How Do Dogs Assert Dominance

Understanding Dominance and Submissive Behaviors in Dogs

Dominance in dogs is often misunderstood and viewed negatively. However, it's helpful to understand it simply as a tendency for a dog to take initiative or ‘be in charge'. Conversely, submissiveness reflects a dog's natural inclination to follow rather than lead. Neither trait is inherently good or bad.

This isn't unlike people — some are drawn to leadership roles, perhaps managing large teams and making significant decisions, while others are more comfortable following direction. Dogs display these preferences too, just more directly!

The dynamics of dominance and submissiveness are clearly visible during canine play. The video titled “Dominant Dog Play” provides an excellent example, featuring two dogs who live together: Sadie, a 14-month-old Staffy Cross, and Zoe, a 12-year-old Red Heeler. Their familiarity allows for a fluid and well-practiced display of these behaviors, making their interaction captivating to watch — true poetry in motion.

In this short dog training video, the following behaviors and body language cues were captured:

Observing dogs interact is one of the best ways to learn about their behavior. In this video example, it's clear who tends to take the lead (Zoe, the elder) and who is the enthusiastic younger participant (Sadie, the “young upstart”). Importantly, both dogs appear comfortable and happy within their respective roles, demonstrating how these natural dominant and submissive tendencies shape their social dynamic.

Why Is Your Dog Asserting Dominance?

Understanding the basics of dog dominance is key. Showing dominance is a type of behavior that stems from your dog's need for a social structure. Your dog will show ancestral instincts and pack behavior as pack animals.

It's important to recognize that dominance doesn't automatically mean aggression; often, it shows up in more subtle ways, such as a dog acting headstrong, pushy, or particularly stubborn.

Being familiar with how dogs view the world is vitally important as so much of their behavior stems from simple concepts, such as who is in charge.

If you're experiencing behavioral problems with your dog, chances are it has to do with the hierarchy of the leader in your home. Almost 95% of the dog consults I do are with owners experiencing their dog being the Leader of the Pack, and they're unaware of it.

As soon as you establish yourself as the Pack Leader, your dog's behavioral issues will change before your very eyes. Your dog suddenly hands over the responsibilities of being in charge to you and is happy to follow. I have created 5 Golden Rules for becoming the Pack Leader, which, when put in place consistently, often instantly solve most behavioral problems with your dog.

Recognizing Dominant Behaviors: What Are The Signs to Look Out For

Sign #1: Inappropriate Mounting

This can be seen in both male and female dogs.

Dogs use body language, and mounting is a physical way for one dog to put themselves over another, showing, “I'm in charge here!”

This idea seems more likely when the dog isn't trying to mate, or if they're just playing around, especially when it targets specific dogs or people. If it happens when they compete for attention, space, or toys, it looks like that dog is trying to be the boss of that situation and run the show.

Sign #2: Possessive Behavior

Your dog's possessiveness causes them to assert control and dominance, too. Domestic dogs in one household are often protective of food, space, toys, and even you.

Sign #3: Demanding Behavior / Pushiness

This includes persistently nudging for attention, demanding food, refusing to move, or pushing through doorways first. By insisting on getting what it wants, when it wants it, the dog acts as if it controls resources and interactions, challenging the owner's role as Leader.

Sign #4: Tense, Stiff Body Posture

A rigid body often held tall, signals confidence, alertness, and potential readiness to challenge. It makes the dog appear more imposing and communicates that it is not backing down, asserting its presence and status.

Sign #5: High Head and Stiff Tail Carriage

Like a tense posture, holding the head high and the tail high and stiff (sometimes with only slight, stiff wags) is a canine way of broadcasting confidence and dominant status within their social structure.

Sign #6: Hard Stare / Prolonged Direct Eye Contact

A direct, unwavering stare is often considered a challenge in the dog world. A dominant dog might use this hard stare to intimidate or assert authority over another dog or even a person, challenging their status.

Sign #7 Bared Teeth / Tight Mouth

Displaying teeth, often accompanied by a tight mouth or lips pulled back, is a warning signal.

In a dominance context, the dog is prepared to escalate to aggression to defend their perceived rank or control if challenged further.

Sign #8: Growling

When a dog growls, it's a vocal assertion of dominance.

Sign #9: Raised Hackles

When the hair along a dog's back and shoulders stands on end, it indicates a state of high arousal, stress, or excitement.

Coupled with other dominant signals, it often signifies the dog is feeling challenged and potentially preparing to assert itself aggressively.

What Causes Dogs To Be Dominant?

A dog's tendency towards dominance isn't fixed; factors like age and early experiences shape it.

Crucially, proper socialization during puppyhood helps dogs understand social cues and their place in a pack, leading to more balanced behavior. Without adequate socialization, dogs might become insecure and display dominance as a coping mechanism.

Well-socialized dogs are typically less prone to aggression. Older or more assertive dogs often naturally assume dominant roles in multi-dog households.

Energy levels also play a big part.

Dogs lacking sufficient exercise and mental stimulation can become frustrated, expressing pent-up energy through dominant or aggressive actions to control their surroundings.

Regular activity helps manage this.

Additionally, the dog's environment, such as living with other dogs or frequent encounters in the neighborhood, provides more opportunities and triggers for dominance displays as it navigates social hierarchies.

Understanding these influences—age, socialization, exercise, and environment—is key for owners who want a peaceful, calmer dynamic with their dog.

