Dog Dominance or Submission
March 26th 2010 17:19
In a lot of cases, dogs are a little bit of both, which really doesn't make since as you would think that a dog will either be dominant or submissive. Well, in all reality that is true, but dogs will show signs of one or the other in different situations. A dog who is normally quite submissive to adults, may be a little dominant to children if in the situation or position.
The breed of the dog, age, or gender isn't going to pre-determine whether the dog will be dominant or submissive. Not all Mastiffs and Bull Terriers will be dominant, and not all Poodles will be submissive. The temperament of the dog will vary on the individual dog.
Just make sure that you are prepared. Those pet parents who have little experience training, socializing, and caring for dogs do not have any business caring for a dominant dog. A dominant dog will feel out the worry and inexperience and could quite possibly become more dominant.
The same goes for people who bring home a dog that is a breed or mix of a breed commonly referred to as a "bully breed." Even if the dog itself is very docile and submissive, if the dog feels that he can overpower the owner because the owner is showing fear of he dog's breed, the dog may take it. Not all breeds are for all people. Poodles, yorkies, labs, terriers, and retrievers will also assert their dominance over a person who they see is more submissive than they are. Breed does not determine whether or not the dog will try to assert any dominance (even on a typically submissive dog).
The breed of the dog, age, or gender isn't going to pre-determine whether the dog will be dominant or submissive. Not all Mastiffs and Bull Terriers will be dominant, and not all Poodles will be submissive. The temperament of the dog will vary on the individual dog.
Just make sure that you are prepared. Those pet parents who have little experience training, socializing, and caring for dogs do not have any business caring for a dominant dog. A dominant dog will feel out the worry and inexperience and could quite possibly become more dominant.
The same goes for people who bring home a dog that is a breed or mix of a breed commonly referred to as a "bully breed." Even if the dog itself is very docile and submissive, if the dog feels that he can overpower the owner because the owner is showing fear of he dog's breed, the dog may take it. Not all breeds are for all people. Poodles, yorkies, labs, terriers, and retrievers will also assert their dominance over a person who they see is more submissive than they are. Breed does not determine whether or not the dog will try to assert any dominance (even on a typically submissive dog).
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Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Whitney
The Female View
Pet Advice
Tech Stripe
Alternative Look
The easy thing to do is to give the dog up, and if you're not willing to train, then that's what is best for the dog.
I don't mean to sound rude, but you can't expect a puppy to be perfect without knowing any better. He needs obedience training. At 5 months, the dog should have been training since day one.
I can't tell you what the dog is trying to do, as I don't know when he's nipping pants. Sometimes what comes right before or after and the time of day and routine can be a cause. Sometimes it's to get attention. Sometimes it's because he doesn't know any better. It could be how you act while the dog is doing it or after; you may be praising the dog when you're intent is to scold.