Dogs are known as pack animals whose dominance’s rooted in their territorial instincts. In the wild, this behavior serves as a key to survival, but when it’s displayed in a domestic environment , it can develop into unwanted behaviors and dangerous aggression. Knowing the signs of dominant behavior gives dog owners the tools they need to work with their dog or get help through Dog Training Classes that’ll stop the behavior from progressing.
Common Signs of Dominant Behavior in Dogs
Dogs show dominance in a variety of ways, often leading to aggressive behaviors that could cause serious injuries to children or other pets. An important sign of dominant behavior in dogs involve aggression towards children and biting at the heels of children and other pets in an attempt to “herd” them. Any dog owner that notices aggressive behavior in their pet should seek our Dog Training in Fredericksburg to correct this behavior. Our Dog Training Classes offers training that can deal with aggressive behavior effectively and in a safe, controlled environment. Some other common signs of Dominant behavior include:
- Guarding their owner from other dogs or people
- Leash Pulling
- Inappropriately mounting dogs or humans (seen in males and females)
- Stealing attention from other dogs
- Refusing to move off furniture
- Demanding play by putting toys in their owners lap
- Must walk in front of other dogs or owner while on a leash
- Constant licking
Another important sign of dominant behavior is the refusal to listen to their owners commands and respond by growling, jumping, barking, nipping, or other inappropriate behavior. Additionally, they commonly have a high level of food and toy aggression, also known as guarding. Causing them to growl, bite, or nip at other animals, children, or their owners when they get to close to the items they’re guarding.
What Cause Dominant Behavior in Some Dogs
Despite speculation, dominant behavior is not a normal personality trait in any breed of dog. There’s several reasons why a dog displays dominant behavior, none of which, owners should consider as “okay” or “normal”. In many cases, pet owners unknowingly create the behavior by failing to discipline them when they first show signs of dominant behavior towards children or other animals. By failing to discipline them, their behavior gradually escalates. Other causes for dominant behavior include:
- Lack of socialization with other animals
- Lack of proper training
- Environmental Factors
Another important reason dogs display dominant behavior is in response to an underlying health condition. Underlying health conditions can cause a dog to have hormonal or mood imbalances and poor eyesight or hearing. These conditions can cause a dog to displaying dominant behavior such as biting, growling, and barking in respond to the pain and irritability these conditions cause.
What Breed Of Dog is Prone To Dominant Behavior
Dominate behavior can occur in any breed of dog and it can occur in both males and females, though it’s more common in males. In most cases, dominant behavior occurs when a dog has reached maturity, somewhere between one and three years old. However, it’s not uncommon for dominant behavior to occur in older dogs or puppies. It’s important to note that dominant behavior displayed by puppies proves easier to correct then older dogs if the owner applies proper disciplining techniques and gets the puppy in Dog Training Classes.
How to Correct Dominant Behavior
Treatment for a dog who shows dominant behavior depends on several factors. Every pet owner should have their dog examined by a veterinarian, to determine if they suffer from any underlying health conditions. The veterinarian will treat any health conditions to see if it improves their overall behavior. In some cases, by correcting medical issues and combining it with Dog Training Classes, the behavior’s easier to correct.
For dogs who do not have an underlying health condition, dog obedience training and proper training guidelines for the owners to follow at home, offers an effective solution. We offer Dog Training in Fredericksburg that not only corrects dominant behavior, but it helps pet owners bond with their pet and learn new techniques to keep the behavior at bay.
If you’re a pet owner whose having problems with dominant behavior, we can help. Mike, our experienced trainer will retrain your dog through our dog obedience training program. Curbing aggressive, dominant behavior and teaching dog owners the appropriate response to give, if the behavior returns. Call Wag Ur Tail Dog Training at 540-834-8353 to schedule dog training classes!
Almost 11 year old shar pei who is blind and deaf has become very stubborn when walking. Wants to constantly change sides of road and when smelling won’t budge. Has been blind since birth and deaf last four years. Otherwise, a happy dog that makes it around house with no problem. Walking is a battle.
I would be hesitant if I was blind and deaf also. Sounds like hearing helped compensate for being deaf. Now losing both there are only soo many other things dogs can do. Sniffing takes longer due to other senses being gone.
Hi how do I go about getting advice .
How much is it to join .
Good evening, Gerald!
If you would like to give us a call at (540) 324-3518 in the morning we can discuss your specific situation to figure out what kind of training would be best for your dog. Have a wonderful rest of your evening!
Wag Ur Tail Dog Training
Hi how do I go about getting advice .
How much is it to join .
Our new puppy is fine with the other people in my family, but with me he nips and barks. I think he thinks he’s dominant to me.
My aunt came over after about 2 wks my dogs havent seen her. Now my bull dog keeps trying to mount my terrior dog every since my aunt showed up. She gives both dogs the same amount of attention but my bull dog wont stop trying to mount my terrior. He is going ro hurt her
How do I get him to stop this behavior?
I have a yr old Jack Russell male and recently got a male labrador, (8/9mnths). They play great together etc,but if the lab has a bone and the jack Russel goes to try and get it from him the lab will chase him away and give him a warning snap. Is this something to worry about?
