The Flawed Alpha Wolf Theory

I wonder who decided that, in order to have a successful human-to-dog relationship, we need to mimic the relationships demonstrated by wolves?

The reason I bring this up is because an entire belief system and methodology of dog training and behaviour was built on top of the "Alpha Wolf" theory whereby, much like in a wolf pack, the social order of our human family must be maintained through (often physically) demonstrating our 'alpha' status and dominance over our dogs in order to keep them subservient and in line.

For decades that was certainly the popular belief - but guess what?

Over fifteen years ago the alpha/dominance theory attached to natural wolf social hierarchies was proven to be flawed and invalid. Not only that, but the type of social framework demonstrated by wolves in their natural environment is very similar to the leader/follower order in human families.

If this is the case (and it is), then why do so many dog trainers and other professionals within the canine industry continue to promote and apply the alpha/dominance theory to dogs and canine behaviour in general? If the original theory is wrong, then how can the training methods based on those theories be right?

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