You've probably heard that wolf packs are led by an alpha, a dominant male who fought his way to the top.

You've probably also heard that you should train your dog the same way, and maybe even live your life that way.

What you probably haven't heard is that the scientist behind the idea says he got it wrong.

Today on Skeptoid, The Myth of the Alpha Wolf.

And in our extended content for premium members, how one of the most popular techniques

in Dominance Submission Dog Training came from a monastery.

That's coming up next on Skeptoid.

Hi. Monastery. That's coming up next on Skeptoid.

Hi, I'm Alex Goldman. You may know me as the host of Reply All, but I'm done with that.

I'm doing something else now. I've started a new podcast called Hyperfixed. On every episode of Hyperfixed, listeners write in with their problems,

and I try to solve them, some massive and life-altering, and some so minuscule it'll

boggle your mind. No matter the problem, no matter the size, I'm here for you. That's Hyperfixed,

the new podcast from Radiotopia. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts or at hyperfixedpod.com.

You're listening to Skeptoid.

I'm Ashley Hamer Pritchard from Skeptoid.com.

The Myth of the Alpha Wolf.

This episode was sponsored by Sue Fries. To personally sponsor your own episode, come to sceptoid.com slash sponsor. Welcome to the show that separates fact from fiction, science

from pseudoscience, real history from fake history, and helps us all make better life decisions by knowing what's real

and what's not. If you've spent any time on the internet, you've encountered the concept of the

alpha male, the idea that in any social group, one dominant individual rises to the top through

strength, aggression, and sheer force of will.

It's the backbone of a massive online industry of self-help gurus and masculinity influencers.

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