Dominance, a Real Fact... Confirmed by the same David Mech!
Update!
The same David Mech altogheter with others experts on the field, wanted to set the record straight due to the wide spread of misinformation and misinterpretation made by the Slandering Liars of the "purely positive" trainers about the concept of Dominance being "mythology"...
Dr. Bekoff: “In response to my essay, David Mech wrote to me:
- “I probably won’t have time to read this right now, for I’m preparing for a trip out of the country early next week. However, a quick scan of the Kelley article reveals much misinformation attributed to me.
This misinterpretation and total misinformation like Kelley’s has plagued me for years now.
I do not in any way reject the notion of dominance.” - David Mech
Dominance, for all "pure positive" trainers is a dirty word and it's used to discredit other methods and label any trainer using a different approach as a "Dominance based trainer" and thus he/she is "outdated" and "uneducated"
Also it's used as Strawman
There are Dominance and Submission and More it is also Tangible, Quantitative and Verificable
Journal of Mammalogy, 2005 DOMINANCE, AGGRESSION, AND GLUCOCORTICOID LEVELS IN SOCIAL CARNIVORES
SCOTT CREEL
(this study was made in the wild, studing Wolfs, the African Wild Dog and Dwarf Mongooses by Scott Creel)
The clearest behavioural correlate of high rank was that ALPHAS won a high proportion of their contests, but it seems unlikely that winning is more stressful than losing.
Speculatively, it is possible that the higher GC (GLUCOCORTICOID) levels of Dominants are a Consequence of their ‘Behavioural State’, rather than their overt actions.
For example, readiness to escalate a fight when challenged may be a Cognitive Stressor, even if NO CHALLENGE IS MADE.
This same pattern is seen in African wild dogs (Creel et al. 1996, 1997): while ALPHAS have higher GC levels than subordinates, there is little association between GC levels and rank among nonalphas.
It is intriguing that elevated GC levels are more clearly related to ALPHA status than to behavioural variables (e.g. rate of aggression) - Scott Creel 2002
It's a Clear Fact that for a Dog is LESS Stressful be the Subordinate Calm Submisive, than be an ALPHA Dominant.
You Do Not go to change the Mental State of a Dominant dog with Treats or Bribery and what Cesar's approach Acctually Does is HE CHANGE THE MENTAL STATE OR BEHAVIOURAL STATE OF A DOMINANT "nervousness" DOG to one CALM SUBMISIVE STATE.
And this just get Worse and Worse for the Pigeons, this Study was already confirmed by a recent one
It’s tough at the top for alpha males: study
AFP – Thu, Jul 14, 2011
The results of nine years of research on wild baboons, published in the journal Science, suggest that despite perks like easy access to mates and food, top-ranking males experience similar stress levels as their lowest-rung counterparts.
Those in the middle showed lower stress than either the top or bottom ranking males, according to measurements of testosterone and a stress hormone known as glucocorticoid.
“Alpha males exhibited much higher stress hormone levels than second-ranking (beta) males, suggesting that being at the top may be more costly than previously thought,” said the study led by researchers at Princeton University.
- ” I’ve used the word dominance to describe the energy of leadership, but in the animal world dominance doesn’t mean “brutality,” and assertive certainly doesn’t mean “aggressive.” I believe that good leadership never involves bullying or intimidating; instead, it depends on confidence, knowing what you want, and sending clear, consistent messages about what you want.” – Cesar Millan
It is perfectly conceivable that Dominance and Submission originated as an evolutionary necessity.
They are probably the only viable options to establish an evolutionarily stable strategy for aggressive social animals. In their absence no complex society can exist for long, except in rare cases of haplodiploid organisms, such as hymenoptera.
However, Canids, being Diploid, need to have genetic mapping to Eventually Develop Dominance and Submission Behavior.
Selection obviously worked towards a development of these behavioral traits, not at birth, but when the young begin interacting with other adult members of their pack. These adults are their relatives, and kin selection governs their behavior. As long as Wolves, African Hunting Dogs, Coyotes and Dogs continue behaving and caring for their progeny the way they do, this proves to be the evolutionarily stable strategy for diploid social Canids.
Social predators live in a world where energy is necessary for survival and where waste is heavy penalized.
Only the fittest will survive long enough to give their genes to their offspring. Among these aggressive social predators, the fittest are undoubtedly the best in using the Mechanisms of Dominance and Submission, and their offspring will be even better at using them.
-Ethology Institute Cambridge
Science News:
Dogs Are Aggressive If They Are Trained Badly
ScienceDaily (May 1, 2009) — Many dogs are put down or abandoned due to their violent nature, but contrary to popular belief, breed has little to do with a dog's aggressive behaviour compared to all the owner-dependant factors.
This is shown in a NEW STUDY from the University of Córdoba, which includes breeds that are considered aggressive by nature, such as the Rottweiler or the Pit Bull.
The Conclusions, however, are surprising: it is the Owners who are primarily responsible for attacks DUE TO DOMINANCE or competition of their pets.
The research team from the University of Córdoba (UCO) has determined a series of external factors which are INHERENT to the dogs in order to Understand their aggressiveness, and they have observed that external, modifiable and Owner-Dependent factors have a Greater Influence on the animals.
