How to Make My Dog Less Dominant Towards Other Dogs

Everyone wants their puppy or dog to be well-behaved and well-trained. This kind of behavior does not happen on its own though. Dogs must be taught obedience and good behavior, as well as be socialized with other dogs. This allows them the opportunity to learn to not be aggressive and stop displaying dominant behavior toward other dogs. Teaching a dog to act less dominant toward other dogs will take some time, but with consistent use, will result in a happy, obedient, non-dominant, non-aggressive dog a pet owner can be proud to take to the dog park.

Instructions

    • 1

      Enroll the puppy or dog in obedience classes. These classes are offered at many local pet stores. Teach the dog to sit, stay, lie down and heel for him to learn to listen to the commands from his owner. Learning to listen to commands is the first step in stopping aggressive and dominant behavior when it occurs.

    • 2

      Socialize the dog with other dogs in a neutral zone where he will not feel threatened. A dog park or a local pet store is an effective, neutral setting to allow a puppy to become accustomed to other dogs. Because it is natural for an older dog to behave dominantly toward other dogs who come to his home, do not attempt to teach him how to be less dominant at home, unless the dog is still young.

    • 3

      Continue training the puppy or dog to help the dog become less dominant and/or aggressive toward other dogs. Do not stop the obedience training classes until the instructor believes the dog has learned new, positive behaviors. Regularly expose the dog to other dogs so that he doesn't revert to old behaviors upon future meetings with other dogs.

    • 4

      Teach the dog to keep his attention on the owner to reduce the opportunities for possible dominant behavior to occur. Engage the dog in simple stationary or moving exercises, such as jogging or fetching, while speaking commands to him. This will teach the dog to focus on the owner's commands even while distracted.

    • 5

      Keep the dog from being overstimulated which can lead to aggressive or dominant behavior. Do not bring the dog around many different dogs in several different settings during the same day or even the same week. Do not take the dog around other dogs unless he is well-rested and recently fed. A dog is more likely to behave aggressively when he is frustrated, tired or hungry.