A May 2009 issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior highlighted a study that indicated human attempts to
assert dominance over dogs tend to increase canine aggression in return.
It is often taught that humans need to
assert their dominance over dogs to show them «who's boss» in order to get them to behave.
It is also used by the top male dog in the pack (the alpha male) to
assert his dominance over all dogs in the pack.
There are still many outdated trainers out there that advocate
asserting your dominance over your dog in a bid to make your dog conform to a lower position in the pack.
Do not pet the dog on her head or back during greeting (this is a subtle form of
asserting dominance over dogs).
Not exact matches
Although they are a small
dog, Jack Russell's can often be bossy, it is not uncommon to see the Jack Russell
asserting dominance over a larger
dog.
Additional studies on shelter
dogs have shown that attempts to «
assert dominance»
over dogs results in an increase in aggression.
Contrary to popular belief, aggressive
dogs are NOT trying to
assert their
dominance over their canine or human «pack», according to a new study.