According to Joaquín Pérez-Guisado, the main author of the study and a researcher from the UCO, some of the factors that cause aggressiveness in dogs are: First-time dog ownership; Failure to Subject the dog to Basic Obedience Training; SPOILING OR PAMPERING the dog; NOT USING PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT WHEN IT IS REQUIRED; buying a dog as a present, as a guard dog or on impulse; spaying female dogs; leaving the dog with a constant supply of food, or spending very little time with the dog in General and on its Walks.
"Failure to Observe all of these Modifiable Factors WILL ENCOURAGE THIS TYPE OF AGGRESSIVENESS AND WOULD CONFORM TO WHAT WE COLLOQUIALLY CALL "GIVING OUR DOG A BAD EDUCATION" Pérez-Guisado explains to
The study, which has Recently been published in the Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING FACT: APPROXIMATLY 40% OF DOMINANCE AGGESSION IN DOGS IS ASSOCIATED WITH LACK OF AUTHORITY ON THE PART OF THE OWNERS WHO HAVE NEVER Performed Basic Obedience Training with their pets or who have only carried out the Bare Minimum of training.
Breed has less influence on aggressiveness
The Spanish researchers studied 711 dogs (354 males and 357 females) of which 594 were purebred and 117 were half-breed dogs older than one year of age. Among the breeds observed were the Bull Terrier, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Alsatian, the Boxer, the Rottweiler, the Doberman, as well as apparently more docile breeds such as the Dalmatian, the Irish Setter, the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, the Miniature Poodle, the Chihuahua, the Pekinese, or the French Bulldog, Which Also exhibit Dominant Behaviour.
According to Pérez-Guisado certain breeds, male sex, a small size, or an age of between 5-7 years old are "the dog-dependent factors associated with Greater Dominance Aggression". Nevertheless, these factors have "MINIMAL EFFECT" on Whether the dog Behaves Aggressively. FACTORS LINKED TO THE OWNER'S ACTIONS ARE MORE INFLUENTIAL.
TO CORRECT THE ANIMAL'S BEHAVIOUR, THE OWNER SHOULD HANDLE IT APPROPRIATLY AND RE-ESTABLISH DOMINANCE OVER THE DOG the researcher adds.
In terms of Physical Punishment, Pérez-Guisado points out that "This Method Cannot Be Used With All dogs Given the Danger Involved, Although it Could Be Used to Re-Establish Dominance over puppies or small and Easy-to-Control dogs".
(WHEN ITS USED BY OWNERS, THIS IS THE REASON FOR THE WARNINGS ON CESAR'S PROGRAM, NOT BECAUSE THIS MAKE THE DOGS "AGGRESSIVE", WHEN IN FACT A SUBMISSIVE DOG IS LESS STRESSED)
However, "IT SHOULD NEVER BE USED AS JUSTIFICATION FOR TREATING A DOG BRUTALLY, since Physical Punishment Should Be Used More As a Way to Demonstrate the Dominance We Have Over the Dog Than to Inflict Great Suffering on the Animal", He States.
According to the Researcher, "DOGS THAT ARE TRAINED PROPERLY DO NOT NORMALLY RETAIN AGGRESSIVE DOMINACE BEHAVIOUR"". Pérez-Guisado Attributes this Exceptional Conduct to the Existence of Some Medical or Organic Problem, "Which Can Cause Changes in the Dog's Behaviour".
BUT OF COURSE!
And just 24 days latter the Empire Strikes Back (APDT Pigeons) with a "new study" Very, Very, Very Souspicious!
The Organization always seemed to know what was going on in your Congregation and Article Appeared Just at the Right Time ("FOOD AT THE PROPER TIME!). Why I'm NOT Surprised?...mmm!
We noted each time a wolf submitted posturally to another wolf. Usually this deference was characterized by "licking up" to the mouth of the Dominant animal in the "active submission" posture (Fig. 5 in Schenkel 1967), similar to that described by Darwin(1877) for domestic dogs. - D. Mech
In captive packs, the unacquainted wolves formed Dominance hierarchies featuring alpha, beta, omega animals, etc.
With such assemblages, these Dominance labels were probably appropriate, for most species thrown together in captivity would usually so Arrange Themselves. - D. Mech
Even Mech acept the Dominance Fact, why?
Maybe because, "Domestication means Domination," writes historian Yi-Fu Tuan in his book Dominance and Affection: The Making of Pets. "The two words have the same root sense of mastery over another being—of bringing it into one’s house or domain."
Domestication is the key difference between wolf and dog Dogs can be readily submissive to their owners, but show various degrees of aggression toward strangers or territorial interlopers. They form long-term bonds with humans, as they would often do in a pack or with mates, and show cooperative and altruistic behavior, sacrificing for humans just as they would for kin.
There is a Reason for Hierarchy, Dominance, Submision the Alpha Leaders and even like Ritual, the Alpha Roll
The communication of aggressive motivation or fighting ability has important fitness consequences for competing animals
Selection should favour rapid and honest communication between opponents to settle Dominance Relationships while Avoiding Prolonged and Intense Fighting.
