Why I Stopped Using the "Alpha Roll" (And What Actually Works Better)

Hi there,

Remember those dramatic scenes from Cesar Millan’s show? A dog acts up, gets flipped onto its back, and magically submits to human authority?

I used to be a true believer. When I got my first puppy, I faithfully practiced the alpha roll technique I’d seen on TV. It seemed to work like magic at first, and I became such a fan that I taught it to dozens of my early customers.

But here’s my confession: I haven’t used an alpha roll in over a decade.

Why did I completely abandon a technique I once swore by?

1. It creates unnecessary stress for your dog
2. It significantly increases your risk of being bitten
3. Its effectiveness wears off quickly (then what?)
4. Most importantly: I discovered something that works WAY better

You might be skeptical about what could possibly work better than showing your dog “who’s boss.” I was too! But after years of trial and error with thousands of dogs, I’ve found a solution that’s:

• 100x more effective 
• Faster at creating lasting change
• Actually fun for both you and your dog

The surprising alternative? Structured play.

Wait—play with my dog when they’re being naughty? Not exactly.

What I’m talking about is scheduled, structured play once daily for at least 5 minutes. By adding simple rules to playtime (the time when your dog is most motivated), you prevent 99% of the situations where you might think you need to alpha roll your dog.

Here’s my challenge to you: Try it for 7 days straight.

• 5-10 minutes of your dog’s favorite game daily
• Add simple rules like “drop it,” “sit,” and “stay” during play
• Be consistent with the rules (this is key!)

Don’t believe it’ll work? Call me if you have to alpha roll your dog on day 7. I’ll give you a free training session if your dog proves me wrong.

The beauty of this approach is its simplicity!  But I’ll be honest—figuring out the right system took me years of trial and error. Our Marvelous Mutt program turns those years of learning into weeks of results for you and your dog.

If you want guidance on exactly how to implement play with rules (it’s deceptively simple but incredibly powerful), I’m happy to help.

Let’s leave outdated and stressful training methods in the past where they belong.

Your partner in modern, effective dog training,

Ryan

P.S. Enroll your dog in our Marvelous Mutt program today