Or: Why Your Dog Isn’t Planning World Domination (Even If You Think It Looks Like It)
For decades, dog owners were told that many problem behaviours came down to “dominance”: dogs trying to become “alpha,” challenge authority, or rise up a hierarchy within the household. This idea became so embedded in popular culture that it continues to influence training methods today, long after it was disproven.
Dominance theory simply does not reflect what we know about dogs (O’Heare, J. 2008).
Modern behavioural science, ethology, and learning theory have repeatedly shown that this interpretation is outdated, inaccurate, and often harmful.
This post summarises key findings from established researchers — because understanding where dominance theory came from, and why it was disproven, is essential to moving dog training forward.
1. Dominance is not a personality trait
Dominance, in scientific terms, refers to how two individual animals resolve resource conflicts (Drews, C. 1993) with each other. It is not a mindset, character trait, or intention. Dogs are not “dominant by nature,” and they are not trying to control humans.
A dog jumping on the sofa is choosing a comfortable spot, not challenging authority. A dog pulling on the lead is responding to environmental stimuli or insufficient training, not trying to “lead the pack”.
What this means:
Most behaviours labelled as “dominant” are actually normal, learned, or emotional responses. They are shaped by reinforcement history, emotional state, genetics, pain, or unmet needs.
Not power struggles.
2. The wolf-based origins of the dominance theory were flawed
The early research (1970s): captive wolves, not wild wolves
The idea of “alpha wolves” ruling by aggression came from studies on unrelated adult wolves kept in captivity (Mech, L. D. 1999). These wolves were forced into unnatural, highly stressful, artificial social groups, and displayed abnormally high conflict (O’Heare, J. 2008).
This model was never representative of natural wolf behaviour, and certainly not of domestic dog behaviour.
The correction (1999): wolf families, not dominance hierarchies
When researchers began studying wild wolves in natural habitats, the dominance theory collapsed. Wolf packs turned out to be family groups, with parents guiding young — not competing adults fighting for rank (Mech, L. D. 1999).
- “Alpha” wolves are simply the parents, the breeding pair
- Aggression within the pack is rare
- Dominance through force is not how wolf families operate
- Most interactions are cooperative
- Leadership is based on guidance, not force
L. David Mech, one of the world’s leading wolf biologists, publicly revised his earlier work and stated that the alpha model should no longer be used, even for wolves — and let alone dogs.
3. Modern canine research: dogs do not form dominance hierarchies with humans
Dogs have evolved alongside humans for thousands of years. They are not wolves, they are a different domesticated species with a unique social status, not pack leaders, and not aspiring to climb a social ladder above their owners.
Scientific research (Bradshaw et al. 2009; Topál et al. 1998; O’Heare, J. 2008) shows:
- Dogs do not form linear dominance hierarchies in the home.
- Dog–human relationships are based on attachment, not rank.
- Dogs rely heavily on cooperation, not competition.
- Problem behaviours are linked to learning history, reinforcement, emotion, stress, pain, or environment — not dominance.
4. Why conflict and dominance are costly for dogs
Even if the dominance theory were true (and it is not), using social dominance or conflict to control dog behaviour would still be problematic. It implies that the dog-owner relationship is a relationship between adversaries, which is both untrue and damaging (O’Heare, J. 2008). And often leads to abuse.
There is no justification for choosing dominance, intimidation and conflict when positive reinforcement is safer, more effective for changing dogs’ unwanted behaviours, and well-supported by decades of research (Beerda et al. 1998; Bradshaw et al. 2009; Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., & Reisner, I. R. 2009; Haverbeke et al. 2008; O’Heare, J. 2008). The cost of conflict, both physiological and behavioural, is too high for the dog:
A. Conflict increases stress and reduces learning
When dogs are subjected to intimidation, physical corrections, or any other form of aversive handling, this results in:
- Elevated cortisol
- Increased heart rate
- Reduced ability to process information
- Impaired memory and problem-solving
- Increased reactivity
- Heightened aggression
This pushes the dog into survival mode and they cannot learn effectively.
B. Conflict damages trust and attachment
Dogs rely on humans for safety. Confrontation with the person they depend on can:
- Undermine trust
- Erode safety
- Reduce cooperation
- Create fear around handling
This makes training slower, less reliable, and often less safe.
