How to Spot a Dominant Dog

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Step 1:
Request eye contact with your dog and make him respond in kind. If your dog stares at you for a prolonged period of time, except when you ask for it during training, your dog believes he is dominant.
Step 2:
Experience your dog putting her mouth or teeth on you during play or petting. Even with the absence of aggression, this is a sign of dominance.
Step 3:
Determine the type of play you and your dog share. A dog that runs into you or shoves you, even during play, is dominant. Similarly, a dominant dog will also rush past you through doors or rooms and refuse to move from a chair or space at your command.
Step 4:
Show your dog that you take up more space. Your dog will show dominance by making an attempt to be physically larger by putting his head or paw on your head or shoulder, or standing on you.
Step 5:
Walk your dog and don't let her walk you. If your dog is pulling on her leash, she feels she is dominant.
Step 6:
Train your dog to respond to commands. If your dog plays or ignores training commands that he knows, or obeys only briefly before ignoring you, he is dominant.
Step 7:
Control all of the resources, whether they are dog-related or not. A dominant dog will guard food or locations that he perceives as his own by growling or snarling.

Tips & Warnings

Dominance in a dog is not the same as aggression. The two can be present in the same dog, but a dog can be dominant without being violent. Regardless, consulting professional trainer help with training your dog is a good idea.

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