Among many social species of animal, there have come to exist social Hierarchies in which certain individuals are more dominant than others.
As has already been said, the dog is an intensely social species and dominance is the mainspring of this way of life. Even centuries of selective breeding for domestic compatibility have hardly touched this basic element of canine behaviour. Dominance is about being in charge.
Being the dominant dog of a pack requires that the dog exercise certain homebase security responsibilities. In each case, aggression is the way in which the responsibility is exercised:
territorial aggression ensuring security of territory
protective aggression protecting other pack members
status aggression looking after No.1 status
In human society, the rules of dominance can vary from person to person, place to place. There is no such latitude in dog society. The rules of dominance are remarkably inflexible. Dominance behaviour determined by instinct tells dogs that they have to be either leaders (dominant) or followers (subordinate).
Owners who allow their dogs to take the initiative, set the activity agenda and in general call the shots, tend to find themselves having to cope with dominance problems. Dogs of all breeds, ages and sex, especially if they have a naturally pushy attitude, will try to assume dominant status over an owner they find they can manipulate. It is relatively common for owners to reinforce dominance in their dogs.
Some other important facts about dominance aggression are:
With a dominant dog, while everything is going to the dogís satisfaction, all is joy and happiness. However, the moment a dominant dog perceives a threat or challenge to its position and is offended, look out.
In most cases, dominance aggression is signalled first (cautionary warning) by threats and posture that are easily recognised. In extreme cases however, full-blown dominance aggression may be unleashed suddenly and apparently without warning.
Fear biting is another misunderstood form of dominance aggression.
Dominance aggression tends to be more common in males than in females.
Genetic factors have a prominent influence on dominance aggression especially in guarding type dogs which are selectively bred to act and look the part.
Owner behaviour is probably the most influential factor of all in the expression of dominance aggression.
The bottom line here is any dog with dominant status, be it permanent or temporary, cannot be trusted to behave safely; instinct tells this dog to use aggression to defend its status, its pack and its territory. If this dog is unleashed in a public place, it becomes a serious attack risk.
With such assemblages, these Dominance labels were probably appropriate, for most species thrown together in captivity would usually so Arrange Themselves. - D. Mech
Even Mech acept the Dominance Fact, why?
Maybe because, "Domestication means Domination," writes historian Yi-Fu Tuan in his book Dominance and Affection: The Making of Pets. "The two words have the same root sense of mastery over another being—of bringing it into one’s house or domain."
Domestication is the key difference between wolf and dog Dogs can be readily submissive to their owners, but show various degrees of aggression toward strangers or territorial interlopers. They form long-term bonds with humans, as they would often do in a pack or with mates, and show cooperative and altruistic behavior, sacrificing for humans just as they would for kin.
There is a Reason for Hierarchy, Dominance, Submision the Alpha Leaders and even like Ritual, the Alpha Roll
The communication of aggressive motivation or fighting ability has important fitness consequences for competing animals
Selection should favour rapid and honest communication between opponents to settle Dominance Relationships while Avoiding Prolonged and Intense Fighting.
Among many social species of animal, there have come to exist social Hierarchies in which certain individuals are more dominant than others.
As has already been said, the dog is an intensely social species and dominance is the mainspring of this way of life. Even centuries of selective breeding for domestic compatibility have hardly touched this basic element of canine behaviour. Dominance is about being in charge.
Being the dominant dog of a pack requires that the dog exercise certain homebase security responsibilities. In each case, aggression is the way in which the responsibility is exercised:
territorial aggression ensuring security of territory
protective aggression protecting other pack members
status aggression looking after No.1 status
In human society, the rules of dominance can vary from person to person, place to place. There is no such latitude in dog society. The rules of dominance are remarkably inflexible. Dominance behaviour determined by instinct tells dogs that they have to be either leaders (dominant) or followers (subordinate).
Owners who allow their dogs to take the initiative, set the activity agenda and in general call the shots, tend to find themselves having to cope with dominance problems. Dogs of all breeds, ages and sex, especially if they have a naturally pushy attitude, will try to assume dominant status over an owner they find they can manipulate. It is relatively common for owners to reinforce dominance in their dogs.
Some other important facts about dominance aggression are:
With a dominant dog, while everything is going to the dogís satisfaction, all is joy and happiness. However, the moment a dominant dog perceives a threat or challenge to its position and is offended, look out.
In most cases, dominance aggression is signalled first (cautionary warning) by threats and posture that are easily recognised. In extreme cases however, full-blown dominance aggression may be unleashed suddenly and apparently without warning.
Fear biting is another misunderstood form of dominance aggression.
Dominance aggression tends to be more common in males than in females.
Genetic factors have a prominent influence on dominance aggression especially in guarding type dogs which are selectively bred to act and look the part.
Owner behaviour is probably the most influential factor of all in the expression of dominance aggression.
The bottom line here is any dog with dominant status, be it permanent or temporary, cannot be trusted to behave safely; instinct tells this dog to use aggression to defend its status, its pack and its territory. If this dog is unleashed in a public place, it becomes a serious attack risk.