Official position2008
Why "alpha" thinking misleads modern training
AVSAB explains that dominance theory is widely misapplied in pet dog training and should not guide behavior modification. Coercive "pack leader" framings produce fear and fallout without addressing the underlying behavior.
“Dominance theory should not be used as a general guide for behavior modification.”
Source details
Source
AVSAB Position Statement on the Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals
AVSAB
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Evidence level
Official position
Credibility
Last reviewed
May 30, 2026
Why we included it
Foundational corrective for the alpha-pack rhetoric that still shows up in mainstream training advice.
Dominance mythWelfareAggression