the alpha dog theory?

Question

I have one dog book that teaches the alpha dog theory and another that says the Alpha Dog thing is outdated and only positive training like clicker training should be used

so which is right? or are they both right?

Answer 1

That would depend on what the book considers "alpha dog." Most books/training methods are based on the traditional alpha dog theory...suggesting alpha roles, scruffing, shaking, yelling, and other aversives/physical punishments as discipline. Usually it is justified by saying that this is the kind of discipline an alpha wolf would use in the pack. What these books fail to mention is that they are based on observations of unrelated captive wolf packs and that such behaviors as alpha roles are NOT typical of a normal wild wolf pack. Most reputable trainers today realize that an "alpha roll" and other similar "training" methods not only don't work and damage the dog-human bond in the process, but they are a good way to get bitten.

Keep in mind that clicker training is not the only positive training method. Positive methods work better and they are nothing new, they've been around for years. In punishment based training, the dog learns slowly that anything that isn't what the handler is looking for earns them a pop on the training collar. This means that the handler is spending a lot of time looking and waiting for the dog to make a mistake and telling the dog that that behavior is not what they are looking for. It's much easier and far more motivating to tell a dog (or person) when they've done something right rather than punish them for every time they do something wrong. Take heeling for example. Heel is a very definite position and there are a lot of wrong positions. It's much easier to tell the dog that that one position is the correct one (by giving a reward of some kind whenever the dog is in that position and not rewarding the incorrect positions) than to spend a lot of time telling the dog that this position and that position and this other position are all wrong (by popping them with the choke chain) while waiting for the dog to figure out what that one correct position is. The past ten years have seen a huge surge in the number of owners and trainers using positive methods because they work so much better than the old and more abusive punishment-based methods. Positive methods aren't simply bribe-for-a-treat based either. Praise and other rewards (such as getting to chase that darn rabbit if it is safe for the dog to do so) are also just as effective as food treats and if used properly can result in a dog that will ignore other distractions because chances are pretty darn good that mom (or dad) has something even better. And positive methods don't mean that you aren't being a leader either. They simply mean that you are being a leader by controlling the resources that the dog has access to rather than by physically overpowering or punishing the dog. I use positive methods and my dogs DO get consequences for ignoring me or not following commands promptly, but I don't have to hit them or choke them in order to let them know that they made the WRONG choice.

Answer 2

Canine behavior relies on the alpha dog theory to exist. Yes, dogs can be trained in many different ways & there are new theories popping up all the time. And there are methods of training that does not rely on the alpha dog theory to gain success.

Learning obedience is done by repetition, after repetition & the dog learns to associate wrong movement with a correction & will learn & drop the wrong movement for the one he is praised for.

35 years of experience in training Police dogs one has to show dominance or get hurt.

I can see where the clicker would work in doing tricks and such, just as a whistle works stock dogs.

There is room for the clicker but I doubt that I will ever try it. My dogs are trained to watch my body movements to get their comands. I do not use treats, I use praise & play OR if in aggression training the satisfaction is the bite.

There is room for both, just as there is room for different types of training. If it works for you go for it. I guess I am set in my ways by proven ways that work. Behavior Modication.

Answer 3

I've had more dogs than I care to try in count in my lifetime...and throughout the years of training my dogs, and teaching all my cousins how to train their dogs, I've found that both methods have their pluses and their downfalls
I've had the most success by focusing on the positive training methods: reward the dog for doing good (or for not doing bad) and either ignore the dog OR redirect the dog when a negative behavior comes up (depending on what that behavior is)
for that same token, it is still VERY important that your dog sees you as the alpha, when dogs try to take the "leader of the pack" position chaos soon follows: even the sweetest of dogs can become violent if you are not in control and giving them appropriate boundaries
going back to positive training, these boundaries need not be enforced via scolding or punishment because oftentimes a dog who is punished will see the punishment as abuse or attention. If the dog sees the punishment as abuse then they are less likely to trust or bond with you, which in turn causes behavioral issues. If the dog sees the punishment as attention then they won't care what kind of attention as long as they are getting attention, therefore you're teaching them that by acting out they get what they want and they'll continue to do it!

so really both are right: you need to be the alpha and you need to be in control; yet at that same time using the positive training methods (in my experience) work quicker and result in a stronger bond between owner and dog

Answer 4

I don't know about the alpha thingy, cause no human is gonna pull that off....and the clicker thingy is a brave new world, but I will say in my 25+ yrs as a trainer attitude is everything....

the pack thing is tired and more than likely our pets do not set 'round with visions of dog packs in the heads....alpha dogs are the boss and seldom act on any lower ranked dog.....whereas beta dogs are the enforcers of the law.....so right off the top the theory is flawed.....

and who doesn't respond to positive things?

