Lecture Sources and Handouts

Alternatives to Being the "Alpha:" Better Ways to Interact with Dogs

Whatever Happened to the Term Alpha Wolf? - by wildlife research biologist L. David Mech
Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals
- Position statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Use of Punishment in Behavior Modification of Animals
- Position statement from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Bradshaw, J.W.S., Blackwell, E.J., & Casey, R.A. (2009). Dominance in domestic dogs-useful construct or bad habit? Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 4, 135-144.
Coppinger, R. & Coppinger L. (2001). Dogs: A New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior and Evolution. The University of Chicago Press.
Hiby, E.F., Rooney, N.J. & Bradshaw, J.W.S. (2004). Dog training methods: their use, effectiveness and interaction with behavior and welfare.
Mech, L.D. (1970). The Wolf: The Ecology and Behavior of an Endangered Species. Doubleday Publishing Co., N.Y.: Natural History Press.
Mech, L.D. (1999). Alpha status, dominance, and division of labor in wolf packs. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 77, 1196-1203
Mech, L.D. (2000) Leadership in Wolf, Canis lupus, Packs. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 114(2), 259-263.
Mech, L.D. (2001). Standing Over and Hugging in Wild Wolves, Canis lupus. Canadian Field-Naturalist, 115(1), 179-181.
Van Kerkhove, W. (2004). A Fresh Look at the Wolf-Pack Theory of Companion-Animal Dog Social Behavior. Journal od Applied Animal Welfare Science, 7(4), 279-285.