Dominant Dog Behaviours ( Signs of Dog Dominant Behavior)

Causes and Corrective Actions for Dominant Dog Behavior

Note: A dominant dog Behavior requires you focus on mental control rather than superior physical prowess — beware advice to “alpha roll” or use other force methods in attempts to reinforce your higher status as this may elicit aggression from a dominant dog Behavior that otherwise would never resort to biting.

 

Aggression

Some dogs experiment with aggression as part of dominant dog behavior to see if they can back someone away from their toys or food, stop the person putting them into their crate and in other situations, they want to control.

 

 

AGGRESSION Corrective Actions:

Work with a trainer to determine if aggression stems from dominance, fear/anxiety or in response to unfair rules and expectations. For dominance aggression, the trainer will work toward establishing you as the dominant figure over the dog through consistent rules, training, and games without dangerous physical confrontations.

 

Genetics

An experienced breeder or trainer can watch a litter of puppies and determine which puppies possess the most dominant personalities — true “alpha” dogs.

 

GENETICS Corrective Actions:

All dogs rank above or below other dogs in the normal “pack” system, meaning a dominant dog behavior may display superior rank over more submissive dogs at home or away through benign displays such as standing tall over another dog or through direct behaviours like mounting, shoving or potentially fighting.

 

Social Standing (Dogs)

All dogs rank above or below other dogs in the normal “pack” system, meaning a dominant dog behavior may display superior rank over more submissive dogs at home or away through benign displays such as standing tall over another dog or through direct dominant dog behavior like mounting, shoving or potentially fighting.

 

 

SOCIAL STANDING (DOGS) Corrective Actions:

Establish proper dominance ranking through adherence to strict rules by all family members, such as not allowing the dog an elevated position on the bed or furniture, insisting on a sit for dinner and other control exercises. Obedience train using positive methods that teach the dog what you expect and insist on compliance with commands. Always require your dominant dog behavior to earn treats, petting, play and other joys in life by obeying a simple known command to reinforce your alpha status.

 

Social Standing (Family)

Because every dog in the pack ranks above or below others, owners lacking leadership force their dog into the top ranking position, a role some dogs perform without conflict but others make clear through mounting legs, frequently shoving people and other dominant dog behavior. Because every dog in the pack ranks above or below others, owners lacking leadership force their dog into the top ranking position, a role some dogs perform without conflict but others make clear through mounting legs, frequently shoving people and other dominant dog behaviours.

 

SOCIAL STANDING (FAMILY) Corrective Actions: 

Hormones

A male around a female in season, or estrus, and females in the season may become pushier and more dominant than normal — dominant dog behavior that usually surfaces around other dogs more than humans, but can carry over to people.

 

 

HORMONES Corrective Actions:

Spaying females or neutering males prevents hormone-driven dominant dog behavior from becoming issues. Provide ample exercise to take the edge off of intact (non-sterilized) dogs, carefully supervising females to prevent accidental breeding. If dog marks in the house during this time, limit freedom until season subsides.