Discover why the alpha myth in dog training is wrong not once, but twice in this enlightening video. Delving into the scientific evidence, we dissect the outdated beliefs surrounding the alpha concept and reveal two significant misconceptions that persist in traditional dog training.
With a focus on modern, evidence-backed dog training that emphasizes a dog’s emotional well-being and positive reinforcement, this video aims to educate both professionals and beginners alike. If you’re interested in understanding why the alpha myth has been debunked and how to approach dog training with compassion and science-based methods, this video is for you.
WATCH NEXT: How to Stop Dog Aggression for Everyday People! The Ultimate Guide: https://youtu.be/iUpUCbdLNhk
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to see all of our videos (it’s totally free!): https://tinyurl.com/subzakgeorge
🚨 STATE OF EMERGENCY: The Dog Training Crisis is Here 🚨 WATCH NOW: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMssKIjsDxXnukd49I3YRbDSSp32yU0to
For more daily dog training tips and videos FOLLOW US!
➡️ @zakgeorge on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ZakGeorge
➡️ I’m on TikTok too! http://vm.tiktok.com/fFxPbh/
➡️ Like me on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/TheZakGeorge
😍 @breejustine is on instagram too: http://www.instagram.com/breejustine
Is there another social network you’d like to see us on? Tell us in the comments! ⬇️
🔬 For more information on the latest scientific guidelines for modern dog training methods WATCH THIS VIDEO! https://youtu.be/bkulCnZpQMU
🥰 THANK YOU to our Patrons who help us keep this content TOTALLY FREE 🥰 You can help support our videos by making a contribution here: http://www.patreon.com/zakgeorge
📖 If you have a NEW PUPPY or you’re PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE, my FIRST book (broad overview of choosing, raising and training a dog) is the one for you!!! Get it here: https://amzn.to/1PXH568
📖 Order my NEW BOOK here (💥this one is a deeper dive into troubleshooting the most common training issues💥) https://amzn.to/2XiER6f
☝️👀👂 If you prefer to LISTEN instead of read… I narrated both of my audiobooks for you guys myself!!! If you listen to the audio versions be sure to let me know what you think! 🎙😜 You can find audio (and Kindle) versions at the links above as well.
Thank you so much for watching this video! If you have any feedback, requests for future content, or just want to tell us about your dog… We’ll see you in the comments!! 🤗 – Zak and Bree (and Inertia… and Veronica! 🐾)
You can be the Alpha without asserting dominance. You can be Alpha with respect, love and understanding of your dog.
But I dislike it calling “Alpha”, I prefer “Head of the family “
My dogs come to me for guidance and support, I give them love, respect and I offer them trust and protection.
You said this perfect
I call it being responsible for my dog.
I have seen it called dog guardian which I like, in the sense of protector of the family dog/s.
@crotchet1586 Or just being an owner of an animal lol 😂
@Jen Kirby I think he means in training the animal. I for sure am a wonderful guardian for my dog. I would step in front of a car for him.
Actually, from seeing a lot of the people who work with wolves, they respond quite a bit to companion based training as well.
The difference is that they have to be afraid of their environment, not because they are ‘wild.’ The idea of ‘wild’ animals is steeped in mythological evolutionary thinking.
There are quite a few studies that compare dogs and wolves. It’s fascinating reading. To make a long story short, wolves are very different from dogs. Dogs may be descended from wolves (although even that is “settled”, one theory is that dogs and wolves evolved from a common ancestor and, while closely related, their evolution was quite different), but they aren’t wolves. Thousands of years of domestication and the possibility that they came from a common ancestor, but took different evolutionary paths makes dogs very different from wolves.
@janhankins911 their breeding, not their evolution, was different.
@oftheborg I think you are right. There was an interesting experiment done on another wild canid. I think it was a type of fox. I watched a TV program about it but I forget the details. The animals were selected so that the more friendly ones mated and they ended up with animals who were very dog like. Even their colours and head shapes were more dog like but they were all genetically foxes. It didn’t take long.
