Experts now believe that ‘ dominance’ dog training methods do more harm than good.

Sit! The way Barbara Woodhouse trained dogs (above) could make them anxious .

Dr Rachel Casey, senior lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare, said: ‘In our referral clinic we very often see dogs which have learned to show aggression to avoid anticipated punishment.

‘Owners are often horrified when we explain that their dog is terrified of them and is showing aggression because of the techniques they have used. But it’s not their fault when they have been advised to do so, or watched unqualified “ behaviourists” recommending such techniques on TV.’

The team said that pinning a dog to the floor, grabbing its jowls or blasting hooters could make the animal anxious.

And having owners eat before their dog or go through doors first does not influence a dog’s perception of its relationship with the person, according to the study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour, Clinical Applications and Research.

Dr Casey said: ‘ The blanket assumption that every dog is motivated by some innate desire to control people and other dogs is frankly ridiculous.

‘It hugely underestimates the complex communicative and learning abilities of dogs.’

Dogs Trust veterinary director Chris Laurence added: ‘We can tell when a dog comes in to us which has been subjected to the “ dominance reduction technique” so beloved of TV dog trainers.

‘They can be very fearful, which can lead to aggression towards people. Sadly, many techniques used to teach a dog that his owner is leader of the pack are counter-productive.’
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