Dominance Aggression?
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC Veterinary Behaviorist
You need to establish dominance over your dog so he’ll know that you’re the boss? Ah, no, you don’t. Dogs are not man’s and woman’s best friends because they fear us. In fact, they love us when our leadership inspires trust and security. In reality it’s actually quite rare. Man’s and woman’s best friends are genetically programmed to be deferential to us, earning pretty much everything they need from their human leaders. There is a dominance hierarchy within groups of them but we don’t call the head honcho alpha. This label came from early studies on wolves – wild animals.
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About the author
Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC is a residency trained veterinary behaviorist whose practice is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of behavior disorders of dogs and cats. With extensive experience in general practice and behavior medicine, he works with pet parents to tailor practical, individualized treatment plans to improve the well-being of pets and their people.
Dr. Nichol regularly writes about the treatment of behavior problems, including anxiety, aggression, fear, separation, house soiling, and other common concerns in companion pets.
