Is my puppy trying to dominate me?

Some dogs will exhibit dominance behaviors when they are young puppies, while others won’t exhibit dominance behaviors until they are fully grown. Some dogs’ dominance-related aggression can be challenging to stop, and it will take time, patience, and effort. Learn more about the most typical indications of dominant dog behavior here to determine whether you have a dominant pet.

What Is Conflict Aggression?

First-time puppy owners frequently experience conflict aggression, a type of aggressive behavior that may result from an incorrect understanding of canine communication. There are many different types of dog aggression, but conflict aggression is most common when a puppy is figuring out where it fits in with its new family, including with humans and other dogs. Food, toys, or a piece of furniture may be aggressively guarded as a symptom of the behavior. Punishing the puppy will only make this type of aggression worse, so alternative tactics must be used.

Causes of Conflict Aggression

Although the exact reason for conflict aggression isn’t always known, a few typical causes are as follows:

Hormones: Testosterone makes males dogs react more aggressively. During adolescence, male pups have a much higher testosterone level than they do once they reach adulthood. But, female dogs can act aggressively, too, thanks to hormone imbalances.

Misinterpretation: Behaviorists speculate that a first-time instinctive display of conflict aggression may arise from fear or disagreements that take place during play that gets out of control. It can also occur when a dog feels threatened near its toys or food bowl (by an older dog, for instance)—even if the other dog means no harm.

Idiopathic Aggression: Idiopathic means that a cause for the aggression cant be identified. This type of aggression is characterized by a dog that changes temperament quickly, from happy to aggressive. It may show signs of submission but still attacks with excessive aggression thats out-of-sync with the situation. Idiopathic aggression most often affects young dogs (under three years of age).

Treatment and Prevention

Although cases of dog aggression can be handled by professionals, diligent and patient owners can work to change aggressive behaviors by implementing the following strategies:

Identify and avoid triggers to prevent confrontations. If the dog protects toys, remove them from the general environment so the puppy has nothing to guard.

Don’t challenge the pup, and dont punish.

Require the pup to earn rewards with good behavior. Create interactions based on your request (e.g., “Sit!”) and the payment (the dog sits), which earns it the desired reward (treat/verbal praise). The dog should get nothing—treats or attention—unless it earns it by responding positively to your command.

Use happy words or phrases to change your puppys mood. For example, if the dog is growling or posturing, speak sweetly and see if its mood changes.

Confine a problem pup to a single room, an exercise pen, or a crate to better control its movements and access to trigger areas.

Neutering males can help.

Consult a veterinary behaviorist before having a female spayed because conflict-aggressive female dogs tend to get worse if theyre spayed.

FAQ

How do I know if my puppy is trying to dominate me?

1. Aggressive behaviors in response to verbal corrections.
2. Aggressive responses triggered by eye contact.
3. Attempts to herd other pets or humans using nipping.
4. Guarding behavior of toys or food.
5. Inappropriate mounting.
6. Resistance to commands.
7. Resistance to vacating sofas and beds.

What to do when your puppy tries to dominate you?

1. You Need to Be Even More Calm-Assertive.
2. Set Rules, Boundaries, and Limitations.
3. Don’t Force Affection.
4. Use Meal Time to Your Advantage.
5. Give Your Dog a Job.

How do you know if your puppy is Alpha?

• She should make a push to enter or exit doorways first.
• the best sleeping spot for yourself or nudging other dogs out of yours.
• Not give much attention to the other dogs.
• When you pay attention to the other dogs, you seem envious.
• Mount the other dogs.

Why is my dog trying to assert dominance over me?

Environmental Contributors to Dominant Dog Behavior Some pet owners give their dogs too much freedom at home, which can lead to the emergence of dominance aggression. Furthermore, dog owners who don’t correct their dogs when they act hostilely toward submissive animals risk unintentionally escalating dominant behaviors.