20d • Infographics & Carousels
The Pack Leader
Dominance is one of the most misunderstood words in dog behaviour.
Not because social influence does not exist.
But because the term is often used to explain every difficult behaviour.
Dominance is not fear.
It is not anxiety.
It is not aggression.
Aggression is aggression.
Dominance, through an applied ethology lens, is better understood as influence over access to resources.
And importantly: that influence is fluid.
One dog may move another away from the couch because they are resting.
Later, the other dog may control access to dropped food.
Another may defer entirely in different contexts.
That is social negotiation.
Not “trying to take over the household.”
Dogs are also captive domesticated animals.
Humans control almost all major resources:
• Food
• Space
• Movement
• Access
• Resting areas
• Social opportunities
Which means relationships and resource access are constantly shifting depending on:
• Context
• Value
• Emotional state
• Reinforcement history
• Environment
Fluid social influence reduces conflict.
Oversimplifying behaviour into: “the dog is dominant”
often stops people from looking at what is actually happening in front of them.
Good behaviour work asks:
“What is influencing this behaviour right now?”
Not:
“How do I overpower the dog?”
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