Dominance - what it is and what it is not!

What Does "Dominant" Really Mean in Social Dog Behaviour?

The word "dominant" is one of the most misunderstood and misused terms when it comes to dog behaviour. It's a word that’s often thrown around to explain why dogs might be pulling on the lead, not sitting when asked, or even showing aggression. But these behaviours are not about dominance in the way many people think.

In its true sense, dominance is a term that refers to a relationship between two individuals within a social group, typically based on resource access. It’s important to understand that dominance is not a personality trait that a dog carries with them across every situation. Instead, it is something that occurs contextually when two dogs are interacting, usually over something valuable like food, a resting spot, or a toy.

What Does "Dominant" Really Mean?

Dominance in social animal groups, including dogs, is about stability and reducing conflict, not about one animal constantly asserting power over another. In a balanced group, dogs will often develop a kind of social order where one dog may have priority access to resources in certain situations, and another may have that access in different situations. This dynamic minimises actual fighting or physical conflict because the dogs "know the rules" about who gets what, when.

For instance, a dog that gets first access to a toy or a prime resting spot isn’t trying to be the “boss” of the household or "defy" its owner. It’s simply working within the natural social structure that reduces competition for resources. More importantly, these dynamics are flexible. The same dog might give up a toy or a spot to another dog under different circumstances. In fact, much of dog-to-dog communication involves subtle signals to avoid confrontation and maintain social harmony, not to establish control.

What Dominance Is Not

Despite the true meaning of dominance, the term has been misused to justify outdated and harsh training methods. Here are a few examples of what dominance does not mean:

• Pulling on the lead is not dominance. When your dog pulls ahead, they aren’t trying to be in charge of the walk; they’re just excited or trying to reach something interesting. Proper leash training is about teaching them what you expect, not assuming they are trying to dominate you.

• Jumping up is not dominance. Dogs jump to greet, get attention, or because they’re excited. It’s not a signal that they think they’re “above” you in some social hierarchy.

• Ignoring commands is not dominance. If your dog doesn't sit or come when called, it’s not because they’re being “dominant.” More often, it's a sign that the behaviour hasn’t been fully learned, they’re distracted, or they’re anxious. It’s a training issue, not a power struggle.

• Aggression is not dominance. While some people might label any aggressive behaviour as a dog trying to dominate, aggression is usually a response to fear, frustration, or a perceived threat. These are emotional responses, not a calculated move to control others.

In this picture Mercury is pulling in his racing harness and he's walking on a loose lead in his walking harness - hes performing behaviours he associates with each situation and that has nothing to do with dominance at all!

The Problem with Dominance-Based Training

Training approaches that focus on dominance or "being the alpha" are based on a flawed understanding of dog behaviour. These methods often involve punishment, intimidation, and fear—none of which help build a trusting, cooperative relationship with your dog. Forcing a dog into submission, for instance, can create confusion, stress, and even worsen behavioural problems.

Dogs aren’t trying to take over your home or your life. They simply need clear, consistent communication and positive reinforcement to learn how to behave in a human world. Reward-based training has been proven time and again to be the most effective and humane way to work with dogs.

Reclaiming the Term

It’s time we reclaim the term "dominance" and use it correctly. In a dog’s world, social structures exist to promote peace, not conflict. Dogs communicate through body language, postures, and signals to avoid the need for physical fights over resources. When we understand this, it becomes clear that our role is not to dominate but to guide and teach, using methods that respect our dogs' natural behaviour and psychology.

In short, dominance isn’t about being “in charge” all the time, nor is it an excuse for punitive training methods. Instead, it's a natural part of social organisation in the animal world, one that we should understand and respect—not fear or misuse.

Let’s move beyond the myths of dominance and embrace a kinder, science-based approach to working with our dogs. In doing so, we’ll not only strengthen our bond with them but also help them thrive in our human world.