You can imagine how this could happen naturally if friendly wolves were more likely to hang around people and the people would make friends with them and feed them.
As soon as I awakened enough to see what my dog really was. This beautiful creature who really tries to do her best always with this complete unconditional love for me, I totally changed my mindset in training. She can never never annoy me, ever. I appreciate so completely the dogness of her. Whatever she does is what I should expect. I just continue communicating with her the best I can to teach her what she needs to know. We get on brilliantly
Zak, so are you saying if I let my dog walk through a doorway first she’s not gonna think less of me and not plot to take over our household! I only ask because in the park today she was socialising with her buddies and kept looking back at me, suspiciously..im sure they were hatching plans to oust me from pack leader 😁
Oh, yes. They were absolutely plotting a conspiracy. But letting her walk through a doorway first didn’t have anything to do with it. The fact that you know where the secret stash of treats is has everything to do with it.
I’d guard your pocket, cupboard, and bedside table caches very closely from now on.
That is so funny.
Looking back at you is good.
Your dog is checking in with you, to see whether you want something from himher.
Best comment of the day.😆
I met a young wolf once. We communicated so well that I trusted him completely when he took hold of my wrist in his mouth. He liked me 😊
I totally agree ❤ Another great video by another wonderful person about this subject worth watching is ..-.. We were wrong about Wolves and Wolfpacks this whole time by Anton petrov. ❤
Its not a myth its misunderstood, alpha wolves don’t really exist they are just parents ,dogs are different only time there is kind of an “alpha” is when a female dog is in heat, but a neutered dog is not affected by this at all.
You bring up an important point, and I appreciate your effort to clarify some misconceptions. Indeed, the term “alpha” as applied to wolves has been largely discredited, as it was based on observations of captive wolves and doesn’t reflect the natural family dynamics found in wild wolf packs.
When it comes to dogs, it’s essential to recognize that they are not wolves, and their social structures and behaviors are quite different. Attempting to apply “alpha” concepts to dog training can lead to misunderstandings and problematic training methods.
I agree that certain behaviors might emerge in specific situations, such as when a female dog is in heat. However, these behaviors are far removed from the idea of an “alpha” hierarchy that was once believed to govern wolf packs.
In modern dog training, we focus on understanding each dog’s individual needs, emotions, and behaviors. By adopting a scientific and empathetic approach, we can communicate more effectively with our dogs and build relationships based on trust and positive reinforcement rather than outdated notions of dominance and hierarchy.
@Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution Well said, Zak.
Boy I wonder if Ceaser Milan is watching right now!
Your observation about Cesar Milan is astute, and it indeed raises some significant concerns. The persistence in clinging to outdated and debunked ideas, especially in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, is a red flag in any profession, particularly one that claims to be scientific.
It’s disconcerting to see trainers, including Mr. Milan, doubling down on flawed concepts rather than adapting and learning from the progress made in understanding dog behavior and training methodologies.
We must be unequivocal in our stance: adherence to disproven theories and refusal to evolve one’s approach is not just unscientific; it’s irresponsible. It’s crucial to hold those in influential positions accountable for their actions and the messages they promote, especially when they can impact the well-being of dogs and their guardians.
Thank you for pointing this out, and let’s continue to advocate for evidence-backed, humane dog training practices.
Nah I think he’s probably off choking or pinning a dog somewhere…
My sister went to her first puppy “obedience” class. The trainer warned them that if the puppy sits next to you and then puts a paw on you, they are trying to “dominate” and “be the alpha” 🤦🏼♀️. And if this nonsense is strong in the dog training world, oh wow is it pervasive in the *horse* world 😢.
🙁
I hope she walked out and found another puppy class!! Puppy class shouldn’t be about “obedience” (although puppies often learn sit and the beginning of walking on a leash nicely and stay–but you can’t expect most puppies to “master” those). Puppy class should be about socialization, learning to communicate with your dog, and learning positive methods to train your dog.