How to Help Your Dog Overcome Dominant Behavior

Control the Food

“Controlling the food” is vital for leadership beyond simply providing meals. You lack control if food is always available (free feeding), you give in to demands, or your dog dictates mealtime behavior or eats before you. Think your dog isn't food motivated? Often, this signals the dog believes they're already in charge, so why comply for food? All dogs are motivated by food when they recognize the owner definitively controls it.

Details are crucial! If your dog skips a meal, remove the food immediately. Leaving it empowers them; removing it reinforces your control. They won't starve but will learn quickly. Similarly, hidden bones or chews undermine your authority because the dog feels they still control some food access. 

Remember, any food item counts in their eyes! True control means your dog understands you hold ultimate power over all food, which is always given strictly on your terms, never theirs. Use mealtimes —when dogs focus intensely — as your prime opportunity to communicate leadership using food delivery as your most powerful, force-free training tool.

I talk more about this in this blog on why food is such a powerful tool in dog training.

Manage Attention and Affection

Why is handling reunions calmly so important in dog training? It connects directly to our dogs' wolf ancestry — they share 99.998% of their DNA! This explains the instinct behind testing leadership after separations.

Think about wolf packs after a dangerous hunt. When the hunters return, the pack performs a vital check-up, assessing if the hunters, especially the Alpha leader, are still fit and strong enough to lead. An injured leader could endanger the whole pack, so this assessment happens reliably after hunts. A capable Alpha demonstrates fitness by remaining calm and steady, undeterred by challenges from other wolves during this reunion.

Our domestic dogs carry this deep-seated instinct. After every separation, even short ones, they instinctively test our leadership upon reunion. That seemingly excited jumping and frantic demand for attention? From the dog's perspective, it’s partly a hard-wired test: “Are you still a capable, reliable leader?”

By responding calmly — ignoring the initial frenzy and greeting them gently only once they settle – you mirror the effective Alpha's behavior. This non-verbally communicates, “Yes, I am still the calm, confident leader you can rely on.”

I talk more about this managing attention and affection towards your dogs in this blog.

Make the Decisions

Meeting our dogs' essential needs for love, food, and playtime is a fundamental responsibility of ownership. However, a crucial aspect of fostering a well-balanced relationship involves establishing clear leadership by managing how and when these needs are met, essentially operating “on your own terms.”

This means while you'll certainly provide affection, treats, and meals, you initiate these interactions rather than simply reacting to your dog's demands.

You decide when it's mealtime, what food is given, and the expected behavior around feeding; similarly, you control the timing, location, and type of play sessions.

Consistently applying this approach, where you thoughtfully control access to resources and positive interactions, can significantly shift your dog's perception.

They begin to see you as a provider and a reliable leader, fostering respect and understanding within your relationship. This structured approach, balanced with kindness and consistent care, helps create a harmonious dynamic where the dog looks to you for guidance.

Here's a blog I wrote about why we need to make the decision for our dogs.

Address Perceived Dangers Calmly

Effectively guiding your dog involves showing them you're the one managing potentially stressful situations.

You need to communicate: ‘I am responsible for handling danger so you can feel secure and relaxed.' This isn't about commands but about your presence. Your dog needs to see and feel your confidence — your calm, steady energy and relaxed posture signal that you are a trustworthy leader capable of handling things. When they sense your composure, they're more likely to settle down.

How do you become this type of reassuring leader for your dog?

When your dog reacts strongly, perhaps barking non-stop, it's a chance to demonstrate, ‘It's okay, I'm aware, and I'm handling it. You don't need to stay agitated.' You convey this vital message through your calm tone, body language, and overall presence, tapping into how dogs naturally read social cues. To help your dog calm down during intense barking, projecting this confident leadership is key.

In this blog, I talk about how to deal with danger that'll earn your dog's trust here.

Lead the Walk

Leash pulling, barking at everything, and general over-excitement during walks often happen for one main reason: your dog thinks they're leading the way. When your dog believes they're in charge of the walk, like being the car's driver, they'll act accordingly — pulling you where they want to go, running off, or chasing things, regardless of you saying ‘No!'. It's crucial, therefore, that you establish yourself as the one in control during walks, and your dog needs to understand this clearly.

Here's what you need to know if you want to have a better walking experience with your dog.

Ignore Unwanted Behavior (When Safe) and Reward Through Positive Reinforcement Training.

Pet owners, for milder forms of dominance or attention-seeking (like pawing, nudging), completely ignoring the behavior can be effective.

By not reacting, you show the dog that this tactic doesn't work to control your actions or get resources.

You can also reinforce good behavior by providing rewards (food, treats, affection) to help your dog learn quickly.

How Dog Training with the Dog Calming Code Can Help

It's amazing how quickly the right training can help your dog change for the better! I've spent years helping dogs struggling with issues like fear, reactivity, or being a bit too bossy, and I truly believe it boils down to two things: a strong, trusting connection with your dog, plus clear, kind leadership.

That's the heart of what I call The Dog Calming Code. It's not just about commands — it's about helping you become the steady, calm presence your dog needs to feel safe.

You'll learn to truly understand what your dog is trying to tell you through their body language, communicate clearly using your energy and tone (not just words!), create comforting routines, and see how much your calmness helps them relax.

Applying the Code means getting to the root of tricky behaviors, helping your dog feel genuinely secure and peaceful with you.

~Doggy Dan 🙂