C. Aversive methods may increase aggression
Force-based methods commonly lead to:
- Suppression of the problem behaviour, not resolution
- Increased avoidance behaviours
- Defensive aggression becomes more likely
- Learned helplessness (the dog may shut down completely and stop offering behaviours altogether to avoid punishment)
D. Aggression is costly in nature
Even in wild species:
- Aggression is a last resort
- Most disputes are resolved through subtle communication or avoidance
- Serious conflict risks injury
- Injury threatens survival
Domestic dogs follow the same principle. They are evolutionarily predisposed to avoid conflict because the costs outweigh the benefits. Which directly contradicts the idea that dogs are constantly attempting to “challenge” humans.
5. Why does the dominance theory persist despite being disproven decades ago
Despite overwhelming evidence, dominance theory remains widespread. Here is why:
1. It’s simple, and simple explanations spread easily
“Your dog is trying to be the boss” is a quick, catchy narrative than:
Your dog is experiencing a complex interaction of reinforcement history, stress, arousal, environmental triggers, etc.
And from there, it’s easy to twist the interpretation of your dog’s natural behaviours to fit that narrative.
2. Misinterpretation of normal dog behaviour
Behaviours such as jumping, lead pulling, guarding, or ignoring cues can look like defiance to the untrained eye, but are actually driven by emotion, motivation, learning.
Dominance becomes a convenient — but incorrect — label.
3. It offers a false sense of control
When behaviours escalate, and owners feel overwhelmed or frustrated, “Be the alpha” appeals and feels like a simple solution, regardless of the cost.
4. Media influence
TV and social media thrive on drama. Confrontational techniques make compelling entertainment — not because they are accurate or ethical, but because they are flashy. In a society where 3 seconds is all you get before the next swipe, an image of an aggressive dog with a message “Your dog is trying to be the boss” stick. A 3-second clip is enough to reinforce outdated ideas, but not to explain the complexity of our dogs’ emotions and behaviour.
5. Outdated information continues to circulate
Some trainers still rely on what they were taught 20-30 years ago, most of them without CPD or engagement with current research. For those unsure how to explain and address behaviour, “Your dog is trying to be the boss” becomes a go-to explanation that masks knowledge and confidence gaps.
And the argument “it works-why change it” is common – but intimidation, chronic stress, fear and often abuse are just not acceptable, and it’s time to move on with the science.
Conclusion
Dominance theory is not supported by modern science. It was based on outdated wolf research, disproven by later wolf studies, and thoroughly rejected by decades of canine behavioural science.
Understanding dogs as emotional, social learners — not status-seeking competitors — allows us to train them more humanely and more effectively, offering lasting results.
And most importantly, it builds the stable, trusting relationships our dogs need in order to thrive.
References:
Beerda, B., Schilder, M.B.H., Van Hooff, J.A.R.A.M., De Vries, H.W., Mol,
J. A. (1998) Behavioural, saliva cortisol and heart rate responses to different types of stimuli in dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 58 (3–4), 365-381.
Bradshaw, J. W. S., Blackwell, E., & Casey, R. (2009) Dominance in domestic dogs—Useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4(3), 135–144.
Drews, C. (1993) The concept and definition of dominance in animal behaviour. Behaviour, 125(3–4), 283–313.
Haverbeke, A., Laporte, B., Depiereux, E., Giffroy, J.-M., Diederich, C. (2008) Training methods of military dog handlers and their effects on behavioural responses of dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 113 (1–3), 110-122 .
Herron, M. E., Shofer, F. S., & Reisner, I. R. (2009) Survey of the use and outcome of confrontational and non-confrontational training methods in client-owned dogs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 117 (1–2), 47-54.
Mech, L. D. (1999) Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 77(8), 1196–1203.
O’Heare, J. (2008) Dominance Theory and Dogs. An In-depth Examination of Social Dominance and its Insidious Consequences … and an Alternative. 2nd Edition. DogPsych Publishing, Ottawa, Canada.
Topál, J., Miklósi, Á., Csányi, V., & Dóka, A. (1998) Attachment behaviour in dogs: A new application of Ainsworth’s (1969) Strange Situation Test. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 112(3), 219–229.