Jjgj] 30
voices >
NOVEMBER 11,2011
WWW.JUSTOUT.COM
Alpha Schmalfa
A lazy Saturday afternoon, the dog park. My
youngest pup instigates -a vigorous game of
chase with a Great Dane and soon the Dane
plays roughly. The owner walks over, throws the
dog to the ground and slaps it across the face.
It’s the second time in a week I see harsh “got-
ta-show-my-dog-who's-boss” treatment. Unaf
fected, my dog quickly runs back for more, hut
I feel so uncomfortable I leave.
I’m a proponent of a kinder, gentler approach.
Alpha-dominance training is based on a de
cades-old, debunked theory of wolf pack behav
ior that, sadly, is still touted as “the way.” Two
salient points: The pack model with its domi-
_ nance component has been discredited by its
very promoter. Scientific study of wolves now
concurs that wolf behavior resembles a family
more than a pack; wolves do not alpha-roll their
young and growl in their faces until they submit.
Next, and critically important, whatever wolves
do, domestic dogs are not wolves.
O ur canine sidekicks descended from the
friendliest o f ancient wolves, those with the
shortest flight distance. Generation after gen
eration of genetic selection for comfort with
humans has made modern cams familiaris a
whole different animal than her wild, many-
times-great grandparents. Domestic dogs love
us and want to please us; the urge has been
cemented into their DN A over tens o f thou
petlandia
B Y MARY M A N D EV ILLE, DC
sands of years of species development. H u
mans and canines have evolved as a working
team, together, over time. We don’t have to
resort to ruling with an iron fist.
W hen I walk my dog on leash at Mt. Tabor,
I am aware of what she gives up— the ability
to run with a grace and speed I couldn’t touch
even in my youthful marathoning days, to fol
low her nose and exercise her own curiosity. I
can choose to believe she’s simply willful if she
pulls on the leash in her enthusiasm to go, go,
go. I can become frustrated and punitive if she
tugs in an effort to drink in some delicious
scents along the way. Or, I can choose to re
ward her for cooperating with my agenda in
stead of enjoying her own. I could take it fur
ther and make a conscious effort to be sure I
meet not only my needs—safety, schedule,
leash laws, lumbering two-legged gait, but
hers as well— to fly like the wind, dash hither
and yon, sniff the daily news, live in the mo
ment. It’s easier to be controlling than to
struggle for effective two-way communication.
But once I’ve made the choice to have and
care for a dog, it’s not just about my needs, it’s
about a relationship.
I’ve found dogs will respond to a pretty simple
program—great food, plenty of exercise (off-
leash play is required), things to chew and lots
of social interaction with people and other
dogs. A little formal training thrown in, rein
forced with rewards and— and voilà!—dogs
who come when called, sit nicely for treats,
leave gross stuff alone when asked, pee and
poop outside and, for the most part, don’t eat
the house and furnishings.
Treating dogs like their needs matter has as
much to do with how it shapes our character as
it does with how it helps our dogs. For me, the
lesson applies %
to relationships with my partner,
friends and children. Sure, I could alpha-roll
them into submission. They’d probably be more
compliant than they are now. But robbed of the
best my dogs (partner, friends, children) have to
offer, my spirit would be diminished.
The alpha-dominance paradigm is still
spouted as if it were gospel. Next time you
hear it, give it a miss. Try a relationship-based
approach instead. You’ll still be head honcho,
but your dog will be happier and perform for
you because he wants to.
W hat kind of friend and leader do you want
to be?
Relationship-based dog training strives to
meet the needs o f both the human and the
dog. I t’s an empathetic approach, taking into
account the dog’s point o f view. True, there are
times when the dog’s desire cannot be consid
ered. Molly may want to chase the cat across
the freeway, but she cannot be allowed to do
so for her own safety. We can focus on making
her happy she complied with us, rather than
making her sorry she didn’t.
I t’s a lot like raising children. We can choose
a spare-the-iod and spoil-the-child approach
and intimidate children into compliance. O r
we can provide food and shelter, learning op
portunities and loving kindness and enjoy the
kids’ company. I t’s easy to figure out which
method will reap the most rewards for every
one in the long run.
Years ago, I started out with choke chains
and alpha-rolls on professional advice. One
look at my yellow lab-and-beagle mix— her
eyes wide and ringed with white, tail tucked
between her legs and ears plastered to her
head— and I decided if this was training, I’d
put up with a poorly behaved but happy dog.
M ary M andeville is an animal chiropractor.
Turns out, that wasn’t necessary. Over time, Visit animotionchiro.com fo r more.
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