When it comes to training our beloved pets, we all want to do what is best for them. And as dog owners, it’s our job to ensure our pets are well-trained, happy and healthy. One controversial technique that has become increasingly popular among dog trainers is pinning dogs down. This technique involves the owner physically restraining their pet by pressing them down on their side or back. While this method is effective in some cases, it has caused concern among many dog owners as to whether this action can be harmful to the pet’s wellbeing. In this blog post, we will be exploring the technique of pinning your dog down, discussing the pros and cons, and ultimately deciding whether this is a bad thing for your beloved canine friend.
They May Appear Similar, But Dogs Are Not Wolves
A Swiss animal behaviorist named Rudolph Schenkel studied the behavior of wolves in captivity during the 1930s and 1940s, and his research served as the foundation for the dominance theory. Schenkel deduced from his observations that wolves were constantly competing to outrank one another in the social hierarchy of the pack. The dominant wolf, known as the “alpha,” who aggressively restrained the others and demanded the most respect, emerged as the winner.
The issue is that wolves in captivity exhibit behavior that is very dissimilar from wolves in the wild. Wild wolf packs typically include a mating pair and their young, but they may also contain two or three additional wolf families. There is very little aggression within the pack because it cooperates to hunt and take care of the young instead of engaging in competition. Like human children, when young wolves mature, they eventually leave the pack to start their own families.
Wolves in captivity behave very differently. Adult wolves go through a lot of stress when they are compelled to coexist for years on end without being able to separate from one another. Some of the strongest wolves turn into “bullies” who act aggressively to maintain the group hierarchy as a result of the tension and competition over resources.
Sadly, the outcomes of this study were then used to improve domesticated dogs. But here’s the thing: dogs are not wolves. They are, in fact, quite different species. The findings of Schenkel’s studies were ultimately refuted, but by that time, the dominance theory in dogs had gained widespread acceptance.
Dominance-based training is based on a single, straightforward principle: control your dog before he has a chance to control you. Because all dogs spend their days merely searching for human weaknesses, they can either psychologically manipulate us and mess with our minds, engage in telepathic mind control, or steal our car keys.
Let’s think this through for a minute. We give our dogs food, a warm, safe place to live, medical care, toys, playtime, walks outside, mental stimulation, and (hopefully) all the love they can handle. What more could they take that they don’t already have? Dogs and humans get along so well because we don’t compete with them for social status, and they are aware of this.
Unfortunately, the misguided behavior modification strategies used in dominance-based training to stop dogs from establishing their superiority over humans typically involve the use of punishment, intimidation, and fear, which is the exact opposite of what dogs actually require to be happy, healthy, well-behaved, and well-adjusted companions.
These “training” techniques include the use of:
Unfortunately, most behavioral issues in dogs result from insecurity, fear, and a need for safety and comfort rather than an effort to dominate and dominate us. Alpha rolls and muzzle grabs are ineffective at convincing our dogs that we are in charge. Instead, they only serve to increase our aggression, lack of control, and unreliability, which adds to the anxiety our dogs already feel.
According to studies, dogs who are pinned to the ground on their sides or backs as punishment release a sudden surge of the stress hormone cortisol. When this occurs, the amygdala in the dog’s brain activates, preparing it for either fight or flight. The amygdala is activated when the brain is solely concerned with survival, which immediately silences all other rational thought, including the capacity for learning.
When this occurs, the dog may literally shut down because of his anxiety or fear. In the videos you see of dogs appearing to submit or to be calm while being held on their sides, the dogs are anything but calm. Actually, they freeze in anticipation of the threat dissipating because they are so insecure, enraged, or afraid. The reason why so many trainers and dog owners who attempt to use this training method end up getting bitten is because if they are repeatedly pushed past this point, they can lash out and bite.
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For those who are unfamiliar, alpha rolling is the practice of turning a dog onto his side or back and holding him there until he is compelled to submit. Declaring “who’s boss” and getting the dog to enter what the media has dubbed “calm submission” are the goals. It is risky and based on a faulty comprehension of how dogs function.
What you think alpha rolling does to your dog
You probably think that your dog needs to be told who is in charge and that the best way to do that is through an alpha roll because you read a dated book or watched the more recent “Dog Whisperer” by Cesar Millan. You will be recognized as the “pack leader” in your mind (and I don’t blame you), and the dog will be content knowing where it belongs in the “pack hierarchy” as a result.
FAQ
Should I ever pin my dog?
Does pinning my dog to the floor help train her? Pinning your dog to the floor won’t teach her anything but fear of you, and it will make you appear unreliable in her eyes. She will be more likely to act aggressively in the future when she is scared, and she might even aim it at you.
How do I establish dominance over my dog?
Additionally, there are a few more modest things you can do to project your authority and behave like an Alpha. It’s sufficient to refrain from walking around your dog. Make your dog move if they are blocking the hallway. Simply shuffle your feet or make some noise to signal that you are attempting to pass.
How do you humanely punish a dog?
- Time-outs.
- putting an end to undesirable behavior with your voice rather than hitting your dog
- Taking their toys away.
- Avoiding giving your dog attention when they misbehave.
Is it cruel to tie a dog up?
Tethering increases the risk of serious dog bites and attacks, which is bad for dogs as well. Dogs that are unable to flee from actual or imagined danger may become aggressive when approached. Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive.