survive and live in a comfortable co-inhabiting style!
The theory of having a dog and the owner taking on the “alpha wolf role” is ridiculous and will cause behavioural problems, a terrified, anxious, fearful dog that will become submissive, aggressive or both.
We can learn from the wolf’s behaviour in a pack and whilst we can certainly pick up some training techniques being the untrained alpha and pushing your dog into submission is not one, we should entertain. Humans are not wolves, and most humans are not wolf biologists so it is crazy to think we can replicate the pack mentality in a domestic environment.
Many thousands of years ago between 32,000 & 18,000 years, the ancestral wolf was evolving into the domestic pooch that we have today! Humans realised by having this type of Canis Linnaeus around would provide protection, warmth, and companionship. In return, the Wolf learnt that he too would receive shelter, warmth, companionship and best of all food!
So how did it all begin? Many thousands of years ago humans moved around a lot and with that so did their food and their food scraps. The Wolves realised by following the camps they would get these scraps and became expert scavengers! They soon learnt that by being confident and less fearful of men that they would get more food and hunt less. They became scavengers much like the 21st century suburban Fox!
Over the years, the wolf started to evolve and change its outward appearance. Its snout become shorter, it developed a wider scull and smaller teeth compared to that of the wild wolf as they no longer need these for hunting…
With this their behaviour also changed, there was no need to have a hierarchical pack order, and there was no need to be precious and fight over resources! Their social behaviours changed, the more sociable the animal, the more food it would receive and the more likely that they would be selected to breed from.
As time has gone on selective breeding has not only been about temperament, but it has also been about getting the desired outcome from the dog that suits the human need. We have developed and selectively bred dogs to work which is varied according to the lifestyle, country, demand, the environment etc… whether a German Shepherd Guard Dog, A Border Collie or Australian Cattle Dog Herding Dog, The Husky – Drafting, Bloodhound – Tracking, Labrador — Therapy, Service Dog – Beagle etc… the different dogs were and are selectively bred for a purpose and therefore leading to the array of pedigrees that we have today.
Unfortunately, now many dogs are not bred for a specific role but bred for the way they look which has caused many different health disorders along with behavioural issues (but that is for another blog)!
In the pack there is a constant hierarchal battle, especially over resources where there is always another wolf wanting to fight its way to the top by asserting its dominance, sometimes it succeeds and sometimes it loses! In a domestic environment, it’s not about winning or losing it’s about co-existing in a harmonious environment! Understanding your dog and using positive reinforcement and suitable training. As an owner, it is your responsibility to learn effective kind training methods to teach your dog in the best possible way and not use archaic outdated methods. Only then you will have a well-rounded domestic dog and not a fearful submissive wolf!
Dogs and Wolves are separated by thousands of years of evolution. So are humans and apes, therefore if we treat humans like monkeys and vice versa it just simply wouldn’t work!
Modern training is a hands-off approach we do not use force, we do not use aggression, we do not use dominance! We do use positive reinforcement, kind leadership and understanding of our dogs.
Dogs are extremely sensitive to our cues more so than we are to theirs. Erno Teglas an infant psychologist studied communicative intent! Live Science continued his discovery in 2008 of how dogs can read our cues by using eye-tracking methods and directive speech. They understand verbal cues like a pre-verbal infant. Teglas noted that wolves do not share this astute way of reading humans that the domesticated dog does!
Therefore, the huge flaw that we should be the Alpha, dominating our pet Chihuahua as if he were part of the pack is simply ludicrous, but the same goes for a Rottweiler!
If you are having behavioural problems with your dog please be a responsible owner and search for a local certified Canine Behaviourist or Dog Trainer, it will make all the difference!
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