There is a content creator that my Mom watches who bills himself as someone who rescues dogs and brings them to his house/property to live their best life. He has at least 20 dogs at this point. He doesn’t call himself a trainer and he doesn’t show any training on his channel. He does talk about his many dogs being a pack and that he’s the alpha but I’ve never seen any worrying behavior from him on camera. His content is mostly just the stories of each dog and then updates on how they’re doing. Is this problematic? Is it different when someone has that many dogs as opposed to having one or two? Or is the idea of a pack totally and completely wrong? Thanks for all you do! 💜
Tough to say in this case. As I said, it’s a red flag in general. But it’s so pervasive in pop-culture that many people don’t realize what it can imply to behavior experts in this field.
Personally, I don’t care for the word “pack”. I like “group” much better. I work with Great Dane and Irish Wolfhound rescue. We once received a call about a puppy mill that was being closed down. There were 25 Great Danes–could we take them? “Yes, of course!” I said (“Oh, my God, where am I going to put 25 Great Danes? We don’t have enough foster homes!!” I thought. But it was we take them or they died, so of course we took them.). We had 15 dogs at our house for about two weeks. It was crowded. It was noisy. It was stressful for the dogs (but not nearly as stressful as the situation they’d been in). It was stressful for us! The dogs got along famously and did marvelously. I didn’t have a “pack”. I had a group of dogs. We eventually found foster homes for all those dogs. It wasn’t easy, but we did it. I look back and often wonder how we managed to do some of the things we did and how we always managed to find enough foster homes, enough money, etc. to take care of the dogs.
I watch this channel too and it’s lovely. I think he uses the words ‘pack’ to refer to the ‘group of dogs’ just like you’d call a group of crows ‘murder’, and ‘alpha’ because ultimately, he is the one making the decisions. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him walk his dogs on a leash, he lets them sleep in his bed, and baby talks to them all the time. I see absolutely no red flags when watching his videos, other than maybe he’s got issues saying ‘no’ to more dogs being added to the mix. But everyone seems to get along really well, he does the introductions in a smooth and gentle way, and as you said, the dogs seem to be living their best life with him. He fosters lots of dogs who then get adopted out, and showers each and every individual dog with love. A feel-good channel, even when there are sometimes hard decisions to be made regarding to health and well-being.
So what would you call a group of say 5+ dogs living together, if not a pack? A group of sheep is a flock, cows a herd, why not call a group of dogs a pack?
If you think Zak really loves dogs ❤, you’d be correct.
The breeder of my Caviler has 10 adult dogs (their family and ESA dogs) plus puppies at any given time. One of their females is definitely the leader of the pack/alpha. For example, if one of the puppies begins to wander then Ms Alpha goes and brings them back. She barks when outdoor playtime is over.
Now seriously, she’s their leader. I don’t want my dog to see me as the leader of the dog pack. I’m a human.😂
I appreciate your observation and insight, and it seems we’re on the same page about the unique relationship between humans and dogs. Your example demonstrates a fascinating aspect of dog behavior, and I agree that we don’t need to see ourselves as the “leader of the dog pack.”
However, I’d like to gently suggest that using terms like “alpha” can sometimes lead to misunderstandings about how dogs interact with each other and with humans. While certain dogs may exhibit leadership-like behaviors within their group, the term “alpha” has been associated with outdated training methods that don’t align with our current understanding of dog psychology.
Your acknowledgment that you don’t want your dog to see you as the leader of the dog pack resonates with a more modern, evidence-backed approach that emphasizes partnership, guidance, and positive reinforcement. Thank you for contributing to this essential conversation, and for recognizing the special bond that exists between us and our dogs!
