How to Know if My Dog Is Dominant

It's fairly common for owners to talk about their dogs in terms of dominance or submission. They also talk about hierarchy and the need to assert themselves to make the dog understand who's in charge.

But is it accurate to talk about dominant dogs who need correcting? Below we explain why you need to be careful with this terminology, what dominance in dogs actually involves, and what its characteristics are.

The Alpha Male

Even though the very creator of this term, Dr David Mech, has stopped using it, understanding it to be mistaken, this concept is still very present in the dog world. Not only do owners use it, but it's still heard from professionals in canine training and obedience. But it's a mistake.

The term "alpha male" comes from wolf packs, used to designate the leader. The alpha would be the boss, the one making the decisions and taking every advantage. For example, they'd eat and mate first. The rest of the pack members would be their subordinates, and could only be overthrown by the arrival of a stronger individual.

This idea, transferred to the domestic dog world, is what leads owners to try to become the pack leader, hunting down and suppressing any sign of dominance in the dog to let them know who's in charge. But dogs aren't wolves, nor do they see us as equals. Following this idea will make day-to-day life together harder.

Canine Dominance

Those who believe the alpha male theory interpret a great many canine behaviours as attempts to dominate their owners. For example, pulling on the lead, getting on the sofa and so on. Because of this they want to suppress these behaviours with the goal of coming out above the dog. But since no such dominance exists, all that's achieved is punishing the dog senselessly.

This seriously harms the bond with the owner. Nowadays it's known that dogs in our homes don't behave like wolves, and what's more, they're perfectly clear that we're not the same species as them. We are indeed their reference point, their guide, and the bond isn't built on dominance, but rather on cooperation.

This makes sense, because they can't compete with us for resources. That's why any training attempt based on force will not only fail, but will be counterproductive and dangerous. Of course dogs need rules for living together, but these are conveyed through positive training, reinforcing desirable behaviours.

Does Dominance Exist in Dogs?

But the fact that our dog has not the slightest intention of dominating us doesn't mean we can't detect signs of dominance and submission between them in their relationships with their own kind. It's a form of communication that lets them interact without needing to resort to violence. An attack is no longer dominance, but aggression.

The dog showing dominant behaviour in a situation ends up positioned as the winner over the one showing submission, thereby accepting the outcome of the interaction. But these roles can change, and a dog can show themselves as dominant or submissive depending on the situation they're in.

As the social, sociable animals they are, showing this kind of behaviour helps them fit into the group, building relationships that keep it harmonious. It's about preserving social peace, preventing aggression, since that's most beneficial for everyone. So far there's no data confirming humans are part of this canine system.

How Do I Know if My Dog Is Dominant? Characteristics

A dog isn't dominant or submissive as such — dominance or submission is established in relation to other dogs, and the same dog can show signs of dominance or submission depending on the circumstances. And never forget dominance isn't aggression. If your dog shows aggression, you need to contact a canine behaviour professional.

These dogs, even when showing behaviours classed as dominant, have little to do with the image linked to the alpha male, since, rather than leadership, they convey fear and insecurity. This situation is what can end in aggression, not dominance, hence the importance of telling these concepts apart. Dominant behaviours are communication.

We can identify some of these behaviours, which aren't negative, by watching our dog interact with their own kind both at home and when meeting them on the street. They warn the other not to cross the line, and expect a submissive response. Examples include:

1. Defending resources such as food, spaces or toys.
2. Placing their head over the other dog's withers.
3. Baring their teeth at them.
4. Gripping their muzzle with their mouth.
5. Keeping hold of resources — for example, if they arrive, the others give up their spot.
6. Holding eye contact.
7. Raising their head, tail and ears.
8. Raising the fur on their back.

Bibliography Eaton, Barry. 2013. Dominancia ¿Realidad o ficción? Santiago de Compostela. KNS Ediciones. AVEPA Clinical Ethology Specialty Group. https://gretca.com/wordpress/ Morris, Desmond. 1988. Observe a su perro. Barcelona. Plaza & Janés.