Dominance in Dogs - Does it Exist?

‘The prevailing view of a wolf (Canis lupus) pack is that of a group of individuals ever vying for dominance but held in check by the "alpha" pair, the alpha male and the alpha female. Most research on the social dynamics of wolf packs, however, has been conducted on non-natural assortments of captive wolves’ Dr Mech (Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs) 

Do Dogs Try To Dominate You?

The concept of dominance in dogs has evolved significantly over the years. Originally, the study observed wolf pack behaviour by Dr Mech, where a strict hierarchy appeared leading to the belief that domestic dogs, descendants of wolves, also operate under a similar dominance hierarchy, where they seek to assert dominance over humans and other dogs. However, through domestication, we have shaped dog behaviour as well as their features. Dr Mech carried out another study, this time on a wild wolf pack, (the original was on a captive wolf pack) and his findings were quite different. Scientists now agree that dogs do not want to dominate us!

What Is The Traditional Dominance Theory In Dogs

Recent research and understanding of animal behaviour and canine psychology have challenged these traditional views. 

1. Myth of the Alpha Dog: The "alpha" dog theory is derived from early wolf studies, and has been largely debunked. These studies were based on observations of unrelated wolves forced to live together in captivity, which does not accurately reflect the behaviour of wild wolf packs. Wild wolf packs typically consist of family units with cooperative behaviour rather than rigid dominance hierarchies.

2. Canine Social Structure: Domestic dogs have social structures, which are fluid and context-dependent, not rigid as the dominance hierarchies previously suggested. Social interactions among dogs are influenced by a variety of factors, including individual personalities, experiences, and the specific context of the interaction.

3. Training and Behaviour: Effective dog training has shifted from dominance-based methods (like alpha rolls and physical corrections) to positive reinforcement techniques. Modern training emphasises understanding canine behaviour, building trust, and reinforcing desired behaviours rather than punishing undesired ones.

4. Misinterpretation of Behavior: Many behaviours traditionally interpreted as dominance (such as jumping on people, pulling on the leash, or aggression) are now understood to often stem from other motivations, such as fear, anxiety, excitement, or a lack of training.

Some dog trainers maintain that dogs need harsh training to control them. Just this week a trainer contacted me and told me he used e-collars on larger breeds of dogs such as rottweilers and pit bulls, because their breed ‘needs’ training that way. 

No specific breeds need to be trained differently they have the same emotional and physical needs as all other dogs.

What Are The (percieved) Signs Of ‘Dominance’ In Dogs?

Some of the behaviours that are seen as dominant 

• Dogs being on your bed - a client told me another trainer told them to stop letting the dog on the bed because it was dominating them. Your dog likes to lie on your bed because it is comfortable and smells of you.

• The dog eating before you - my trainer used to pretend to eat a biscuit from the dog bowl so the dog saw him as an alpha because that was what he had been told to do.

• Dogs being allowed on the furniture

• Dogs going through doorways before you

• Guarding toys and food - we used to be told to take food and toys away from dogs, in reality, this can cause anxiety and dogs, and the dogs growl, communicating that they don’t want their food removed. 

• Humping - Dog hump when they are anxious, over-excited and need to release their energy. It used to be seen as a dominance act.

• Your Dog Not Listening to You - this often happens due to a lack of training, expecting too much from your dog and placing them into situations that are too distracting for them. 

• Displaying aggression when given a command - I hate the term command, we don’t need to command our dogs, effective training will mean that your dog behaves well. If your dog is becoming aggressive in this scenario, it is likely due to fear and confusion and they are communicating that they are unhappy. Listen to your dog!

Is It OK to Ascert Dominance In Dogs?

Dog behaviour is a direct result of the environment and treatment. Pain and health have a major impact on how a dog feels and behaves. The dominance theory does not take these factors into account and dogs suffer as a consequence of this type of training.

It is never ok to use dominance on any animal or human being.

The Dominance Theory In Dogs Has Been Debunked.

Dogs are not wolves, they share similar instincts and DNA, but being domesticated thousands of years ago has made them a separate species, therefore likening their behaviour to wolves is unfair and incorrect. We share genetic similarities to mice, chimps and a banana! More recent studies on wolves reveal that wolves live in a harmonious group, rarely needing to be controlled or dominated by a leader. 

Dominance Toward Other Dogs

Dogs do not want to assert their dominance over us or other dogs. Dogs are social animals and have a special set of ritualised behaviours to achieve specific outcomes. When dogs greet, they assess the situation to gather information about the other dog. This is a ritualistic chain of interaction.

Issues seen as dominance or aggression occur when the interaction chain is not followed. This can happen if a dog is nervous or unsure or lacks social confidence. 

Some dogs have overactive play styles, causing conflict particularly when dog play gets too much and one dog can’t break off, or the other dog doesn’t allow it. Fights can happen as a coping mechanism to get them away from the situation. 

A dog resting their chin or paw on the other dog's back, mounting or standing over them is not attempting dominance, think of them as that person who has no concept of personal space! It can be frightening and overwhelming for the other dog and cause aggression.

Conclusion

In summary, while dogs do have social structures and hierarchies to some extent, the simplistic dominance model does not accurately reflect the complex and varied nature of canine social interactions. Modern approaches to understanding and training dogs focus more on communication, cooperation, and mutual respect rather than dominance and submission