Is my dog dominant?

Training by Tara

512-402-4229

myheart4k9s@aol.com

www.trainingbytara.com

 

  Many of my clients ask me on a daily basis, if their dog is “dominant”.  In most cases the clients see their dog’s misbehavior as dominance, when in fact; they are acting purely on instinct or learned behavior (from humans).

 

  Dominance is usually not seen until 15 months.  Some pups are genetically dominant and some develop it earlier, because they were taken away from their mom too young.  Most owners and trainers alike, misread prey drive for dominance in young pups.  Another misconception is that dominance can be trained away, thus curing the dominance “illness”.  This is far from true.  Dominance is a personality trait that stays with your dog.  This is not an awful thing if it is managed and controlled properly.  By this, I do not mean making the dog fear you.   My definition (of manage and control) is to have rules and boundaries that your dog must follow on a daily basis.  This is accomplished by starting foundation training, also referred to as groundwork training (GWT) and proper pack mentality with your dog.  Too many people forget dogs are pack animals and instinctually follow a pack order and rule. Without a strong pack leader, you can’t have a strong pack and this is where anxiety and aggression starts to rear its ugly head.  A dog’s first priority is to survive; they cannot do this with out a strong pack leader.

 

   Just about all the clients who contact me regarding aggression issues start off by telling me they have established the “alpha” position. This is a very loose term people have developed over the years.  Let me start by telling you, if your dog shows aggression to anyone or anything, you are not the leader of your pack. ONLY the leader shows aggression and says when it is ok to show aggression.  An “alpha” does not need to challenge their pack members on a daily basis (staring them down), nor do they need to use aggression to keep their status (alpha rolling your dog or spanking them). A true alpha merely needs to use body language and attitude to have the pack listen. An alpha is always calm and assertive, not angry and demanding. There is no need for an alpha to fight, they are already confident in their position.

 

  Most clients with more then one dog often get confused as to which is the “alpha” of the pack.  Countless consults have started for one dog in particular and upon asking questions and observing behaviors, the dog they think is the “golden” child, is actually the problem child. 

 

  Here are a few misconceptions humans have about dominant dogs:

 

1. My dog sleeps in bed with me because he loves me. Growling at my spouse or sleeping between us just shows how much he loves me.
2. My dog paws at me, leans on me, or jumps on me because he loves to be affectionate.
3. My dog is protecting me when he growls at family members who get too close to me.
4. When my dog growls over food or toys, he is just being a dog and it is his stuff
5. My dog just loves to go for walks so much that he has to be the first one out!
6. Rushing down the stairs is just a game to him.
7. He just doesn’t like other dogs, not everyone likes all people.
8. My dog isn’t very bright.  It takes 3-4 times before he will down or sit on command, if he even does.
9. He only growls at “certain” people.  I think he senses something about them.
10. He only sits on the back of the couch to be closer to me or he thinks he is a cat.

 

  I have heard all of these in my 20 years of working with aggression cases. Every one of the above incidents clearly describes a dominant dog.  We have humanized our dogs so much that we actually make excuses for aggression and bad manners.  It is our nature to want to coddle and over-love our pets; but to your dog it is yet another sign that you are not a strong leader. 

 

  Now let me describe the same 10 things in dog language:

1. The leader of the pack gets the best sleeping area (which includes height) and there are only 2 leaders (generally male & female).
2. Dogs display dominance by body checking other dogs. He who gets that space owns that space.  Pawing at an owner is demanding attention, not asking.  Jumping on an owner pushes them from their space, again “my spot”.
3. Dogs claim their “territory” or mates by warding off other pack members.
4. Dogs show resource guarding when they are confident in their leader status. “I own this.  I tell you when you can have it.”
5. I have an old saying, “whoever is in the lead, is the leader”. Dogs rush out the door first, so they can control the environment that you are entering.
6. Again, “whoever is in the lead” is the leader.  Pack members must follow their leader.  Rushing down the stairs first is another way of doing showing leadership.
7. Dog-dog aggression is the most common sign of dominance.  Strange dogs are never allowed into a pack.  This challenges their leadership.
8. Not listening to commands is not a lack of intelligence, but a sign of strength of leadership to your dog (if they were taught the command properly). In your dog’s mind, ”Who are you to tell me what to do?  I am the leader here.”
9. Only the leader is allowed to show or direct aggression.  Those “certain” people may carry themselves confidently. This is not allowed.  It is a challenge.
10. Dogs will seek “higher” ground to display their leadership.  Leaders are always above the pack.

  Now, there are many other signs as well but I think you get the picture.  If you have a dominant dog, I strongly suggest some foundation training along with obedience.  Foundation training will get you started in re-establishing yourself as the leader and laying down some rules and boundaries. Obedience comes after your dog knows you are in control. 

 

Why obedience if your dog now sees you as the leader?  You cannot expect your dog to know what sit, stay, down, come, and leave it means without properly being taught these commands. Dogs are not born with the knowledge of how to perform these commands.  It would be unfair to get angry at your dog if they don’t “down” when you never taught them what it means.

Be calm, fair, and assertive. Your dog will be calm, happy, and obedient.

 Tara, Brandie & the “pack