The alpha dog myth is based on outdated science

I often get calls from dog guardians who are genuinely worried that their dog is trying to “take over” the household. They’ll describe situations in which the dog won’t let them on the bed or sofa. Almost always, the conclusion is the same: “They’re trying to be the alpha.”
It’s an understandable assumption, but it’s also one that’s rooted in outdated science.
The idea of the “alpha dog” comes from a long-standing myth about