Signs of a Dominant Dog
Wolves and wild dogs develop a natural dominance hierarchy to successfully function as a group, but when a domesticated dog attempts to exert his dominance over other dogs or humans, trouble can result. Most dogs will easily accept a submissive role in their new family, according to The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), but occasionally, a dog will challenge other animals or its owner for "top dog." Learning to recognize the signs of beginning dominance in your dog allows you to intervene before the problem gets out of hand.
Ears, Eyes and Mouth
Your dog communicates through body language. Even before he growls, your dog may hold his ears stiffly forward and stare directly at the human or animal he intends to dominate. If he averts his gaze, he's given up the challenge for dominance. Your dog's mouth also reveals a lot about his current feelings, and a snarl with a strong set of his jaw indicates that he means business.
Other Body Language
A dog may shift his weight forward, shoving out his chest and making himself look as large as possible when he wants another dog to see him as the leader. The hair on the back of his neck (hackles) may stiffen and stand up at an angle. Dogs may mount other dogs to show their dominance. In addition, a dog may hold his tail high behind his back when he's ready to take on a challenger.
Human Interaction
Occasionally, your dog may decide you're in his pack, and you should be submissive to him. When this occurs, he may ignore your requests and commands. Some dogs may jump on the furniture as a sign of dominance and will resist your commands to get down. Small signs of dominance, such as mouthing your hand or nudging you after you instruct him not to, may signal his desire to control the petting situation.
Aggression
If ignored, the signs of dominance may become more pronounced and, eventually, turn to aggression dominance. Signs of this advanced form of dominance might include growling or baring his teeth at you or warning you away from his food bowl or a favorite toy with a low growl and snapping at you.
Retraining
When dog dominance occurs, the sooner you begin retraining your dog, the easier it will be to correct his bad habits. Reduce or prevent unwanted behavior by not feeding your dog from the table, not allowing him to sit on your furniture and signing him up for an obedience class. If your dog is showing aggression, you may need the services of a qualified trainer who works with aggressive dogs.
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