Alpha roll
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An alpha roll is a controversial technique used in dog training to discipline a misbehaving dog. It consists of flipping the dog onto his back and holding him 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 now known to be unsafe for both the trainer and the dog, including the authors of the book that originally introduced the idea have changed their position and no longer recommend it.
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[edit] 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" (see reference below). 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. In the original context, the alpha roll was only meant to be used in the most serious cases and always in combination with positive reinforcement techniques.
[edit] Effects
It is now known that by nature, a dog will only forcibly flip another animal onto his back during a serious fight where the intent may be to kill the opponent (this should not to be confused with the behaviour when a dog rolls over on his own to show submission). So in other words, when you perform the alpha roll your dog will believe that you are trying to kill him. 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.
It can also traumatize the dog, causing serious psychological disorders, and leading to further undesired behaviour such as fear-biting or submissive urination. For aggressive and dominant dogs, it may increase aggression rather than reduce it.
The alpha roll can also irreparably damage the relationship between the trainer and the dog.
The name alpha roll is itself 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. No wild wolf has ever been observed performing an alpha roll on another pack member.
[edit] Contemporary Use
The alpha roll was first popularized by the Monks of New Skete. Job Michael Evans, a former monk, has reportedly apologized for it.
Despite the dangers, a few trainers (rarely behaviourists) 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 behaviour 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 his behaviour appropriately, it may have some (often short-term) positive effect, but there are better and safer alternatives.
If the alpha roll appears to have any positive effect, it is usually due to the fear it instills in the dog rather than establishing true dominance. An animal controlled by fear can become anxious, emotionally unstable, and unpredictable. The dog will learn that using violence is acceptable behaviour and may attack people or animals he perceives as being weak when you are not around.
While techniques like the alpha roll appear to fix behavior problems in dogs on television, in reality it more likely suppresses or interrupts a behavior. Suppressing or interrupting a behavior is not the same as changing behavior.
[edit] Alternatives to alpha roll
If a dog is showing dominant behaviour and challenging his trainer, there are many safer and better ways of dealing with the problem. Some of these are listed below. In the most serious cases, a canine behaviourist 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 (if they sit and wait first, it is not important who goes through first, since the dog is already under your control), stay on a bed or specific area during mealtimes, when visitors are over, 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 carrys 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.
[edit] References and links
- International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP)
- Monks of New Skete, The (1978). How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend. Little, Brown & Company. ISBN 0-316-60491-7.
- [1] - Assessing the Alpha Roll
- [2] - Are You the Alpha?
- [3] - The Dominance Myth
- [4] - History and Misconceptions of Dominance/Alpha Roll
- [5] - Punishment: Problems and Principles for Effective Use
- [6] - About That Alpha Roll - from about.com
- [7] - Alpha-Roll Training Can Cause Serious Problems - from veterinarypartner.com
- [8] - rec.pets.dogs Behaviour FAQ
- [9] - Canine Handling in a Clinical Setting
