Despite the fact that recent studies have reevaluated hierarchy models and have modified our understanding of behavior in the wild wolf, the concept of a hierarchal relationship among dogs and humans continues to be perpetuated. To ensure a well functioning family group, a family needs to know more about canine behavior than outdated strategies focusing on pack structure. In fact recent research has clearly indicated that the longstanding theory which maintained that alpha wolves control through aggression and relentless management is more myth than fact. These theories have been refuted by wolf biologists and if this theory is no longer considered true for wolves, then how can it be considered true for our dogs? New research on canine learning patterns indicates dogs understand us far better than we understand them.
Have you ever wondered if your furry best friend is secretly plotting to become the boss of your household? Well, you might not be imagining things! Dogs naturally have hierarchical instincts from their pack animal ancestry, and sometimes they try to climb the social ladder – with you as the stepping stone.
In this article, I’ll break down exactly how dogs show dominance to humans, why they do it, and most importantly – what you can do to establish yourself as the true pack leader (without being harsh or aggressive).
Understanding Canine Dominance: What It Really Means
Before we dive into the signs let’s clear something up dominance in dogs isn’t about your pup being “mean” or “bad.” It’s a natural behavior rooted in their evolutionary history as pack animals.
Canine dominance refers to the hierarchical relationship within a social group where one dog (or in our case, a human) asserts control or influence over another. In the wild, wolf packs establish clear leadership roles for stability and survival. Despite thousands of years of domestication, these instincts remain hardwired in our pets.
A dominant dog isn’t necessarily aggressive, though aggression can be one manifestation of dominance behavior. Many dominant behaviors are actually quite subtle and easy to miss if you don’t know what to look for.
7 Clear Signs Your Dog Is Showing Dominance Over You
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how dogs try to establish themselves as the alpha in your human-dog relationship
1. Resource Guarding
One of the most common signs of dominance is when your dog becomes protective of their resources – food, toys, sleeping areas or even you! If your pup growls snaps, or stiffens when you approach their food bowl or favorite toy, they’re essentially saying, “This is MINE, and I’m in charge of it.”
Resource guarding can range from mild (slight stiffening when you approach) to severe (lunging or biting). This behavior indicates your dog feels entitled to control access to valuable items.
2. Pushing Boundaries and Testing Limits
Does your dog ignore your commands? Do they push past you through doorways? Jump on furniture when they know they’re not allowed? These behaviors are classic boundary-testing tactics.
A dominant dog will consistently challenge rules to see what they can get away with. They’re essentially asking, “Who’s really making the decisions around here?” each time they ignore your “off” command.
3. Demanding Attention
When your dog constantly paws at you, barks for attention, or nudges you for pets, they might actually be asserting dominance. By controlling when and how interactions happen, they’re trying to establish themselves as the decision-maker.
Attention-seeking behavior isn’t just annoying – it can be a sign your pup thinks they get to decide when social interaction occurs, not you.
4. Physical Positioning and Body Language
Pay attention to how your dog positions themselves around you. Dominant dogs often:
- Place their paws or head on your shoulder or lap
- Stand tall with ears forward and tail held high
- Block doorways or pathways
- Maintain direct, unwavering eye contact
- Mount people or other pets (not just sexual behavior – it’s about dominance!)
These postures are subtle ways your dog communicates “I’m in charge here” to you and others in the household.
5. Refusing Handling
Does your dog pull away when you try to examine their paws, ears, or teeth? Do they growl when you attempt to move them off furniture? Resistance to handling is a clear sign your dog believes they outrank you.
A well-adjusted dog who recognizes you as the leader will allow reasonable handling, even if they don’t particularly enjoy it.
6. Leash Aggression or Pulling
If walks feel more like you’re being dragged behind a sled dog team than enjoying quality time together, your dog is likely asserting dominance. By pulling ahead and determining the route and pace, they’re making it clear who they think is leading this expedition (hint: not you).
7. Aggressive Responses to Correction
When you attempt to correct unwanted behavior, does your dog growl, snap, or stare you down? These aggressive responses to your leadership are serious signs that your dog is challenging your authority.
Even subtle responses like turning away or ignoring corrections indicate your pup doesn’t fully accept your leadership position.
