Dominant Dogs

Debunking the Dominance Myth

One of the most misunderstood topics in dog training is the subject of dominance.

Dominance is almost always interpreted by pet owners as a negative thing. They will sometimes report that their dog is “very dominant” or “trying to be Alpha.”  Dog owners often confuse the term “dominant dog” with “aggressive dog.”

Let’s separate fact from fiction. The word “dominance,” when applied to canine behavior, is not a pejorative.  In fact, when choosing a puppy for my own family, I try to select the most dominant dog in the litter. I love the so-called “dominant” dogs because they are confident. I want to own dogs that are eager to experience life - dogs that love to do things!

Given a choice between owning a dominant dog or a fearful dog, I’d choose the dominant dog every time. It’s very difficult to rehabilitate a timid, fearful dog. A fearful dog has trouble stepping out into the world and enjoying life. A confident, fearless dog is adventuresome and eager to try new things.

It is true that dominant dogs tend to behave rudely until they are properly trained, but I’ve yet to meet one that I could not teach to play by my rules and live within my boundaries and limitations.

No one can deny that dominance aggression does exist. But dominance aggression is only one form of aggression among dozens that exist, and it is certainly not the primary form of aggression.

So if dominance doesn’t mean “bad,” then what does it mean? Here’s a simple definition: 
A dominant dog is a confident dog that seeks to control resources.

So remember:  dominant dogs are not always bad dogs, and bad dogs are not always dominant.