Whoa whoa Kelsie you heard Zak Alpha And Back mentality Is Hog wash lol 😆
But foreal tho i see that too My neighbor just got a 9 week old German shepherd and my husky thats 2 years old Immediately took over the situation teaching him and correcting him as welll as playing and whats is and what isnt okay 😉 sooo Yeahhhh Unsubd im tired of this…. I just wanna see this Guy IN a field with other trainers and sees who method is best and whos full of it… I mean Really Dogs just appeared naturally wthout coming from something… Thats like saying a chicken didnt evole into a Velociraptor.. Not a (utah raptor) Ps im not a fan of belive that either or dinosaurs havin feathers…
I started with the Monks of New Skeet school of dominance and am slowly waking up.
One of the most problematic dog training books of a generation unfortunately. I’m so glad my dog training book is outselling that one! Glad to have you here and welcome to our community👍
Even when I used ‘balanced’ training techniques I knew this alpha thing was nonsense. I think it’s just an excuse compulsion trainers use to justify mistreating dogs.
Humans use positive reinforcement to train lions, tigers, cheetahs, hyenas, polar bears, crocodiles and dozens of other species which evolved independently from us and have incredibly strong evolutionary drives. Yet for some reason this doesn’t work with dogs, that were specifically bred of thousands of generations to work with us, and seek out company, affection and relationships?
To quote the meme: “yes, I can definitely smell shite”.
When it comes to training animals like crocodiles, large cats, bears, elephants and other “dangerous” animals (yes, dogs can be dangerous, but they aren’t a crocodile or elephant), you absolutely must rely on positive methods. To do otherwise would accomplish nothing, except maybe injuring or killing the trainer. You can’t “control” and yank on a collar to make an elephant “mind”. You have to use positive reinforcement to gain the animal’s trust and compliance. Most zoos now use positive training methods to train animals to cooperate with husbandry tasks and give medications. Ask a “balanced” trainer how to give an oral medication to a poisonous snake. They will likely have no idea how to go about it. Positive trainers do.
@Jan Hankins I’m not sure if my original comment expressed this very well, but yes I 100% agree with you. Positive reinforcement works for wild animals not predisposed to cooperation with humans, so it’ll definitely work with dogs that are specifically bred to be our helpers and companions.
@FitManFatty Agreed!
Be careful Zak. Dogs have an identical digestive tract to wolves and neither have mastered the creation of fire or the art of cooking. Processed food for dogs has only existed for a nanosecond of the thousands of years we have coexisted with them.
Dogs also have the same communication as wolves, body language, ears, eyes, tails etc. Although they have learnt to vocalise more, probably as a result of needing to gain human attention when silent signals are missed or ignored.
Humans and dogs historically have the same instincts and social structure from thousands of years ago. Probably why our early symbiotic relationship was so successful that it has continued into modern times. It is that of familial living predators!
Do our dogs need guidance and direction from us? Yes. Does that constitute leadership? Yes.
But the best leaders inspire, motivate, guide and empower those who choose to follow them. We should all aspire to be the leader our dogs deserve, the leader who respects the canine species, not the leader who bullies them into submission.
While it’s true that dogs and wolves share many similarities in terms of body language and basic digestive structure, they have diverged in several ways over thousands of years of domestication. Genetic studies reveal that dogs have developed the ability to digest starches, a trait wolves lack. This has allowed them to adapt to human food sources, including processed foods. In terms of communication, dogs have indeed developed unique adaptations to better interact with humans, including understanding specific human gestures. These nuances reflect how dogs have evolved as separate and distinct companions from their wolf ancestors, making it essential to consider their specific needs and behaviors in our relationship with them.
@Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution Sadly, as with many studies (such as the flawed garlic study giving rise to the myth that garlic is poisonous to dogs), the digestive enzymes study only indicates that some dogs can tolerate a small percentage of starch in their diet. This has translated to a very recent myth that highly processed dry food, high in starches, is good food. I would have to read the study again and any related ones to see whether there’s any research into nutritional value gained from starches.
Conversely, a high starch (carbohydrate) diet can lead to chronic health problems, many of which have increased in prevalence concurrently with the increase in feeding dry food to our dogs over the past 40 years.
