The Myth of Dominance
Why ‘Being the Alpha’ Doesn’t Work for Big Dogs (or Any Dog)
When you own a large dog, you’ll hear this at least once:‘You need to show them who’s boss.‘ You may even think that yourself. I certainly did at one stage. It’s one of those phrases that lingers in general culture, in online forums, and in advice you hear from friends and family – the belief that your dog is trying to ‘dominate’ you, and you must assert yourself as the alpha to keep control.
For owners of big, powerful breeds, this advice can feel especially persuasive – and quite intimidating. After all, when your 40kg Labrador cross or 35kg German Shepherd starts pulling or barging through doorways, ‘dominance’ sounds like a neat explanation. But here’s the problem: it’s a myth. And following it can do more harm than good.
In this post, I’ll explore where the dominance theory came from, why it’s so outdated, and what modern science and real-life cases tell us instead – so you can build trust and cooperation with your big dog, not fear and confusion.
What Is the Dominance Myth?
The idea of dominance in dog training stems from studies of wolves in the mid-20th century – particularly studies and theories by biologist Rudolf Schenkel. He observed unrelated captive wolves, noted aggression, hierarchy-type behaviour and coined terms like ‘alpha male’ and ‘alpha female.
The story goes like this: If wolves have an ‘alpha’ at the top, then domestic dogs must operate like wolves too – so humans must assume the ‘alpha’ role and keep their dog in submission. That logic gave birth to training rules such as: you eat first, you get on the furniture first, your dog doesn’t interrupt you – because you’re the pack-leader and your dog must know their place.
Applied to dogs, the key misconceptions born out of this theory are:
- That dogs misbehave to challenge our authority and take the ‘top’ spot.
- That we must dominate them physically (or psychologically) to show we’re boss.
- That large, strong breeds especially need stronger ‘pack leadership’.
But here’s the twist: subsequent research debunked the idea that wolves (and therefore dogs) operate like this in the wild. In 1999, wolf researcher Dr David Mech – one of the people most associated with the original ‘alpha’ term – published that wolves in the wild are simply family units, where the ‘parents’ lead and teach, not dominate.
Therefore, in reality, dogs are not trying to dominate us. They’re living in our world, trying to understand what we require, and they respond best when we communicate clearly, set boundaries kindly, and reward cooperation rather than fear.
Why This Matters for Us Besties
Large dogs come with equally large reputations. They’re often misunderstood as ‘dominant’, ‘strong-willed’, or even ‘dangerous’, labels you won’t hear mentioned when it comes to smaller dogs (even though I’ve personally met quite a few very angry Schnauzers). These stereotypes that large breeds endure can unfortunately lead to harsher training, reduced trust, and sadly, in some cases, the breakdown of our human–dog bestie bond.
Dominance-based methods feed that fear. Reward-based approaches, on the other hand, build mutual respect and calm confidence. As you will see below from what the science says, the following statements are facts:
- Big dogs thrive under a consistent, gentle hand – not confrontation.
- Trust matters even more when your dog weighs 30+ kgs and can physically influence their surroundings.
- A fearful or mistrusting dog of that size isn’t just stressed – they’re potentially unsafe, too.
This isn’t about you being permissive or ‘soft’. It’s about being effective and having the right mindset – setting boundaries with kindness, consistency, and clear communication.
What Science Actually Says
Modern canine behaviour science tells a very different story to the old dominance theory. Dogs aren’t plotting to overthrow us – they’re cooperative learners, shaped by trust, communication, and reinforcement, not by power struggles.
Here’s what actual scientific research has proven:
De Castro et al. (2020) reviewed training methods and found that the more punishment-based techniques were used, the more dogs’ welfare declined – not just during training, but in everyday behaviour too. In short: just like it would for us, punishment makes life harder for them.
👉 Read the study on PMC
Casey et al. (2021) discovered that dogs trained with two or more aversive methods showed a more negative ‘mood state’, responding more slowly in tasks designed to measure optimism. In plain English: punishment-trained dogs were more pessimistic. Who wouldn’t be?
👉 Read the study on Nature
Jønholt et al. (2021) explored voluntary, reward-based training across species and found it reduced stress markers – proof that positive methods don’t just work; they actually improve welfare.
👉 Read the study on PMC
Blackwell et al. (2008) surveyed owners and found that dogs trained with punishment-based methods were more likely to develop behavioural problems later on.
👉 Read the study on ScienceDirect
What all of this tells us is pretty clear:
- Using dominance or punishment doesn’t help dogs understand what we want – it often creates confusion, fear, or even aggression.
