Alpha roll

An alpha roll is a technique used in dog training to discipline a misbehaving dog. It consists of flipping the dog onto its back and holding it in that position, sometimes by the throat. The theory is that this teaches the dog that the trainer is the pack leader (or alpha animal). Some believe this method is unsafe for both the trainer and the dog, including the authors of the book that originally introduced the idea, who have since changed their position and no longer recommend it.

History

The alpha roll was first widely popularized by the Monks of New Skete, in the 1976 book "How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend". [cite book
author=Monks of New Skete, The
title=How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend
publisher=Little, Brown & Company
year=1978
id=ISBN 0-316-60491-7] The book itself is widely regarded as a classic in dog training literature and highly recommended for people trying to better understand their dog. However, the monks themselves later expressed regret that they had included the alpha roll technique in the book, as it was often taken out of context and misused. Job Michael Evans, a former monk, has reportedly apologized for it. In the original context, the alpha roll was only meant to be used in the most serious cases.

Effects

It is now believed that by nature, a dog will only forcibly flip another animal onto its back during a serious fight where the intent may be to kill the opponent [cite web | title= Leadership vs. Dominance | author= Nicole Wilde, CPDT | year = 2001 | url=http://www.phantompub.com/Leadership%20Vs%20Dominance.pdf | accessmonthday= October 8 | accessyear= 2007 ] [cite web | title= History & Misconceptions of Dominance Theory | author= Dr. Ian Dunbar | url=http://bogartsdaddy.com/bouvier/Training/alpha-roll_no.htm | accessmonthday= October 8 | accessyear= 2007 ] (this should not to be confused with the behavior when a dog rolls over on its own to show submission). Many dogs, not only dominant or aggressive ones, will instinctively try to defend themselves, which can be very dangerous or even fatal to the trainer.

The name alpha roll could be considered a misnomer, as top wolf experts - such as David Mech - no longer use the term when describing the behavior of wild wolves. Also, in wild wolf packs dominance displays are uncommon and usually only take place over distribution of food for the young. [cite web | title= Alpha status, dominance, and division of laborin wolf packs | author= L. David Mech | year= 1999 | publisher= Canadian Journal of Zoology 77:1196-1203 | url= http://www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/scientific/mech_pdfs/267alphastatus_english.pdf | accessmonthday= October 8 | accessyear= 2007 ] No wild wolf has ever been observed performing an alpha roll on another pack member.

Contemporary use

Despite the dangers, a few trainers still use the alpha roll or recommend its use. Even then, it is usually used only with the most dominant dogs to correct very serious transgressions. It should never be used by inexperienced trainers, and never to correct undesired behavior caused by the dog's failure to understand your command. This will increase anxiety in the dog. Used in a controlled way and coupled with praise and rewards when the dog changes her behavior appropriately, it may have some (often short-term) positive effect, but there is disagreement about its long-term effectiveness.

Alternatives to alpha roll

If a dog is showing dominant behavior and challenging its trainer, there are many safer and potentially more effective ways of dealing with the problem. Some of these are listed below. In the most serious cases, a canine behaviorist should be consulted.

In nature, an alpha animal does not maintain its position by fear and violence because an alpha is a parental figure. In wolves, a pack is made up of the breeding pair and its offspring, who stay with the pack until they reach maturity, around 2-3 years of age, at which point they split off and form their own packs. This is why it is neither necessary nor scientifically accurate that wolves force other pack members to submit. Instead, they control the resources as a human parent does with their children. None of which require force.

* Control feedings by limiting food to two twenty-minute feeding sessions before all food is taken up until next feeding. Dog can perform commands, tricks or simply wait patiently for their food.

* Control attention by not allowing the dog to demand petting or play.

* Control access to furniture by only allowing access on invitation, or not at all.

* Control freedom in the home by requiring the dog to sit and wait at doorways, stay on a bed or specific area during mealtimes, when visitors are over, etc. It is still important you initiate movement actions (getting off a bed or removing the dog, exiting the house for a walk in front of the dog, etc).

*Teach the dog to heel. This instills the sense that the dog must look to the handler for cues on what it should do next. This sense of permission carries over to all aspects of the dogs life.

* Train, train, and train some more. No matter how many dogs you have trained in the past, enrolling in a group class exposes the dog to an increasing level of distractions, where they learn to look to you for direction. That is the mark of a real leader.

* Positive does not mean permissive. Set boundaries and rules and stick with them.

* If you are unable to cope with a behavior problem on your own, a dog behavior consultant will usually be able to help. There are also several books on dog psychology that may help you better understand the dog.

Further sources

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Footnotes