I'm Worried My Dog is Dominant!
Dominance.
There’s a widespread belief that behavior problems are actually a dominance issue. When the dog jumps on people, rushes out the door, or sleeps on the bed, he’s trying to be dominant. The corresponding belief is that behavior problems can be solved or avoided if the owner is Alpha.
Since no one wants to live with an aggressive, disobedient, or ill-mannered dog, establishing owner dominance becomes priority and any signs of dominance from the dog are cause for worry—especially if the owner doubts their ability to be stern or punish.
I’ve got good news! It’s not dominance.
Dominance is way less of an issue than many people think, and the theory has actually been debunked.
Here are three true things to know about dominance in dogs:
#1 The Real Definition
The actual definition of dominance is, “priority access to a preferred, limited resource.” Dominance is not a personality trait; it’s the outcome of a specific situation.
#2 What’s Really Needed
Second, establishing and maintaining dominance is not necessary for having a well-behaved dog. Consistency? Yes. Dominance, no.
#3 What He Actually Wants
Third, the problem behaviors attributed to dominance rarely have anything to do with dominance.
If your dog gets on the bed or sofa, he’s just looking for a cozy place to nap.
If your dog rushes out an open door, he’s just excited to see something other than the inside of the house.
If your dog walks ahead of you, he’s just walking. He has four legs and you have two. Walking with you requires him to constantly slow down. If you’ve ever driven in the passing lane behind someone going below the speed limit, you know what this is like!
Dogs aren’t actually out to take over their owner’s home. They’re just looking for the bare necessities: food, safety, companionship, comfort, and stimulation.
The Real Solution
If there’s something about your dog’s behavior that’s troubling you, reach out to a qualified professional trainer for help! Just because it’s probably not dominance, doesn’t mean it’s not annoying.
If you’re in Round Rock or the surrounding communities, give me a shout. If you’re not local, check out this blog post for how to find a qualified professional trainer.