I highly recommend Feeding Dogs by Conor Brady. The most comprehensive canine diet book written from 10 years of research and scientifically underpinned with study references throughout.
Humans have developed speech as a nuance of communication. That does not remove our ancestral instincts for survival though.
I’m not saying we should ignore recent adaptations but we can achieve much by looking to commonalities in communication between the species as a baseline. If we back off, take our time and observe the dog in our care we can tune in to those common instincts and learn more about the individual animal and tailor our care accordingly.
@Lemon Lady I don’t risk letting my dogs have any food in the onion family including garlic since one of my dogs died of eating a clump of chives. I think he thought it was grass.
I agree that chives and garlic are different but after that experience I will never risk it. The chives destroyed his bone marrow that makes blood cells.
Thank you for this
The alpha dog theory of training was all the rage in the late 70’s and 80’s. It’s kind of strange it still has legs. (I blame The Monks of New Skete) The majority of people don’t understand there is no such thing as “settled science,” that our understanding of everything changes with time. (I blame the education system for teaching what to think, not how to think.)
Wait a minute…..If I followed Zak’s “scientific training ” I wouldn’t need a compass, just a map, that scientists wrote. Oh, some food for the crew so I don’t have a mutiny. 🤣👌
While I appreciate your passion and commitment to your dogs, it’s disheartening to see resistance to evidence-based methods. The world of dog training is filled with nuanced, scientifically informed techniques that can foster true understanding and cooperation without resorting to dominance and intimidation. I urge you to explore these methods and the vast body of research that supports them, rather than clinging to outdated beliefs that do not serve the best interests of our canine companions.
@zakgeorge Dude, “evidence based methods ” is hyperbole. Take a look at Nate Schoemer, he is a YouTube balanced trainer who went to the Tom Rose school (Tom’s the guy who was dominating competions), Nate’s dog’s are 100 times more obedient than Inertia. Check out Charlie, that dog can’t stop wagging his tail and smiling while Nate trains him, but balanced training damages dogs. That’s nonsense, we’re not talking about inflicting pain, but discomfort until compliance ( leash pressure etc.), absolutely, I use that.
I understand where you’re coming from, and I appreciate that you’ve found success with the methods you’re using. Dog training is indeed a diverse field, with various approaches, all aimed at achieving better obedience and connection with our dogs.
When I refer to “evidence-based methods,” I’m speaking about practices rooted in scientific research that focus on positive reinforcement, minimizing discomfort, and working with a dog’s natural behaviors and emotions. While leash pressure and similar methods may lead to obedience, they don’t necessarily foster a relationship based on trust and understanding.
A wagging tail isn’t always a sign of happiness, and it can sometimes signal nervousness or over-arousal.
The fundamental difference between the training approach you’ve described and positive reinforcement methods lies in the philosophy and the underlying principles. While the former might involve discomfort until compliance, positive reinforcement emphasizes working with the dog to understand and reward desired behaviors, avoiding discomfort altogether.
Both methods can produce obedient dogs, but they may create different dynamics in the relationship between the dog and human. Many leading animal behaviorists and organizations support positive reinforcement techniques as more humane and effective in building a cooperative and trusting relationship with our dogs. Hope this clarifies! Have a good night!
@Zak George’s Dog Training Revolution I never said a wagging tail is always a sign of happiness, but in Charlie’s case, it obviously is.
@zakgeorge Life isn’t about avoiding discomfort altogether, that is fantasy world, we don’t live in that world with our dogs.
I don’t have to bribe my dogs to stay by me and listen to me. They choose to. Of course, that gets them paid and much better than the alternative.
I was on a dog course, when my dog misbehaved they expected me to forcefully lay her on her side to dominate her. When i didn’t do that a trainer came and did that to her. I left that dog school.
Good move! Proud of you.
I would need a lot more information but side submission is sometimes what it takes, like I said a lot more information is needed.