General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Adopting a dog - some questions [View all]targetpractice
(4,919 posts)Go research the modern canine science... Your own anecdotal observations do not prove pack theory, nor do Cesar Milan's methods.
All disproven "pack theory" observations came from wolves in captivity. Wolves "put together" in unnatural conditions yield stressed behavior. The unfamiliar animals became became aggressive and established an unnatural dominance hierarchy in captivity.
There is no "pack" behavior in wild wolves. Wolf "packs" in the wild are family units, and the "dominance hierarchy" is simply due to older, experienced animals leading, teaching younger ones. Domestic dogs did not inherit "pack" behavior from wild wolves. There is NO pack behavior instinct.
Human companions trying to be alpha over a dog is nonsense. If a dog likes you, they will do whatever you want them to do because you treat them well... not because you are an "alpha". Milan's training is designed to make dogs afraid of him. It's negative reinforcement. And, I realized that old school training is ubiquitous, but it really short changes dogs as companion animals and modern scientific research.