How to Raise a Dominant Puppy

A dominant puppy that thinks it's the boss can be trouble for you later on. When dominant behaviors are left uncorrected they can manifest until your dog believes it is the leader of your pack. With proper structure and discipline in the home, puppy owners are able to correct dominant behaviors before they take over, and realign the level of dominance so that the puppy understands that you are the alpha.

Things You'll Need

  • Training treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Teach your puppy that you are the leader. Do not allow your puppy to get in front of you when you walk. Instead, keep the puppy to your side and train it to follow your move. When you stop the puppy should also stop. When you walk forward the puppy should move with you.

    • 2

      Feed your puppy after you have eaten your meal. Showing the puppy that you eat first is essential in establishing the dominance role in the home. This teaches the puppy that it must wait for you before it is allowed to eat. In the canine hierarchal structure the dominant dogs eat first. After you have finished eating, feed your puppy.

    • 3

      Give your puppy a designated bed. Do not allow your puppy -- no matter how cute and cuddly -- to sleep with you on your bed. Such behavior will reinforce the puppy's sense of dominance over you. In the canine world the dominant member of the pack sleeps in the best resting spot.

    • 4

      Do not let your puppy enter the house before you do. If the two of you are playing outside, make the puppy sit and wait as you walk through the doors first, and then the puppy shall follow. This obedient behavior may be challenging to teach, so find a training technique that works effectively for you. Some people use the click-and-reward system while others might only use training collars.

    • 5

      Correct the puppy when it does something disobedient or dominant. Some behaviors to look for include jumping up to the counters, trying to be taller than you, jumping onto the furniture without getting your permission first and mounting. Neglecting to discipline your puppy will result in the puppy thinking it can get away with being dominant. By establishing rules for your puppy you are letting it know that it is not the alpha, but such disciplines must be consistent.

    • 6

      Reward your puppy when it follows your commands. Give it positive reinforcement by physical touch and training treats.