How to Establish Dominance Over a Female Dog

As a dog owner, it is imperative for you to be the pack leader. Your female companion should listen to you and obey your commands. Running away, biting and urinating in the house are some examples of behaviors you need to overcome. Get your whole family involved in the training process. Your pet should listen to all family members, including children in the home.

  1. Dominance

    • When your dog acts aggressively or dominant, she may not fully trust you as her pack leader. You need to work with her to gain her trust and enforce rules. Your pooch wants to please you and make you happy. As a dominant leader, you should give your dog a command only one time. Repeating yourself over and over while your dog is not paying attention, diminishes your image as the boss. If you want your dog to sit, make sure you make solid eye contact with her, tell her to sit and make the appropriate hand gesture. Maintaining eye contact while training and giving commands helps let your pooch know that you are the dominant pack leader.

    Loose-Leash Walking

    • If you take your dog out for a walk and she stays in front of you, tugs and pulls, she may not acknowledge you as the dominant leader. Whether your pooch is a puppy or a full-grown dog, she needs to follow you on a walk. Put your dog on her leash and take her to the front door. Make her sit and do not let her out of the door until you allow her to go. When you get outside, the leash between you and your dog should be loose with no tension. If she gets excited and runs off or tugs, stop. Make her sit or stand next to you and then continue to walk. In the beginning, you may only walk a few steps at a time. As you continue to practice, you will be able to walk longer distances. Since you are the pack leader, she should be looking back at you during the walk and keeping up with the pace you set.

    Petting and Handling

    • Throughout your dog's life, she will come into contact with kids, veterinarians, groomers and other new people. Any of these people should be able to touch your dog without her growling or biting. Establish dominance by comfortably handling your furry family member each day. Pick up her paws and gently tug on each of her toenails, look into her ears and brush her hindquarters. If she growls or seems tense, stop for a moment. Start up again when she relaxes and offer her a treat for good behavior. It may take some time for her to get used to being handled, so be sure to use plenty of positive affirmations and treats during the process.

    Potty Training

    • Mastering canine potty training is an essential part of being a solid pack leader. Female dogs do not usually lift their legs on your furniture the way male dogs do, but they may still go to the bathroom in the house. If your pooch does not respect you, she may pee on your bed or defecate on your favorite rug. Start by getting your dog on a feeding schedule. Puppies have to relieve themselves 30 to 60 minutes after eating, explains Dr. Gary L. Clemons, an Ohio-based veterinarian. If you feed her dinner at 6 p.m., you need to take her outside between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Put her on her leash and take her to a designated potty area outside. This way you can praise her while she is going potty so it is a positive experience for her. As you perfect your potty training techniques, your dog will gain respect for you and relieve herself in the appropriate areas.