| Alpha Roll
Here is what the Monks of New Skete say about the alpha roll in How to be Your Dog's Best Friend, Completely Revised and Updated, which I am currently reading:
"In the original edition of this book, we recommended a technique termed "the alpha-wolf rollover" to be used in conjunction with one of the disciplinary procedures already described" (they then go on to describe it) "We no longer recommend this technique" (italics are theirs, in the book) "and strongly discourage its use to our clients. Though it can be argued that has a natural basis in pack life, in a dog-human context it is potentially very dangerous and can set up the owner for a serious bite in the face (or worse), particularly with a dominant dog. The conditions in which it might be used effectively are simply too risky and demanding for the average dog owner; there are other ways of dealing with problem behaviour that are much safer and, in the long run, just as effective." They then go on to restate things in shorter form.
In short - even those who were among the most vocal proponents of this method now strongly recommend against it.  |