Dominance in Dogs: How to Handle Your “Alpha Dog” 

Dominance in Dogs: From Living in Wolf Packs 

Dogs descend from wolves, and like wolves, dogs naturally live in packs. Just like their ancestors, dogs have learned that living in a pack is much easier than living alone. Together, they can better protect themselves from danger, and hunting in a group is much more successful. 

Contrary to long-held beliefs, there is neither a strict hierarchy in wolf packs nor in dog packs. On the contrary, wild wolves and dogs live in a kind of family group, usually led by the oldest animals. Aggressive fights over the role of the alpha animal rarely occur within the group. 

Born Leader or Subordinate? 

Recent studies of wild wolves and dogs show that there is no clear alpha animal. While some pack members do occasionally display dominant behaviour, it depends more on a specific situation rather than their general role in the pack. 

For example, if a dog in the pack has bones, it is considered the “leader” over the resource “bone” at that moment. Other pack members do not question this. They accept that the other dog is in charge and automatically become the subordinate. However, the dog with the bone does not become the general leader, who always gets its food first. 

If a previously subordinate animal catches prey, it can decide about it alone at that moment. Whether a dog acts dominantly or submissively depends on the specific situation and timing. 

Is the Alpha Dog a Myth? 

Wild wolves do show aggression, but mostly towards wolves that do not belong to their “family” and pose a threat to their pack. Whether it’s over food or territory, wolves and dogs do not strive for a power position within their own pack. 

An alpha dog that constantly has to prove its high rank through dominance fights within its own pack does not exist naturally among wild dogs. 

What Does Dominance in Dogs Mean? 

Despite these new findings, the theory of dominance in dogs persists. If a dog is disobedient towards its owner, it is often explained that the dog is trying to take on the role of pack leader, the alpha animal. 

When dog training shows no success and the dog seems to “run rings” around its owner, it is often excused by saying the dog is very dominant. But what does dominance in dogs really mean? Can it actually be recognised by certain disobedience towards people? And does the dog have to be submissive to obey? 

Is Alpha Dog Training Sensible for a Dominant Dog? 

For years, experts and dog trainers agreed that dog training could only succeed if the dog accepted its owner as the “pack leader”. To strengthen this position, owners were advised to use various methods to repeatedly show the dog its subordinate role in the family pack. 

Even today, many believe that a dog should only get its food after its owner has eaten. Additionally, the owner should always go through the door before the dog and should never allow the dog to take the lead. Sleeping in the owner’s bed or taking the owner’s favourite spot should be completely off-limits. 

Many dog training books also described the so-called Alpha Roll technique. With this technique, owners were advised to hold their disobedient dog in a submissive position on the ground. Unfortunately, these methods showed success in very few cases.

The supposed “dominance problems” like pulling on the lead, ignoring commands, aggressive food guarding, or jumping up were usually not resolved through such alpha training. Why was that? 

A Dominant Dog is Not Automatically Disobedient 

The problem with alpha dog training is that it is based on the assumption that dogs naturally want to take over the pack leadership. And they try to enforce this desire through dominant behaviour.

As previously mentioned, recent scientific studies of wild wolves and dogs have strongly questioned this instinctive desire for the alpha role. 

Moreover, it is doubtful if dogs really see their human family as a pack. Many experts now believe that dogs form packs only with their own kind. 

Accordingly, our four-legged friends know exactly that we are not the same as them. Attributing dominance as the cause of disobedience, aggression, or stubbornness doesn’t do justice to the dog’s actual wishes. The fact is a dog is not disobedient because it is dominant, but because it has been poorly trained, if at all. 

What is Dominance Anyway? 

As simple as it sounds, whether a dog is dominant does not show itself by the dog pulling on the lead just to set the “tone”. Or by showing aggression towards strangers because, as the alpha animal, it naturally takes on the role of protector. 

On the contrary, dominance in dogs shows itself more in a noticeable presence and inner calm. Dominant dogs are self-confident. They are aware of their sovereignty and do not need aggressive growling or loud barking to prove themselves to others. 

In a group of playful dogs, the dominant dog often stands calmly at the edge. Not because it is shy, but because it does not need these wrestling games. Its posture is upright, it moves confidently and steadily, with its head and ears held high. Signs like a tucked tail or rounded back, indicating fear or nervousness, are rarely seen in dominant dogs. 

Properly Interpreting Problem Behaviour in Dogs 

Despite these new findings, the real problems behind the fear of dog dominance have not disappeared. Clearly, a dog that ignores all rules and commands is a serious concern. Instead of excusing problem behaviour with the wrong mention of the dog’s dominance, it is important to understand the actual causes of this behaviour. 

Why doesn’t your dog listen to you? What might really be causing it, and how can you manage your dog’s problem behaviour? Let’s explain this with the following five examples. 

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Example 1: “My Dog Doesn’t Listen to My Commands.” 

If a dog doesn’t listen to “sit”, “stay”, “drop it”, or “heel”, it can make everyday life with your dog very strenuous and dangerous. Walking a dog that doesn’t heel and doesn’t respond to recall can become a real ordeal. 

The reason for a dog’s disobedience is not that the dog is simply an alpha dog. As hard as it sounds, the fault lies in poor or incorrect training, and thus solely with the owner. 

