I have heard repeatedly that much of the facts about pack behavior in dogs were actually false. Is this true?

I have read that decades ago, some scientists did some research of pack behavior in wolves, and started applying it to the domesticated dog, but many of the methods were disproved.





What are these methods?

I have heard repeatedly that much of the facts about pack behavior in dogs were actually false. Is this true?
I'm not sure about the research you are talking to, but it cracks me up when people start chastising those who believe in the pack theory and practice it with their dogs because it's *mean*- but I'll tell you one thing, I see a TON of dogs come and go on a daily basis- between owning a dogwash, doing obedience/agility/conformation- and then just the ones I see in public- I'll tell you something- the people who practice some sort of pack dynamics have happier, healthier, better behaved dogs than the idiots who claim it's *mean*





Dogs are social animals, and ANY animal (from ants, to dogs, to humans)- must have some sort of "order" in their lives- someone is in charge- (the queen in the ant colony, the presidents, bosses, parents in human society, etc.)- why would we think it's any different in dogs? I've watched my own pack of 4 dogs- and I see it- every day. My dogs are also better behaved than the majority of kids I see.





So- while some idiot may think that I'm being *cruel* if I don't let my dogs on the bed, or don't let them climb up in my lap uninvited, or make their play sessions "my" idea, not theirs. But, my dog will also not be rude to you if you're ever a guest in my home- nor will my dogs lunge at other dogs in public, etc.
Reply:One of the mistaken theories is that dogs behave exactly like wolves. They don't. Because of selective breeding over the years for temperament that will tolerate and enjoy human company, dogs act more like juvenile wolves than adult wolves, so their pack behavior is also modified. For example, adult wolves rarely play, but adult dogs often do. Also wolves rarely fight among each other - it is bad for the health of the pack for constant fighting to be going on - instead they communicate pack order and authority and give orders largely through body language. Dogs are more likely to fight with other dogs than wolves are.





Some things still apply - dogs tend to have a pack order that they follow and they accept humans as part of that pack (wolves don't). But training techniques such as the so-called alpha roll are rarely seen in wolf packs and are not good training techniques for dogs.
Reply:My friend was attacked by a pack of Dachsunds, that were her sisters, who came in from out of town. One dog bit her when she went down the stairs and then the other two started to attack her. It took 3 people to pull the pack of dogs off of her. Her sister breeds Dachsunds and was told that they have that pack instinct in them... They chewed her leg up pretty good. She went to the ER.
Reply:That's because dogs are NOT wolves, they are a separate branch of that evolutionary direction.





Dogs do get into pack mentality if there are a group of them, meaning one dog sounds the alarm, all the other dogs get excited too, but they are certainly not roving packs of wolves - that's nuts. So is Cesar Millan who bases his nutsy theories on roving packs of Mexican semi-feral street dogs.


That "alpha roll" will get you bitten - not even wolves do it. The wolves bow and roll over willingly to the lead wolf - he doesn't pin them down like Millan does - if an adult wolf has to do that to another wolf, he is going to kill him.





Dogs are NOT wolves - they bond with people and are companion animals.
Reply:Ah, I have no idea what is really true or not. I don't believe in the whole "dog whisperer" act, but I do believe there is some kind of "order" when you have more than one dog, or if you have one dog, that your dog should understand that you are before them in "order".
Reply:This was a good article about dominance and the (all-too-popular) "alpha roll".





http://www.dogtrickacademy.com/members/a...





There are other links at the bottom of the article (above), that talk about the pack behavior in wolves and what parts of it are relevant --or not--to dog pack behavior and dog training.
Reply:I've heard whispers of this, too, but never more than a mention somewhere. I'd be interested to know this answer.
Reply:There was a thread on a forum I belong to that discussed the very topic you are interested in depth. You can read the discussion and find links to other writings on the subject at- http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthread...
Reply:The only thing I can Answer is that what they say about much of the facts about pack behavior in dogs were false. That is not true I can tell you! Trust me, I know lots about dogs,otherwise a dog expert!