Is Your Dog Really Trying to Take Over? The Truth About Dominance Theory

Think your dog is trying to be the boss? Dominance theory is outdated and unfair on dogs. Here’s why it’s been debunked and what works instead.

What is Dominance Theory?

You might have heard phrases like “your dog is trying to dominate you,” “they’re testing you,” or “you need to show them who’s boss.” These ideas come from dominance theory in dog training, which suggests dogs are constantly trying to move up a social ladder to take control of your household.

Dominance theory claims that if you let your dog walk through doors first, eat before you, or get on the sofa, they’ll believe they’re in charge, and that misbehaviour happens because your dog is challenging your authority.

For many years, trainers and dog owners believed this was true. But this idea is based on old, flawed science and has been widely debunked.

Where Did Dominance Theory Come From?

Dominance theory comes from research in the 1940s that studied captive wolves in zoos. In those settings, unrelated wolves were kept in confined spaces, leading to frequent conflicts and a clear, aggressive hierarchy where the strongest wolf appeared to dominate the others to maintain control.

Early researchers concluded that wolves live in a constant state of competition for “alpha” status and that this explained how dogs behave too, leading to the belief that we need to dominate our dogs to prevent them from dominating us.

However, this research had serious flaws:

It studied unrelated wolves in unnatural conditions, creating tension that would not typically occur in the wild.
It ignored natural wolf family structures, where wolves live in cooperative family groups with parents guiding and caring for their young.
It assumed that dogs, simply because they are descended from wolves, would behave in exactly the same way.

Later studies on wild wolves (not in captivity) revealed that wolf packs are family units, with parents leading through guidance and care, not force. Additionally, our domestic dogs have evolved separately for thousands of years, developing behaviours that are deeply tied to human companionship rather than strict pack hierarchies.

Why Dominance Theory Doesn’t Hold Up in Training

When dogs pull on the lead, jump up, or ignore a recall, it is not a sign that they are trying to dominate you. Instead, these behaviours usually happen because:

🐾 They have learned that these behaviours work. For example, pulling on the lead gets them closer to exciting smells, and jumping up gets attention.

🐾 They are distracted or overstimulated. If your dog can’t listen in a busy environment, it’s not defiance, but a sign they need more gradual training around distractions.

🐾 They haven’t fully learned what is expected of them. Training requires consistent practice in different places, and behaviours need reinforcing in various contexts before a dog can respond reliably.

🐾 Emotional state matters. A worried, overexcited, or tired dog may find it hard to concentrate, just like we do.

Dominance theory suggests that these behaviours are a power grab, but in reality, they are learning and communication issues, not challenges to your authority.

The Harm in Dominance-Based Approaches

When we believe dogs are trying to dominate us, it often leads to using punishment, force, or intimidation to “correct” behaviours. This can:

🚫 Cause stress and anxiety in dogs, leading to fear-based behaviours.
🚫 Damage the trust and bond between you and your dog.
🚫 Suppress behaviours temporarily rather than teaching your dog what you would like them to do instead.
🚫 Risk increasing aggression if a dog feels threatened.

For example, using harsh lead corrections or pinning a dog to the ground (as some “alpha roll” methods suggest) can result in a dog becoming defensive or fearful, and does nothing to teach them calmly how to walk on a loose lead or greet politely.

What Works Better?

Modern, evidence-based dog training focuses on cooperation, clear communication, and positive reinforcement. Instead of trying to dominate dogs, we guide them, reinforce behaviours we like, and set them up for success.

✅ Teach what you want your dog to do, such as walking nicely on a lead, sitting to greet people, or coming when called, in small steps with rewards for success.

✅ Manage the environment to prevent unwanted behaviours while training, using tools like long lines for recall training and harnesses for lead work.

✅ Practise gradually in different environments so your dog can learn to respond even with distractions.

✅ Understand your dog’s emotional state. If your dog is too excited or worried, focus on helping them feel calm before asking for behaviours.

✅ Build a trusting relationship, where your dog feels safe to learn and make choices without fear of punishment.

Training is not about “winning” or “losing.” It is about building a partnership, helping your dog understand what you would like them to do, and making it rewarding and worthwhile for them to do it.

Your Dog Isn’t Trying to Be the Boss

Your dog isn’t planning a household takeover. They are simply responding to the world with the skills, understanding, and emotions they have in that moment.

When we let go of the myth that we need to dominate our dogs, we can train in a way that is fair, kind, and effective, allowing our dogs to become confident, happy companions.

Need Help?

If you would like to move away from dominance-based myths and towards a relationship built on trust and clear communication with your dog, I would love to help.

At Connected Canines, I specialise in positive, ethical training for gundogs and active family dogs, helping you build skills without intimidation.

📩 Get in touch to book your 1:1 or group training session today and discover a better way to train your dog.