Pet Behavior & Training Tips
Dominant, Assertive Dogs: What You Should Know
What is "dominance"?
- Animals who live in social groups, including domestic dogs and wolves, establish a social structure called a dominance hierarchy within their group. The purpose of this hierarchy is to maintain order, reduce conflict, and promote cooperation among group members. The more dominant animals in the group can secure access to valued items; for domestic dogs, valued items might be food, toys, resting places, or attention from their owner.
- By understanding canine social systems, it's best that the humans in the household assume the highest positions in the dominance hierarchy in order for the home to be a safe and happy place for both humans and their pets. Be aware if your dog begins to challenge you for dominance. Don't be fooled; a dominant dog may still be very affectionate, but that same dog will also be capable of exhibiting undesirable behaviors such as aggression if the dominance is not dealt with appropriately.
How to tell if your dog is being dominant:
- He resists obeying commands that he knows well
- He growls, bares his teeth, or snaps at you
- He won't move out of your way when necessary
- He defends his food bowl and other objects from you
- He won't let anyone give him medication or handle him
- He gets up on furniture without permission and won't get down
- He orders YOU to obey him by nudging your hand or taking your hand in his mouth, insisting on being petted or played with
What should you do if your dog is exhibiting dominant behavior?
- Immediately consult an animal behavior specialist. It is important that no physical punishment be used.
- Consider safety first!
- An animal behavior specialist should always supervise treatment of dominance aggression problems, since these dogs can be potentially dangerous. Also, check with your veterinarian. He may prescribe medication or help you diagnose and manage the dominance issues with your dog.
How to discourage dominance in your dog:
- Spay or neuter your dog to reduce any hormonal contributions to aggression.
- Have him earn attention and rewards. Have your dog obey at least one command before allowing him any privileges such as petting, food, or toys.
- Don't encourage behaviors that allow him to exert his dominance over you, such as tug-of-war games, feeding him from the table, responding to his begging, and always ignore barking and jumping up.
- Maintain control over areas of the household. Don't allow the dog on furniture or your bed; this privilege is reserved for leaders. Crate your dog to control access to the entire house.