- Reward-based methods, on the other hand, build confidence and clarity.
- And for large breeds, that’s especially important. When a 40kg dog gets anxious or misreads a signal, the fallout can be much more serious than with a terrier having an off day.
Positive training isn’t about being ‘soft’; it’s about being smart, fair, and kind – the very qualities that make our dogs trust us in the first place.
Bringing The Science To Life
I’ve picked out a few key aspects from the scientific studies mentioned above to help bring the science to life for you – showing how dogs actually learn, and what that means for those of us living with large breeds. These real examples reveal how small changes in approach can make a big difference in your dog’s confidence, cooperation, and wellbeing. As you read, think about how these lessons might apply to your own training – especially in moments when strength or size come into your mindset and make communication feel tricky.
Case Study 1: Harnessing Voluntary Cooperation (Jønholt, 2021)
In a peer-reviewed study, Jønholt described how a shelter’s training programme shifted from compulsion to voluntary, reward-based participation. Instead of forcing dogs into position, handlers invited them to choose to take part, using clicker and lure techniques.
The result? Less stress, more engagement, and improved welfare across the board.
👉 Read the study on PMC
What this means for large breeds:
If you’ve got a big dog who dreads grooming, vet visits, or even putting on the lead (which is common in large breeds), swapping the ‘you must’ mindset for ‘you can choose – and here’s the reward for doing so’ makes a world of difference. You’ll see more willingness, less resistance, and fewer risky moments.
Case Study 2: Mood and Training Methods (Casey et al., 2021) This controlled study compared dogs trained with aversive methods (such as punishment or pressure) against those trained using reward-based techniques. The results were striking: dogs in the aversive group took significantly longer to respond to ambiguous tasks – a sign of a more pessimistic mindset.
👉 Read the study on Nature
What this means for large breeds:
When a big dog seems ‘grumpy’, ‘stubborn’, or ‘shut down’, it’s easy to label them as dominant or lazy. But the truth might be that they’re carrying stress or confusion from past training experiences. Aloofness can also be a characteristic of the breed, as with Rhodesian Ridgebacks. So don’t be quick to judge them. Shifting to the positive methods mentioned already can completely change their mood and motivation, helping them become more responsive and eager to work with you.
Case Study 3: Behaviour Problems and Training Style (de Castro et al., 2020) This research found that dogs trained with punishment-heavy methods showed more stress behaviours and had more welfare issues than those trained through rewards alone.
👉 Read the study on PMC
What this means for large breeds:
If your dog is pulling on the lead, jumping up, or reacting to other dogs, dominance-based methods might seem tempting – but they can make things worse. Instead, focus on rewarding what you do want: calm greetings, loose lead walking, and quiet focus. You’ll see better results and a much happier dog.
Quick Snapshot Guide On How to Train Without Dominance
Here’s a simple quick view toolkit to help you move from outdated dominance myths to modern, effective, and kind training methods:
Reward What You Want
Write down the behaviours you’d like to see more of – loose lead walking, sitting before doors, calm greetings – and reward them immediately with treats, praise, or play.
Meet Their Physical & Mental Needs
Big breeds often need both exercise and brainwork. A tired, stimulated dog is far less likely to jump, pull, or ignore you.
Use Clear Cues, Not Corrections
Keep your words and gestures consistent. If your dog doesn’t respond, don’t assume they’re being defiant – ask yourself whether your cue was clear or whether the environment was too distracting.
Read Their Body Language
Dogs can’t tell us they’re overwhelmed, but they’ll show it – yawning, lip-licking, turning away, pinned ears. These mean ‘I’m unsure’ or ‘I need space,’ not ‘I’m being naughty.’
Avoid Physical Dominance or Punishment
Rolling, forcing, or shouting might stop a behaviour temporarily, but it damages trust. Fearful dogs don’t learn; they simply shut down.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
If your large dog shows aggression, strong pulling, or reactivity, reach out to a qualified professional who uses evidence-based, reward-focused methods – for example, practitioners accredited with the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) or the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT).
Link to the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors
Link to the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
Be Consistent & Patient
Big dogs don’t change overnight. But with patience, consistency, and kindness, you’ll see transformation over time – in both behaviour and your bond.
Remember: The dominance myth only sticks around because it feels simple and we don’t want to challenge the simple idea that ‘dogs want to control us, so we must control them.’ But science and experience tells us otherwise.
Training your Bestie isn’t about control. It’s about connection – guiding them with patience, respect, and reward. When you let go of outdated ideas about dominance, you’ll gain something far stronger: trust, cooperation, and a bond built on love, not fear.
