Why I Call BS on Dominance Theory in Dog Training
- busy-pawz
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
You’ve probably heard it before…
🐕 'You need to show your dog who’s boss.'
🐕 'They’re trying to dominate you.'
🐕 'Be the alpha or they’ll walk all over you.'
I’m going to come right out and say it: I call BS on that.
The dominance theory has been hanging around dog training circles for decades and honestly, it needs to go.
Well, What Exactly Is the Dominance Theory?
When I talk about 'dominance,' I’m referring to that old-school mindset that suggests we need to overpower our dogs in order to gain control. The idea that dogs are constantly trying to assert themselves as the 'alpha,' and that we must act as the pack leader using force, intimidation, or punishment to keep them in line.
This theory originally stemmed from early wolf studies in the 1940s, which observed captive wolves and incorrectly concluded that dominance hierarchies were maintained through constant power struggles. Those studies have since been debunked, but the training methods based on them unfortunately stuck around.
Dominance, in its most accurate definition, refers to having influence or authority in a social structure - not controlling others through fear or physical pressure. The dominance theory in dog training tends to twist this idea into something harmful encouraging humans to approach their dogs with a mindset of competition, not connection.
Dogs don’t need a boss. They need a guide ... someone they can trust, who listens, leads with clarity, and builds a relationship based on respect, not fear.
Dominance Theory: Let’s Bust a Few Myths
❌ Myth: 'My dog is trying to be the alpha.'
✔️ Truth: Your dog isn’t plotting a household takeover. Most unwanted behaviours stem from stress, confusion, or unmet needs, not power struggles.
❌ Myth: 'If I let my dog walk in front of me, they think they’re in charge.'
✔️ Truth: Dogs walk at a different pace than us—it’s not a power move, it’s just… walking.
❌ Myth: 'Growling means they’re challenging me.'
✔️ Truth: Growling is a healthy way for dogs to communicate discomfort. Punishing it can make them suppress the warning and escalate to biting without warning.
❌ Myth: 'I need to eat before my dog to show dominance.'
✔️ Truth: Dogs don’t care who eats first. They care about feeling safe and understood.
❌ Myth: 'Rolling my dog onto their back shows I’m the leader.'
✔️ Truth: This so-called 'alpha roll' has been shown to increase fear and aggression, not respect.
Look to Nature, Not Noise
If we take a look at how animals operate in the wild, we start to see how flawed the 'top dog' mindset really is.
Let’s look at a pride of lions for example. Who’s dominant?
The older male? The females who do the hunting? The cubs who carry on the genes?
The answer - none of them.
Because a pride doesn’t work if one individual dominates the rest. Each member has a role. The females hunt and feed the group, the males protect, and the young ensure the future of the pride. They work as a team.
The same goes for elephant herds, wolf packs, and yes - domestic dogs. In a balanced group of dogs, no one is throwing their weight around trying to 'dominate' everyone else. They communicate, they compromise, they adapt.
It’s only humans who think dominance is about being the biggest, loudest, most forceful presence in the room.
Why Dominance-Based Training Is Harmful
When we approach our dogs with the mindset that they’re out to take control, we create conflict where there doesn’t need to be any.
We start using techniques that rely on fear, like:
❌ Alpha rolls (pinning a dog on its back)
❌ Leash jerks and choke chains
❌ Withholding food or affection to prove a point
❌ Punishing growling or barking without addressing the reason behind it
These approaches don’t build trust. They don’t teach. They don’t empower.
They simply suppress behaviour and often create fear, anxiety, or even aggression. That “well-behaved” dog you see? They might just be shut down.
So, What Do Dogs Actually Need?
💛 Dogs need boundaries ... but not punishment.
💛 They need consistency ... but not control.
💛 They need guidance ... but not fear.
Positive, respectful training builds real leadership - the kind that creates a calm, connected, and responsive dog. One who chooses to be near you, to listen, and to work with you—not because they’re afraid, but because they feel safe.
Final Thoughts: Leadership Isn’t Loud
You don’t need to be a drill sergeant to be a good dog owner.
You don’t need to dominate your dog to earn their respect.
True leadership is quiet, consistent, and kind.
It listens, guides, adapts and builds trust every step of the way.
So the next time someone tells you to 'be the alpha' or 'show your dog who’s boss,' take a breath and remember:
It’s not a power struggle - it’s a partnership.
Thanks for reading! I hope this post gave you something to think about. Whether you're just starting out or have had dogs your whole life, it's never too late to shift how we connect and communicate with them.
And don’t forget to throw your dog a treat from all of us 🐶
Deb & the Busy Pawz Crew
P.S. Want to build a better relationship with your dog—without the intimidation, punishment or power struggles? I offer personalised training and support that’s rooted in kindness, connection and real-life results.
👉 Check out my training sessions
If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow dog lover who might be tired of hearing just be the alpha.
P.P.S. Want to dive deeper into this topic?
🎧 Check out my podcast where I chat more about the roots of the dominance theory and how we can do better by our dogs.
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