Alpha Rolling Dogs - don't do it!

Alpha Rolling
by:  Robin Sockness
MyBestBuddyDogTraining.com

You might have been told or are under the impression that your dog needs to be told who is in charge and that the best way to do that, is via an “alpha roll”. In your mind this will effectively establish you as the “pack leader”, and the dog will be content knowing his proper place in the “pack hierarchy” and be submissive to you. You may think that an alpha roll shows the dog that you are strong, the boss, the head man in charge.

Please understand the two mechanisms (ways of coping) a dog has when faced with danger. 1. Flight - When presented with danger, flee to get away.  2. Fight -  If presented with danger, fight to protect yourself.

When you alpha roll your dog, you are forcibly holding the dog in place - eliminating option one, which is flight. What does that leave for the dog?  The dog may attempt to fight - option two.   It’s a temporary fix.  You may win by being a bully but you lost at solving the problem because your dog will do it again. The submissive body language you get when the dog finally surrenders is exactly what you “think” you want to see, but your dog is fearful.  Fear could turn to aggressive behavior in the future. The kind of submissive behavior you get when you alpha roll is fear and fear can lead to aggression.

The majority of aggression and behavioral problems stem from insecurity on the dog’s part - not because he wants to “dominate” you.  Alpha rolling your dog will make the problem even worse - make your dog more insecure. Instead, you should work with the dog to help him overcome his/her insecurities. Manhandling will exacerbate the problem.  What if you were insecure about something and someone forcibly pinned you to the ground? Would that make you more or less insecure? Suppression of a behavior does not equal correction! Focus on developing a relationship with your dog and teaching him/her the behaviors you want to see.

Alpha rolling is often done in response to something the handler considers the dog did “wrong”. It contributes to the suppression of the warning signals the dog gives off before something more serious takes place (biting). Growling is usually the dogs way of saying “back off!”. If you respond by alpha rolling the dog, you are also suppressing his natural behavior (growling is natural), and teaching the dog that growling is ineffective as a warning signal. Your dog will stop using growling as a warning signal altogether and go straight to a bite. Then the incident is  interpreted as the dog attacked without reason! Simply suppressing behavior by alpha rolling a dog is very dangerous, and does nothing to help correct how the dog feels on the inside, and increases the chances of a bite.

The dominance theory behind the alpha roll has been discredited by many, including the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, Marc Beckoff (who has written a lot about this), The Pet Professional Guild and David Mech who studies wolves.

So what are you telling your dog by being a bully and alpha rolling? You are saying you are insecure. So instead of showing him that you are a calm, trustworthy and confident leader, you are demonstrating very effectively through aggression that you are a threat, and you’re doing so in much the same way a highly insecure dog would.  Nobody wins. Dogs are looking to be as comfortable and safe as possible, not to constantly compete with you.

In conclusion: the alpha roll is not necessary to raise a well-behaved dog.  What is necessary, are clear rules, structure, reliable obedience training, and time to develop a lasting relationship that is built on trust and respect.

 

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