Great article which first appeared in the Veterinary Times Vol 40 No 7, 22nd February 2010 under the title "Dominance meme: out-lived extreme?"
Full version from the Association of pet behaviour counsellors website here:
The Dominance Meme...Why??

I usually always end my posts with the words 'hope this helps' (HTH) never have I meant it so much as now...

A very good article,but sadly the people who need to read it probably won't as they refuse to believe their idol could possibly be wrong.

Good one, have bookmarked it!

Nice one.... have added to favourites. Something to go in puppy packs i think

> Something to go in puppy packs i think

<- really need a little smiley giving a thumbs up!!

What an excellent article.

Excellent article

I just wish that there was a replacement word, or phrase, that could encapsulate the true facts in the way that 'Dominance' described the old nonsense.  I'm sure that more than half the reason it still persists is that it's an easy word to understand - and one could 'fake' some kind of knowledge just by using it !

I hope this article now gets quoted on CD as much as 'The Bite Stops Here' - another very good one for the archives.  Thanks HG

I think the closest are 'leadership' and 'teamwork'.

Once again, HG you are the source of an excellent item of information/argument .....and another who would put it in puppy packs (were we ever to breed again).  

But I've bookmarked it - and intend to hand it out to all and sundry!

Margot x

It's why I tend to use Hierarchy, as there definitely is one even if ti shifts according to situation.

Also those of us who have canine families with generations of dogs, then the family structure does exist to some extent.

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons - Advisory Committee- Statement on punitive dog training - Jan 26th 2010

extract (from the above):

>Leading animal welfare, behaviour and veterinary organisations are warning<
>of the dangers of using techniques for training dogs that can cause pain and<
>fear, such as some of those seen used by 'the dog whisperer' Cesar Millan,<
>who has announced a UK tour next year.<
>Charities including the RSPCA, The Blue Cross, (Dogs Trust), Wood Green,<
>WSPA...... have joined forces with the Kennel Club, veterinary organisations,<
>such as BSAVA, BVA, ESVCE, ECVBM-CA........., and behaviour and<
>training organisations, such as the APBC and APDT, to voice their serious<
>concerns about techniques which pose a serious welfare concern for dogs<
>and significant risk to owners who may copy them.<

N.B When reading the link the second page is blank so keep scrolling to get to the body of the article
Included in the paper are some great links and evidential research papers!

Interesting read thanks.

> 'hope this helps' (HTH) I always wondered what this stood for too!

I usually refer to this as group dynamics.

> N.B When reading the link the second page is blank so keep scrolling to get to the body of the article
> Included in the paper are some great links and evidential research papers!

Those links are interesting, as it clarifies that the RCVS sees in the video clips, what most of us have. I've observed many CM fans stating that in their opinion the dog is not being hung/choked/whatever and is not showing fear/pain etc.
If the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons can see it and believes it is so, that's a definitive and professional interpretation and somewhat difficult to argue against.

I like to use 'guide'. Feels right.