Debunking Dominance:Your Dog Isn’t Trying to Take Over
“Your dog is just being dominant.”
You’ve probably heard this before. Maybe from a trainer, a friend, or a well-meaning stranger at the park. The idea that dogs misbehave because they’re trying to “take charge” is one of the most persistent myths in dog training.
But here’s the truth: dominance isn’t the reason your dog is barking, pulling on leash, or guarding their food.
This outdated belief comes from flawed wolf research that’s been thoroughly debunked. And worse? It has led to harmful training practices that rely on force, intimidation, and punishment—none of which actually address the root cause of behaviour.
So what’s really happening when dogs act out? And what should we be doing instead?
🔹 The real reason behind problem behaviours (hint: it’s not about control)
🔹 How dogs actually communicate through calming signals and deference
🔹 Why punishment creates stress, not training
🔹 How to set your dog up for success using reinforcement-based strategies
Read the full post to learn why dominance-based training is outdated—and what to do instead!
⏳ Reading Time: 5-7 minutes
Dominance. It’s one of the most persistent myths in dog training. Trainers, owners, and even casual observers throw the word around as if it explains everything.
But here’s the truth: it doesn’t.
The idea that dogs misbehave because they’re trying to dominate us isn’t just outdated—it was never correct to begin with. In this post, we’re unpacking the dominance myth, why it’s harmful, and what’s actually driving your dog’s behaviour.
Where Did the Dominance Myth Come From?
The dominance theory in dog training stems from flawed wolf research conducted in the 1940s. Early studies on captive wolves concluded that their social structure was based on a rigid hierarchy, with an “alpha” leading the pack.
But modern research has debunked this. Wild wolf packs don’t operate this way, and even if they did, dogs are not wolves—no more than we are chimpanzees.
Yet, because humans naturally organize themselves in hierarchies, the idea of dominance in dogs stuck. Worse, it became a convenient excuse for using force and intimidation in training.
Dominance is a Label, Not a Solution
When people think a dog is “dominant,” they assume they have to make the dog submit somehow. This belief creates unnecessary conflict, leading to:
🚫 Escalating punishments
🚫 Reliance on intimidation
🚫 Missing the bigger picture
Instead of focusing on why a behaviour is happening, people get caught in a power struggle. But true training isn’t about control—it’s about understanding and communication.
What Should You Do Instead?
A far more effective approach is to drop the labels and focus on behaviour change:
✔ Describe the behaviour. What is your dog actually doing?
✔ Decide what you want them to do instead.
✔ Create a plan to reinforce that behaviour.
Dogs don’t act out because they’re trying to take over your household. They behave in ways that benefit them and keep them safe.
What About Dog-to-Dog “Dominance”?
A lot of people assume that when one dog “submits” to another, it means the other dog is dominant. But that’s not how it works.
Dogs don’t live in a constant battle for rank. Instead, they navigate social situations through:
🐶 Body language
🐶 Space and movement
🐶 Calming signals
What Are Calming Signals?
Calming signals are subtle behaviours dogs use to diffuse tension and communicate peaceful intent. These can include:
✔ Lip licking
✔ Turning the head away
✔ Yawning
✔ Softening their eyes
✔ Slow movements
When a dog steps aside, lowers their head, or avoids direct eye contact, they aren’t submitting to a higher-ranked dog. If a resource like a chew is involved, one dog may defer to the other.
This isn’t about dominance—it’s a choice to prevent conflict.
The reality? Dogs that use force or intimidation aren’t dominant—they’re likely insecure, unsure, or frustrated. Confident dogs don’t need to “prove” anything.
Punishment Feels Good—But It’s Not Good Training
Punishment reinforces the punisher. When a dog acts out, many people don’t ask why—they just want it to stop. And when it does, they feel like they’ve “won.”
But here’s the problem: the behaviour isn’t gone. The dog still has the same fear, frustration, or unmet need—now, they just suppress it. And suppression isn’t training.
Instead of punishing, ask yourself:
✔ Why is this happening?
✔ How can I help my dog feel safe?
✔ What behaviour can I reinforce instead?
Dogs don’t misbehave because they’re trying to challenge us. They do what works for them, based on past experiences, reinforcement, and emotional state.
A Real-Life Example: Is It Dominance or Discomfort?
Let’s say a 10-year-old dog with hip dysplasia growls when someone sits next to them on the couch.
A dominance-based trainer might say the dog is “claiming” the couch.
But let’s rethink that:
🔹 The dog is comfortable where they are.
🔹 It physically hurts to move.
🔹 They don’t want to be touched because it might cause pain.
So they growl. If we listen instead of punishing, we can take action:
✔ Get a vet check.
✔ Adjust their diet, exercise, and pain management.
✔ Meet their needs so they don’t have to growl.
And guess what? Once the dog feels better, they might not even want to be on the couch anymore!
The key takeaway? Behaviour is information. When we address the root cause, the behaviour often resolves itself.
The Science is Clear—Dominance Training is Harmful
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) and many other experts actively discourage dominance-based training.
They recommend that veterinarians only refer clients to trainers who use:
✔ Positive reinforcement
✔ Operant conditioning
✔ Counterconditioning
At the end of the day, our job isn’t to dominate our dogs. It’s to guide them, support them, and create an environment where they feel safe enough to succeed.
Final Thoughts: What Now?
If you’ve been told that your dog is being dominant, take a step back. Ask yourself:
❓ Is my dog feeling safe, comfortable, and understood?
❓ What is actually reinforcing this behaviour?
❓ How can I set them up for success?
Training isn’t about control—it’s about connection. The more we understand why dogs behave the way they do, the better we can support them.
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