Yes sir, that is a very big issue!!! If this is not corrected ASAP you could end up with some very bad injuries as this progresses. We would love to help, I will email you!
dogs will literally attack each other over toys. please be careful. play can turn into a fight quickly. separate them quickly & take the toy away.
I have a dog who was abused when he was little he flinches whenever something comes at him too fast.he also attacked a puppy we had and he started to growl at my brother. He is fine if we pet him well he is eating but he will stop and just stand at his bowl if someone just walked in the kitchen he also run to be first downstairs or upstairs he will push right past you. He leans all his weight on the bed when he doesn’t want to get off. He is a very big dog and very strong
Hello ma’am, a dog’s past trauma can certainly impact their life and their owners. However, it does not have to stay this way. I will email you, we would LOVE to help!
Oh my goodness- you described my chihuahua mix to a tee in the description of dominant behavior. Baxter is a 3 1/2 yr old chihuahua/rat terror mix and Max is 1 1/2 yrs old lab/bully mix.
We also have an older 11 yr old basset/beagle mix– they have always been inseparable-
Max likes to nip on their ankles to get them up and playing with him and we have been working with him to stop doing this.
Something happened Monday and Baxter and Max full on attacked it other- I separated them and then the next day- it happened again and Wednesday the third time.
I called the vet to see if we should schedule an appt to have them both nuetered, and they said that it probably would not help. They suggested behavioral training, however, I have not heard back from any of the trainers we have reached out to as of yet.
Right now- they are all in their own kennels and I let them out individually to go outside and to eat and 30 min at a time each to play.
Baxter walks past Max in his kennel and his hair stands straight up on his back and his begins barking and growling and Max starts to growl and I move Baxter right away out of the line of vision of Max.
We did get an appt to have Baxter nuetered next Tuesday- but any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Sue, we’re sorry to hear about your troubles with your puppy. Please give us a call at (540) 324-3518 or send an email to [email protected]. We don’t check out comments daily so this is the best way to reach out.
hi mike,
my 4 month old aussiedoodle has all of a sudden started barking at me lunging and bitting me harder than usual sometimes when i tell him no or clap loudly to correct his bad beavior. It seems like he doesnt like being told what to do . he doesnt stop attacking me when i yell ow loudly or say no firmly. i recently have gotten advice to leave the room and ignore him which seems to descalate the situation. Do you think i have an aggressive puppy that will turn into an aggressive adult? i would have been terrified if he was full grown trying to do hurt me like this.
Dear Mary, we’re sorry to hear about your troubles with your puppy. Please give us a call at (540) 324-3518 or send an email to [email protected]. We don’t check out comments daily so this is the best way to reach out.
Hi,
This is urgent and I am desperately seeking advice. We have a perfectly great husky who my family and siblings love very much. He is about 1 years old. We have already had a dog trainer work with him but food aggression and guarding is still an issue. He is super friendly to all unless you try to take something from his mouth. He listens when we offer him a treat and he will put something down most of the time. My mom is crazy and is threatening to have our dog euthanized because he bit her. He bit her because she hurt him. She is obsessed with trying to be the “alpha” and so when he doesn’t come when she calls his name, or doesn’t drop the food in his mouth that he stole, my mom goes crazy and starts yanking at his prong collar hard and drags him by his neck. She is mean to him. We have no problems with him until my mom comes and basically wants him to bite her so she can have a reason to euthanize him. Please help.
Dear Lauren, we’re so sorry to hear about your issue. Please call us at (540) 324-3518 or email directly to [email protected]. We don’t check this comments daily so it’s best to reach out via email.
I have 2 boxer males. The youngest one has been mounting the older one and continuously growls while he’s on his back. The older one will also do this to the younger one and will put him on his back. They never hurt each other and it all seams like they are trying to figure out who will be in charge! Is this harmless or do I need to take more control?
Hi, Tricia! We don’t check our comments as often as we wish we could…too busy training. 🙂 Please reach out to us using the form on our contact page and we’ll get right back to you with how we can help. https://wagurtaildogtraining.com/contact-us/
My both German shepherds have been recently behaving weird. They both indulge in fight and i think that it is because of the dominance they seek over each other.
Hi, Joseph! Sorry to hear that. We always advise you start with a visit to your vet. Changes in your pets health can be at the root of a change in demeanor. If you’d like to chat with our owner, please fill out the form on our CONTACT page and we’ll contact you as soon as we can.
me & my boyfriend moved in together & we have 2 dogs. his dog has grown tall & he is a large breed. he has challenged me many times. i never break a stare. i never let him walk in front of me when we walk. i never let him overpower me in the bed or on the floor. he does not pull me or yank me or disrespect me unless i talk sweetly & then he loosens up. but he disrespects my bf all the time bc he doesn’t discipline him. he walks my bf & jumps all over him. i hate it. it makes me angry. it’s not hard to get a dogs respect, firm hand works for some & time & patience. dogs go through a teenage phase as well so they act like stubborn teens lol,
Another important reason dogs display dominant behavior is in response to an underlying health condition.