Why Dogs Develop Dominant Behaviors
Understanding why your dog might be showing these behaviors can help you address the root causes:
Lack of Clear Leadership
Dogs crave structure and clear rules. When leadership is inconsistent or weak, many dogs will naturally step up to fill what they perceive as a power vacuum. They’re not being malicious – they’re responding to what feels like an unstable hierarchy.
Insufficient Socialization
Dogs that weren’t properly socialized as puppies may not have learned appropriate ways to interact with humans and other dogs. This can lead to dominance issues stemming from social awkwardness rather than a true desire to control.
Reinforced Behaviors
Sometimes we accidentally reward dominant behaviors without realizing it. If you give attention (even negative attention) to pushy behaviors, your dog learns these tactics work to get what they want.
Breed Tendencies
Certain breeds were historically developed for independent thinking and leadership roles. Breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and many terriers may be more prone to dominance behaviors due to their genetic heritage.
Age and Maturity
Many dogs begin testing boundaries as they reach adolescence (around 6-18 months). This is similar to teenage rebellion in humans and requires consistent leadership to navigate successfully.
How to Address Dominance Behaviors (Without Being Mean)
Now for the good part – how to fix this situation and restore proper balance to your relationship:
1. Establish Clear, Consistent Rules
Dogs thrive with clear boundaries. Decide what behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t, then enforce these rules consistently. Everyone in the household must apply the same standards – mixed messages will confuse your dog and undermine your authority.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement Training
Contrary to outdated beliefs, you don’t need to use force or intimidation to establish leadership. Positive reinforcement training is far more effective:
- Reward desired behaviors with treats, praise, and affection
- Ignore or redirect unwanted behaviors
- Practice obedience commands daily
- Make your dog work for rewards (sit before meals, wait at doors)
3. Control Resources
As the leader, you should control access to valuable resources:
- Feed your dog on a schedule rather than free-feeding
- Put toys away when not in supervised play
- Make your dog sit and wait before receiving food, treats, or toys
- Require calm behavior before granting attention
4. Practice the “Nothing in Life is Free” Method
This training philosophy requires your dog to perform a desired behavior before receiving anything they want. Before meals, playtime, walks, or attention, ask for a simple command like “sit” or “down.” This reinforces that good things come through you, not by demanding them.
5. Address Resource Guarding Safely
Resource guarding requires careful management:
- Never punish growling (it’s a warning signal – suppressing it may lead to biting without warning)
- Trade up: offer something better than what they’re guarding
- Practice approaching their food bowl and adding high-value treats
- Consult a professional for severe cases
6. Provide Sufficient Exercise and Mental Stimulation
A tired dog is a well-behaved dog! Many dominance behaviors stem from excess energy or boredom:
- Ensure daily physical exercise appropriate for your dog’s breed and age
- Incorporate training into play sessions
- Use puzzle toys and snuffle mats to provide mental challenges
- Consider doggy daycare or playdates for social stimulation
7. Seek Professional Help When Needed
If dominance behaviors include aggression or you’re struggling to make progress, don’t hesitate to consult professionals:
- Certified dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods
- Veterinary behaviorists who can rule out medical causes
- Dog behavior consultants experienced with dominance issues
When Dominance Might Signal Other Issues
Sometimes what looks like dominance actually stems from other problems:
Medical Conditions
Pain, thyroid issues, neurological problems, or sensory decline can cause behaviors that mimic dominance. Always rule out medical causes, especially if dominance behaviors appear suddenly in a previously well-behaved dog.
Fear and Anxiety
Many “dominant” behaviors actually stem from fear or anxiety. A dog who growls when approached may be scared, not assertive. Look for other anxiety signs like trembling, whale eye (showing whites of eyes), or avoidance behaviors.
Separation Anxiety
Dogs with separation anxiety may exhibit controlling behaviors to prevent being left alone. Address the underlying anxiety rather than just the dominance behaviors.
Final Thoughts: Leadership Without Dominance
The most important thing to remember is that being a leader to your dog doesn’t mean being domineering or harsh. True leadership is about providing guidance, structure, and security.
The best human-dog relationships are partnerships built on mutual respect and clear communication. Your dog should follow your lead not because they fear you, but because they trust you to make good decisions for the “pack.”
By recognizing signs of dominance early and addressing them with consistent, positive methods, you’ll build a stronger bond with your canine companion and enjoy a more harmonious household.
