Common misunderstandings about dominance in dogs, corrected

Whilst everyone thinks they have a good idea of what a dominant dog is, this concept is widely misunderstood—even among experienced dog lovers and some trainers.

The notion of pack structure and an alpha or dominant role within it is very real but often oversimplified. One common misconception is that dominance represents a fixed, rigid hierarchy lasting all situations and contexts; this is not supported by current canine behaviour science.

Dominance is better understood as a fluid and situational set of behaviours rather than a static trait in a specific dog. If you observe groups of dogs interacting over time—such as at a dog park where dogs come and go—you'll notice that the dominant role can shift as newcomers assert themselves or leaders take breaks.

Interestingly, dogs often engage in playful role reversals. For example, a large, confident dog may 'allow' a smaller or younger dog to act dominantly during play, demonstrating social flexibility rather than enforcing strict power hierarchies.

In this article, we'll explore what dominance truly means in canine terms, clarify how it differs from aggression, and correct some common misunderstandings based on the latest veterinary and behaviour expert consensus in 2025.

Read on to learn more about the responsible approach to understanding dog dominance.

What is a dominant dog?

Dominance in dogs is a social relationship, not a personality label or a sign of aggression. A dominant dog in one situation may not display dominance in another. This reflects the dynamic nature of social interactions in canine groups.

Dominant dogs tend to be confident and calm rather than reactive or aggressive. Aggression, on the other hand, is mainly rooted in fear or anxiety and is not a sign of dominance.

A dominant dog is typically the leader within a specific social context or group, meaning other dogs defer to them through submissive signals rather than confrontation.

To understand practical signs of a dominant dog, it helps to focus on confident body language, calmness, and an ability to maintain social order without aggression.

Natural traits of a dominant dog

Dominance arises in specific contexts and is expressed through social communication, not force. Key traits that may identify a dominant dog in a group include:

• A dog with no clear higher-ranking peer in the social setting; dominance is always relative to others present.
• Confidence and relaxed behaviour, indicating low fear levels compared to group members.
• Commanding respect with body language cues such as steady gaze and calm posture.
• The ability to influence group decisions, enforce social rules, and access resources first.
• Willingness to engage in social play, including role reversals where the dog temporarily 'yields' to a more submissive peer, demonstrating secure social confidence.

Dominance is not aggression

Aggression is often confused with dominance, but they are separate phenomena. Aggression is most commonly triggered by fear, stress, or anxiety and involves defensive or reactive behaviours.

Dominance reflects an ongoing social relationship involving submission and respect, not the use of aggression to enforce control.

Modern canine behaviour science and expert guidelines stress that training methods relying on physical punishment or intimidating dominance techniques are ineffective and can damage your dog's wellbeing and your relationship with them.

Dominance theory today: What has changed?

Historically, dominance theory was adapted from wolf pack research, suggesting strict hierarchies based on fighting and submission. Current veterinary and behaviour experts now consider this model outdated for domestic dogs.

Domestic dogs differ significantly from wild wolves in social behaviour, tending to resolve conflicts with submissive communication rather than aggression.

Organisations such as the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recommend reward-based training and caution against dominance-based punitive training techniques, promoting trust and positive welfare in dogs.

The responsibility of the dominant role

Being the pack leader involves important responsibilities beyond priority access to resources. The dominant dog plays a key role in maintaining safety, organising the group, and protecting members from threats.

This leadership can be stressful and time-consuming for the dog, requiring patience and restraint rather than constant assertion of power.

The dominant role is therefore not a zero-sum privilege but a role involving social responsibility, much like a manager or leader of a human group.

Responsible pet ownership and dominance awareness

Understanding dominance correctly helps owners foster healthier relationships with their dogs. Recognising social cues and avoiding ineffective or harmful punishment supports positive training outcomes.

It also encourages owners to provide appropriate socialisation opportunities for their dogs to learn natural communication skills in safe environments, including through positive interactions with other dogs.

For those seeking to find a puppy or adopt adult dogs, understanding dominance and social behaviour can guide better compatibility and welfare choices, promoting lifelong wellbeing.

Common questions about dominance in dogs

How can I tell if my dog is dominant?

Quick Answer: Dominance is shown by calm confidence and respectful social behaviour rather than aggression or loudness.

Look for relaxed body language, steady eye contact, and an ability to influence other dogs without bullying. Dominant dogs don’t need to be aggressive or loud to lead a group.

Is dominance the cause of aggressive behaviour in dogs?

Quick Answer: No, aggression usually stems from fear, pain, or stress—not dominance.

Aggression triggers defensive behaviour, not leadership. Addressing aggression requires understanding and managing the underlying causes such as anxiety or medical conditions, not dominance theory.

Should I use dominance techniques in training?

Quick Answer: No, modern training favours reward-based methods.

Using physical punishment or dominance-based methods can harm your dog and damage trust. Positive reinforcement helps build strong human-dog bonds and effective training.

For more information about dominant dogs, visit our detailed guide.