So it is surely both together that would work the best....a dog looks for leadership...either in themselves or others.....and positive rewards make learning faster........so if you got the clicker...you must be the leader huh?, but they are dogs not people and we are people not dogs.....other than a good pat on the head they have no more of an idea of what we are saying then we do of them....

Answer 5

Alpha. Clicker training can come in handy for teaching tricks, especially harder ones, but can't be used for ever, they are a teaching tool. If you try and bribe your dog all the time all you'll do is find your self running after the dog yelling,, TREAT!! come here I have a treat!! because she'd rather have bunny that a stupid treat.( not that treats are bad, they are aw some for letting your dog know that he's a good boy)

I don't know what book you have, but I would recommend using a prong collar for training and becoming the Alpha. The collar looks evil, but is very humane and uses dog language. He does something he isn't supposed to then his mom or alpha dog would give him a nip on the neck. That's what the collar does. Also make him do something for treats and toys so that he knows you are the leader and he has to do what you want before he gets what he wants.

For more obedience training info get a subscription to www.dogproblems.com It has all the info you need to train your dog, and a free down-loadable book dedicated to becoming the alpha dog.

Answer 6

This is a tough one. I guess it depends on how the book defines the "Alpha dog theory." I do believe that it is necessary for the human to be the leader. However, I don't think that the methods that were used 10 or 20 years ago (and what some still use) are the way to go. Alpha rolls, scruff shakes, hitting, etc. only teach a dog to act out of fear. Positive training leads to dogs who learn because they enjoy it and want to; this creates a more stable relationship between dog and owner.

If you don't have it, I highly recommend Parenting Your Dog by Trish King. It's terrific and shows you how to train your dog without making him afraid he'll make a mistake.

Answer 7

The Alpha dog theory is absolutely correct. The clicker training method is a new idea and the nose it makes is insulting to the ears. Those of us that have been around dogs for more then 25 years will tell you that we used to train just fine without a clicker, and still do today. Some of us use markers instead.

Answer 8

Both work. I use the alpha dog training however.

Clicker training only works if the dog is paying attention and is not stubborn, at least that has been my experience with it.

Answer 9

Being the alpha roll for my puppies works for them. And i do not ought to take hold of them by means of the scruff to make them see that i am Alpha both. Just simple obiendence training can show your canine that you're alpha. Dog percent, identical to wolf packs, go by using structrue. They both want Alpha rolls to run the percent. If, say 2 males, in a percent get into a dispute, you're going to realize the extra dominant one will roll the opposite onto its' back. That's his manner of showing his dominance. Simply watch a percent, there are tons of approach they show dominace with none aggression. Just making your canine sit down earlier than giving them their food is a solution to exhibit that you are the dominant one. Our dogs, in how they run their % isn't any specific from a wolf percent. The only difference is that puppies are domesticated. However they still want the structure of a % and a good robust percent chief. _________________________________ Loki_Wolfchild in the event you do not mind might you please contact me privately? Your answer and system are quality and i've a individual query for you about being alpha. That's if you happen to don't mind! ;o) My e-mail is on my residence page to yahoo answers.

Answer 10

Much depends on the tempermant of the dog. If you have an assertive breed dog clicker training may not work for everything. They may need something that is alittle stronger and more assertive to match up with their own tempermant.
Clicker training is great for some things and I even use it with some horses but it is not great for everything. It will build trust with the dog and it is a positive reward training system.
Any training you do with your dog will help build trust and a better realtionship with the dog. The more you train the better your dog will be and the more the dog will respect you and be willing to work to please you.