He carries himself with what looks like dignity to the untrained human eye. For example, a dominant dog will walk high and proud, puffing himself out as much as he can.
Just looking at a dog and the way he carries himself can tell you what frame of mind the dog is in.
Not liking to be left alone and getting overly excited upon the human’s return (see Separation Anxiety in Dogs).Carrying themselves with a proud gait, head held high.Licking (giving kisses) in a determined and focused manner.Persistence about where they sleep, i.e.Persistence about being on top, be it a lap or stepping on your foot.Nipping at people's heels when they are leaving (dog did not give permission to leave).Refusing to walk on a lead (excludes untrained puppies, dogs with injuries or illnesses).Persistence about getting through the doorway first.Persistence about walking in front of humans while on a lead.Persistence about going in and out of doorways before humans.Persistence about being on a particular piece of furniture when asked to stay off (dog owns it).Jumping or putting their paws on humans (without a command to do so).High-pitched screams in protest of something dog does not wish to do.Barking or whining at humans which many owners consider "talking" (without a command to do so).People like to call it “protecting” but it's actually “claiming”-dog owns you. Guarding a human from others approaching.Sitting in high places, looking down on everything.Pushing a toy into you or pawing in order to get you to play with them.Smarter dogs tend to challenge the pack order more than dogs of average or below-average intelligence. Sometimes an alpha dog will only display a few of the behaviors at random times, depending on what the dog decides it feels like doing at any given moment. Keep in mind that a dog does not have to display all of these behaviors to be in a dominant frame of mind. Since many canine alpha behaviors are not acceptable in human society, for example, biting, it is important for humans to retain their leadership over their dogs.īelow are some common behaviors dogs display when they believe they are above humans. After all, who gives them food and opens the door for them to go potty? When humans perform these tasks on demand from the dog, though, why wouldn't the dog think it’s the leader? It is easy for dogs to get the impression they are alpha in their pack. Dogs understand that they exist in a human world. If the owners are giving the dog what it wants, sometimes there is no reason for the dog to growl or bite unless it is challenged.
There are usually signs leading up to it over the years and dominant alpha dogs do not always growl and bite. Dogs very rarely display the highest level of dominance overnight. List of dominant behaviors which can occur in dogs (this list is not yet complete)īesides the obvious guarding, growling and biting, many dogs display a variety of dominant behaviors that commonly go unrecognized by their humans.