Whether it’s a confident German Shepherd or a nervous Terrier, all dogs can learn commands. They are ready to obey their owners, provided they trust them and their abilities. This means they need to be convinced that you have the situation under control at all times and that it’s worthwhile for them to listen to you. Be it because it’s less stressful and easier for them or because there’s a reward for them. 

Earn Your Dog’s Trust 

One of the most frequent causes of disobedience is that your dog cannot rely on your commands and their consequences.

For example, when the commands are unclear or contradictory. Dogs pay close attention to body language. If this doesn’t match your command, it might be a reason for them not to listen. If you say “sit” while nervously pacing, your dog will hardly understand why it should sit calmly. 

Therefore, ensure your dog can trust your commands. Your commands must always be clear and unambiguous.

They should match your body language and come at the right time. Dogs understand commands as well as praise and scolding only when they are closely linked to actions. Punishing a dog hours later for peeing on the carpet is as ineffective as telling it to wait while you’re heading to the supermarket. 

Example 2: “My Dog Pulls on the Lead.” 

When a dog pulls on the lead, owners often excuse it by saying the dog is very dominant. In reality, no dog pulls on the lead due to dominance; rather, it’s because you let it pull.

Some owners find it amusing to be dragged around by their playful puppies, only to be surprised when the dog still pulls when older. If a dog learns that pulling yields results, it will try it every time. 

Good lead-training is not a matter of submission or dominance, but simply of training. Teach your dog that pulling on the lead literally doesn’t get it anywhere. A proven measure is to stop immediately when a dog starts pulling, or to take a few steps back.

Only continue your walk when the lead is slack again. This exercise must be done consistently. Letting the dog pull on the lead occasionally will cause you more work in the long run than ensuring it learns to always follow your direction. 

Example 3: “My Dog is Aggressive Towards Strangers.” 

Clearly, a dog is not born dominant or aggressive. Naturally, some dog breeds, like Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, or Pitbulls, have higher protective instincts and lower thresholds for stimuli. 

But no dog in the world attacks another dog or person simply on a whim. Aggressiveness is not a problem of “alpha dogs” but rather of dogs that feel insecure and uncomfortable. 

One of the most common causes of aggressive behaviour towards strangers is that your dog senses its owner’s unease and believes it needs to protect and defend you. If you become nervous when a stranger approaches in the forest and fear that your dog might start barking aggressively, your dog will sense this and inevitably mirror your behaviour. Attempts to calm your dog with reassurance or petting only reinforce this behaviour. 

Show Your Dog That You Have the Situation Under Control 

You need to convince your dog that there is no reason to protect you. Never show your dog that you are afraid or nervous. Act confidently and try to ignore your dog’s aggressiveness. 

Don’t engage with it and reward your dog only when it stays calm around strangers. 

Example 4: “My Dog Guards Its Food.” 

Dogs are naturally self-centred and focus on their own well-being. Defending vital resources like food is not a result of dominance but of an innate survival instinct. 

While defending prey is natural among wild wolves or dogs, it can become problematic when living with humans if the dog starts growling when its owner approaches its food bowl. 

It’s crucial that the dog learns there’s no need to guard its food in the presence of humans. A good method is to offer your dog something else by hand (like a bone or a treat) along with its food. This way, the dog will perceive the presence of humans around its food as something positive. 

Another, though riskier, method is to remove the food bowl and only return it when the dog waits calmly and accepts your proximity. 

Example 5: “My Dog Constantly Fights with Other Dogs.” 

Aggressiveness towards other dogs can have various causes. The two most common reasons are that your dog feels it needs to defend you from the other dog (see “My Dog is Aggressive Towards Strangers”) or that it perceives the other dog as a rival.

Whether it’s a competition over food, a favourite spot, or your attention, these incidents are not about jealousy but rather about securing their advantage. It’s not about hurting the other dog but about getting the best for oneself. 

Such small squabbles over resources can occur if multiple dogs live together. Often, the real issue does not lie with the dogs’ behaviour but with the actions of us humans. 

When Multiple Dogs Live Together 

Owners of multiple dogs strive to treat their animals fairly. It pains us to see one dog always snatching the treat first while the other tends to “give in”. We want to prohibit this dominant behaviour. But often, we only make it worse. 

Dogs don’t take it personally if they lose out sometimes. They determine the hierarchy in individual situations amongst themselves and accept if the other is dominant at times. By favouring the seemingly weaker dog, you disrupt the dogs’ relationship. 

Instead of promoting harmony, you are more likely to encourage confrontation. Even though it’s hard, show your dogs that you accept their ranking order and that there’s no need to constantly prove it. 

Conclusion: Dominance in Dogs is a Matter of Training 

Disobedience, boisterousness, aggression, or rivalry usually have nothing to do with dominance in dogs. Generally, these dogs simply have not learned that their behaviour is unwanted. 

The problem, as often is the case, lies with us humans. If a dog appears dominant, it is usually just poorly trained. Dogs look up to their humans and naturally test what behaviour benefits them and what has consequences. They don’t do this to take on the role of alpha dog but to find their place in society. Trying to establish their role as “subordinate to humans” with alpha training methods is unlikely to succeed. 

What is more important is that you act as a reliable partner for your dog. Show your dog that it can trust your judgement. Additionally, it’s essential to offer your dog clear guidance in every situation. You don’t have to be a strict dictator. However, you should be confident, self-assured, and, above all, consistent to lead your dog in the right direction.