The Pack Theory

Instilling fear into dogs is outdated, proven not to work and disproven by many good dog trainers, besides being cruel. The idea is that it is a simple method, following a simple set of rules, within the relationship between human and dog, one which will try to make sure the dog falls into line. It is one that is based on instilling fear into dogs.

This method is linked to the wolf pack theory, but in actual fact wolves are a different species separated from dogs by thousands of years of evolution, with only a few similar behaviours. In the wild they act differently and in domesticated environments they also do. The idea is that wolves live in conflict in a pack, but studies have shown that a wolf pack is a mother, a father and offspring and they don’t live in conflict at all.

Research talks about the captive wolves in the 1970’s that formed part of the study aforementioned as ‘The pack theory.’ The study demonstrated that there was a rigid hierarchy, in which the leaders (alphas) had access to resources and others did not. They showed aggression towards others but this was an unnatural environment of captivity, where the wolves were thrown together and fenced in. The result would of course be fights, tension and aggressive behaviours. Because this happened it was theorised that dogs were the same and that that social groupings of violent pack dynamics must exist among domesticated dogs as well. The concept not only attributed to explain the behaviour in a pack of dogs, but also between people and dogs and how dogs should be trained. The wolves in actual fact were not related. Wolves live and stay in a family unit by nature. Throwing wolves together as they did in the study is bound not to show reliable research information into ‘normal’ pack behaviour and particularly not about dogs who are a different species.

If you don’t know how dogs feel and think and draw the differences between wolf and dog then the wolf pack theory might seem valid. Surprisingly even though this new research is available to us all some still believe in and use the wolf pack theory. This theory goes so far, as not to only not speak the truth of dog behaviour, but also not of wolf behaviour. It demonstrates nothing about understanding a dogs body language, expressions or behaviour. As the dog is humans closest mammal in terms of behaviour, why would we want to dominate our family?

Modern dog training is about moving forwards with new proven and kind methods and not looking to the old. Because there has been research that has concentrated on communication between dogs and humans and it’s viable, we can now apply this language to training. Modern dog training is a hands off approach and doesn’t embrace any of the cruel methods such as challenging a dog and restraining him, to show him who is boss. Modern dog training is about using modern data and studies and building on this as an on-going fluid field of thought. ‘Mans best friend’ says it all, after all we wouldn’t want our friends to be fearful of us.

Reference CoE and Victoria Stillwell.