Dominance in Dogs: Fact or Fiction?

I am a current masters student working on a degree as an animal behaviorist. We study applied behavior analysis and learning theory in our studies. This book follows along those lines and is easy for someone who comes from this school of thought to understand and appreciate. The author acknowedges Ray Coppinger, Ian Dunbar and David Mech in his work, who are all big names in dog and wolf behavior and genetics. There is a big rift in the dog training world between those who use learning theory and those who use canine ethology (i.e. dominance theory) as an approach to teaching and training their dogs. This book does an excellent job of debunking dominance theory with hard facts from qualified experts in the field. The book is short and easy to understand- it's not written over anyone's head, so even someone who does not have expertise in animal behavior can understand it. Whether you are an expert or are just looking to expand your understanding of wolf and dog behavior, this book is a must-read. It just might challenge you to re-think your previous beliefs that we must be "dominant" over our dogs. After all, this is how we learn and progress as a society- by challenging what we thought we knew to see if we can find a better way. This book helps us do just that!

It is always a smart choice to challenge your own beliefs and what you have read and have been told in the past. Being a research based clinical educator in a University based physical therapy program and a senior clinician in said University clinic, I can appreciate the author's use of wolf behavioral research to make his point. As an owner of 4 rescue dogs and foster of 5 others over the past year and a half, I believe it is imperative for all dog owners to consume as much knowledge as possible to enhance their relationship with their dogs. And importantly challenge all ideas in order to determine what is best for you and your beloved pets.I believe this book provides quality information backed by research with the primary intent to change the way individuals conceptualize their dog and theor dogs behavior. Placing the pressure on oneself to always be pack leader is exhausting, frustrating and in many cases causes the owner to resent their dog for his or her continued efforts to take the alpha roll. If nothing else, this book has helped me personally to let go of this notion, continue my training in a positive light and enjoy working with my dogs to improve their behavior.

This book helped me make sense of a lot of apparently contradictory things about my dog. He is sweet, happy, silly, and a peace maker, but he is also a guard dog who will protect resources he views as essential to survival. That means he is very tuned into protecting me. These seem like opposites, but the book helps me understand why from the dog's perspective, that makes sense. It's so freeing to know that "the dogs aren't trying to take over." When I use training techniques based upon the theories in this book, THEY REALLY WORK!

This book is fantastic! It's extremely short and concise, which is a strong plus.Dominance was once held as the best and the only way to train and live with dogs. But as we all know, scientific discoveries will often change long held views on our world. The discoveries that wolves aren't a dominant species and that dogs and wolves behave differently are important not just in the realm of research and training, but in pet owner's homes.Dr. Sophia Yin has an excellent article that you can find by Googling "Sophia Yin The Dominance Controversy" in you need a short briefing on why dominance is outdated but you can't afford the book right away. 4Paws University and The Association Of Pet Dog Trainers also have free articles going over this important topic.

Excellent book. Well written based on facts not suppositions. I hope more people will read this book to better co exist with their dogs

Very informative and important to read, to understand our dogs and what our relationship should be. Great evidence and well written. A book every dog owner should read.

Every dog owner really needs to read this book (and almost every dog trainer in Hungary). Just a brief example of how much dog trainers outdated and undereducated are, I have a yorkshire and an american staffordshire terrier (both males), we regularly went to dog school. It was weird in the begining that, I was told If a dog doesnt do the exercise or more interested in other dogs just jerk on the leash, until I get his attention!!!!I told the trainer I'm not comfortable with this, the answer was pretty simple and quite shocking "This is a hard-to-handle breed (amstaff) so he is likely to be DOMINANT and AGGRESSIVE toward other dog, so I better jerk him if I dont want him to get trouble with other dogs".I dont attend this dog school anymore. Another amstaff in this school, after 6 months got electric collar because he has started to show aggression toward other dogs. It's not coincidence with this traning methods. This book describes in understandable way the misconception of dominance, how you should live with dogs and how should your relationship with your dog(s) be. Its definitely worth to read. IMHO If you read this book along with Turid Rugaas - Calming Signals, Pat Miller - The power of positive dog training, Patricia Mcconnell - the other end of the leash, that will probably change your aspect of dog training and most likely that will be good for the dog and for the owner as well.

I found this book to really be an educating read. It provided enough of data that I no longer believe that dogs are trying to dominate us as some trainers would have you believe.

This book is well worth a read if your still thinking that by putting a dog on it's side will make you more dominate over it, or will make the dog see you as the "Alfa". For many years I have been wondering if eating the dogs food first or allowing him either to lay by doors or not lay by doors, would make any difference to the way the dog views the world around him. This book ultimately tells me that the most essential thing about owning a dog is training the animal. By teaching the dog to wait at doors is teaching him manners rather than anything else, and this book will explain why. One of the shortest books I've ever read about dogs but one of the most informative.

If you have a dog you should read this book. If you're thinking about getting a dog you should read this book. If you like dogs you should read this book.Basically I would recommend this book even to Cat lovers... because everyone should read this book.

Says it all and covers any 'arguments' you may end up in clearly and with references. Invaluable for both owners and those involved in training or rescue.

Excellent book, one of the most useful I have purchased for a course I am studying. Not a long book, could read it in one sitting, but simple and concise, causing you to rethink everything you thought you knew about 'dominance' and 'pack structure' in our pet dogs. Superb, absolute necessity on your book shelf if you care about dogs and want the best life for them.

This book had me argueing with myself on several occassions. Really makes you think about all the past training methods that have been instilled into us by various training celebreties and how sucked in we've been to believe what turns out to be utter nonsense. Now trying to convince others. The book covers all angles with a for and against approach. Excellent read