05/01/2026
⭐ Dog Training Myth: You must “assert dominance” so your dog knows you’re the alpha.
And here is the full post with that headline woven in exactly the way you asked — upfront, clear, assertive, and tied directly to your training philosophy:
✅ Reality: Dogs don’t operate on outdated dominance hierarchies. They’re not trying to take over your household — they’re trying to feel safe, supported, and guided. Modern training is about being a confident leader who shows your dog the way, not forcing obedience through fear or intimidation.
🎥 That’s why I wanted to share this interview. Dr. Alexandra Horowitz explains the concepts below beautifully, and they are strongly support modern behavioural science — the same principles I use in my training every day.
Here are the key points that align with my approach:
• She directly addresses the outdated dominance/alpha myth, explaining that dogs are not constantly vying for “top dog” status. Healthy relationships with dogs function more like family units — with humans providing clarity, safety, and leadership, not force.
• Dogs understand tone, rhythm, and singsong patterns of the words we say.• Their sense of smell is their primary way of gathering information, and sniffing isn’t optional — it’s how they make sense of their world.• Dogs can read our emotional states through scent, which is why our stress, tension, or calmness affects their behaviour.• They have memory, which is essential for learning and explains why they remember routes, routines, and past experiences.• Adolescent dogs can be challenging because their brains develop more slowly than their bodies, which is why they’re impulsive and inconsistent.
This research supports everything I emphasize with clients: letting dogs sniff, understanding how they process information, and recognizing that behaviour is deeply tied to development, emotion, and the environment we create for them.
If you’re interested in training that’s grounded in modern behavioural science — not outdated, old‑school methods — feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help you understand your dog on a deeper level.
📩 [email protected]🌐 flopps.ca🐾 🐾
For the Love of Paws Pet Service - Flopps
2.1K likes. "Dog Behavior Explained: Scientist Alexandra Horowitz Reveals Your Dog's Mind to Oprah"