If you have a dog, no doubt you've been told at some point that you need to dominate, after all You Are The Alpha Wolf! In my case, pretending to be an alpha wolf, just never felt appropriate or even necessary. Reading an article on Psychology Today, was like one of those Ah-Ha moments in which my gut feelings seemed to be validated.
Lee Charles Kelley, a writer for Psychology Today explains that in a wolf pack, there is no instinct to follow an alpha leader. Further saying that there have been many serious misconceptions about wolf behavior. Wolves typically live in a family unit where cooperation, instead of dominance is a guiding factor.
No wolf always walks ahead of the group when they're traveling. They take turns. That's a fact.
No wolf always eats before other members of the group. That's a fact.
No wolf ever puts one of his packmates in an alpha roll. That's a fact.
No wolf tells his packmates how to behave. That's a fact.
Dominance displays are rare in wild wolf packs and usually only take place between the mother and father over how to disburse food to their young.
Pack Leader or Predator? by Lee Charles Kelley
For Lee Charles Kelley the whole alpha wolf thing may seem a little irrelevant, since he asserts that dogs are Not wolves anyway. Kelley also claims that dogs do not see Cesar Millan as an alpha wolf, they see him as a predator and feel fearful and intimidated. Kelley says that all serious behavioral issues are best solved by play therapy, in an environment of cooperation and flexibility.
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