[1] However, in the 2002 second edition of the book, the monks recanted and strongly discouraged the technique, describing it as "too risky and demanding for the average dog owner.
[3] The theory behind the alpha roll is based on a 1947 research study[4] which looked at the behavior of captive wolves.
These conditions resulted in increased numbers of conflicts that scientists today know are not typical of wolves living in the wild.
They recommend the alpha roll should never be used by inexperienced trainers, and never to correct undesired behavior caused by the dog's failure to understand a command.
[13] American Adjunct Professor of Zoology Patricia McConnell who is an expert in animal behaviour, wrote in her book The Other End of the Leash, “In some training and behavioural circles, all talk of dominance is classed as politically incorrect, and that these people are ardently opposed to anyone using the word in the context of dogs”.
[14] Portuguese animal behaviourist Roger Abrantes argues the reasons that many people have difficulty comprehending the theory of dominance are because the term is poorly defined and political correctness.