While most of this book has talked about gaining and holding respect from your dog and giving them a powerful leader to follow, this is not the only way to gain control of your dog. Recent studies have shown that dogs learn more from experience and behaviour than from dominance.

I want to make sure you understand that this book is not designed to teach you how to completely dominate your dog and you should never assume that your dog is trying to threaten your dominance every time they wet the rug or chew up a shoe.

However, being an alpha leader will help immensely in controlling these behaviours by giving the dog a leader to follow, reasons to avoid behaviors, and a clear path to approval from their pack.

If you establish dominance safely, without provoking your animal, show them that you are in charge but also part of the “we” that is their universe, and are consistent in training, the process will run smoothly and result in long term, positive effects.