Have you noticed any of these dominance behaviors in your dog? What techniques have worked for you in establishing leadership? We’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. If you’re struggling with serious dominance issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional trainer or behaviorist for personalized guidance.
Aren’t dogs just trying to be in charge?
Dominance hierarchy based training methods assume dogs are committed to a battle of supremacy and constant challenge with family members. This premise is incorrect and not supported by scientific study. Trainers advising families to take charge of the pack by eating first, walking through doors first, occupying a higher position and worst of all, pinning the dogs into submission are ignoring the current scientific research and subjecting the dog to unnecessary and sometimes cruel training methods. In reality, dogs have an intra-species relationship and a pattern of behaviors with their human family members that are driven by a variety of motivations, including: genetics, socialization, available resources, fear, conflicts, learning, behavioral pathology and disease. Furthermore, application of scientifically based principles of positive reinforcement, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, desensitization and counter-conditioning programs have been shown to successfully teach dogs desirable behaviors and prevent behavior problems while enhancing the human-pet bond.
How do wolves behave in the packs? Aren’t dogs just like wolves?
Decades of observation by wildlife biologists of free-ranging wolf packs have revealed startling insight into the lives of these majestic canids. For instance, seasoned leaders of wolf packs actually survey from near the back of the pack when traveling, rather than taking the lead position. Also, in times of scarcity, the leaders allow the young to eat first, rather than feeding themselves first. Wolf behavior experts, such as L. David Mech, have dedicated their lives to observing wolves in their natural state. Some interesting observations include: There is an absence of reports of wolves seeking high positions over the pack, there are no signs of a leader rousting a subordinate from a desired resting place, and an alpha wolf rarely initiates pinning (a dominance behavior). These experts who study wolf behavior describe the role of the wolf leaders as parents— guiding, teaching, and caring for their pack members. When the wolf offspring mature, they do not compete to overthrow the pack leader; instead, they leave the pack, find a mate, and start a family of their own. A parent-family model better describes wolf-wolf relationships than a competitive hierarchy model.
10 Signs Your Dog Considers You The Alpha
FAQ
Do dogs show dominant behavior to humans?
Dog/Dog Dominance Aggression While in many cases dogs will show dominant behaviors to humans, there are other dogs who limit their aggressive behavior to other canines. This may occur with dogs outside of the home but frequently occurs between dogs in the home as well. Dog/Human Dominance Aggression
Do dogs show dominance with other dogs?
Dogs may exhibit dominance behavior with other dogs, with humans, or both: Dog/Dog Dominance Aggression While in many cases dogs will show dominant behaviors to humans, there are other dogs who limit their aggressive behavior to other canines. This may occur with dogs outside of the home but frequently occurs between dogs in the home as well.
What is dominance in dogs?
Understanding this behavior can provide crucial insights into effectively managing and maintaining harmonious relationships between dogs, pets and their owners. Dominance in dogs refers to a hierarchical relationship, often observed within a social group, where one dog asserts its control or influence over another.
What is dominant behavior in dogs?
Dominance in dogs involves a hierarchy in social groups and can be influenced by multiple factors. Recognizing the signs of dominant behavior is important for effective management and fostering a healthy relationship between pets and their owners.
How do I know if my dog is dominant?
Recognizing the signs of dominant behavior in your dog is crucial to effectively addressing and managing it. Here are some common signs to watch out for: Mounting or Humping: Humping or mounting is a classic sign of dominance. It can be directed toward other dogs, people, or objects.
When do dogs show dominance?
Some dogs may show dominant behaviors even as a young puppy, and other dogs may not show signs of dominance until they reach maturity. Aggression that is due to dominance can be a particularly difficult trait to extinguish and requires a great deal of time and consistency.
How do I tell if my dog is trying to dominate me?
A dominant dog may stare, bark, growl, snap, or even bite when you give him a command or ask him to give up a toy, treat, or resting place.
How do I show my dog I am the alpha?
How does a dog show dominance over you?
… 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 feetJan 30, 2023
What is a dominant dog behavior toward humans?
- Physicality — These dogs do not respect the rules about your intimate space.
- Nipping, biting, or constant mouthing of humans (and other animals) in an effort to control or correct them.
- Bark, growl, or whine at you in an effort to be demanding or controlling.