Dominant Dog Behavior: 5 Signs of a Dominant Dog

A dominant dog is a domestic dog that exhibits controlling and aggressive behavior, also known as dominance aggression, toward dog owners, family members, and other dogs. Dominant dog behavior is a holdover from their past when dogs were pack animals led by a pack leader, or alpha dog, that controlled the other pack members.

Dog owners become the pack leader when a dog joins their family, and they exert dominance over the family dog through counter-conditioning or obedience training methods. However, some dogs continue to exhibit dominant behavior after joining a family, which makes them a potential danger to others.

Dominance issues affect both male and female dogs, though it’s more common in male dogs. The first signs of aggression typically manifest in adult dogs between the ages of eighteen months and three years, though puppies and older dogs also act dominant. Behaviorists note that dog dominance is often due to one or more factors:

• Breed: All dog breeds exhibit dominant behavior, but some breeds generate more aggressive behavior problems than others. These include beagles, chihuahuas, Rottweilers, German shepherds, pit bulls, and Yorkie and Jack Russell terriers.
• Medical: Aggression may be a side effect of one or more health conditions. Aggressive dogs often suffer from chronic pain or brain problems that cause seizures or other traumas. Hypothyroidism, a condition that slows down metabolism, and low calcium levels also lead to dominant behavior.
• Training: In many cases, pet owners are the cause of a dog’s dominance aggression. Consistent dog training often eliminates aggressive behavior at an early age, but lack of socialization or failing to discipline dogs when they act aggressively toward people or other animals, especially those showing signs of submission like cowering, actually provides positive reinforcement to those unwanted behaviors.

A dog shows dominance in many different ways. Signs of dominance include:

1. 1. Body language: Aggressive body language is a common sign of dominance. A tense frame with a head held high and a high, stiff tail position are all examples of dominant canine body language. PIloerection or raised hackles—in which the hair raises along a dog’s back or across its shoulders like goosebumps—is also a sign of stress and possible aggression through dog body language.
2. 2. Facial expressions: Look at a dog’s face to see signs of aggression and dominance. A tight mouth or bared teeth are clear indicators, as is eye contact with a hard stare and visible whites in the dog’s eyes, which is often referred to as “whale eye.” Certain signs of an anxious dog—calming signals such as lip licking, drooling, or a need to urinate indoors—may also be a sign of fear that leads to aggression.
3. 3. Physical behavior: Dogs express dominant behavior through a variety of physical behaviors. Some may seem nonthreatening, such as obsessive licking or nudging your hand for petting, while others are more aggressive in nature, like leash pulling, lunging at people, guarding their dog food, or nipping at their owner’s feet.
4. 4. Vocalization: Understanding dog language—the sounds a dog makes—is the key to comprehending its emotional state. Snarling and excessive barking are obvious signs that a dog feels aggressive, but whines or high-pitched, scream-like yelps also indicate the dog’s desire to control attention.

There are several ways to train a dominant dog once you rule out health concerns as the cause. Among them are:

1. 1. Be consistent. Canine companions learn through repetition and positive reinforcement, which means that you need to set rules for acceptable behavior and bad behavior in your home and in public places, like on walks or at a dog park. Reinforce those rules on a regular basis and avoid changing them.
2. 2. Lead the pack. You are your dog’s pack leader, which means you should handle situations in a calm and decisive manner. Remove your dog from situations or stimuli that provoke aggressive responses. Anger or physically aggressive training techniques, like the alpha roll, rarely, if ever, correct dominant behavior: A relaxed dog is more willing to listen and learn than a fearful dog.
3. 3. Make the dog work. From a dominant dog’s perspective, it’s the top dog in your home. Correct that point of view through obedience training. Teach them to follow your commands before receiving rewards, praise, or affectionate gestures like belly rubs, and be consistent with this approach.
4. 4. Seek help. Some behavioral issues require additional assistance. Professional dog trainers can help you to understand canine communication and use behavior modification methods to undo the most difficult behavior problems.

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