How to Discipline a Domineering Dog

Living with a dominant dog can potentially be dangerous to other animals and people in the household. If your dog displays the desire to be in charge, adjust your relationship with him. Make him understand that he's the follower and you're the leader. Properly disciplining your domineering dog is essential to correct his behavior.

  1. Put Your Dog in Time-Out

    • Removing your dog from the room and confining him to a crate for 10 to 15 minutes is a proper disciplinary action to combat dominant behavior. Use this form of discipline when your dog repeats unwanted behavior multiple times after being corrected. Dogs enjoy socializing. By isolating your dominant pet companion you teach him that his behavior is unacceptable. As an alternative, you can also confine your dog to a small room in the house.

    Incorporate Verbal Corrections

    • When your dog displays dominant behavior, such as staring back at you without looking away, use a verbal command to stop him in his tracks. Firmly tell him "No" or "Back off" and praise him when he gives in and submissively looks away. Be consistent when disciplining your dog's undesirable behavior. Sporadically disciplining your pet companion is not effective. Have all family members use the same disciplinary action and verbal commands to properly get the message across to your dog.

    Leash Your Dog

    • If your domineering dog companion has a hard time following orders, place a long drag line on his collar. A 10-foot drag line allows your dog to wander around the room and makes it easy for you to discipline him. When your dog jumps on the couch, pull the leash to get him down. When it's feeding time, tie him to a doorknob until you've put down his food. Untie him and allow him to eat. These actions show your dog that you're the one who's in control -- you're the leader.

    Physically Reprimanding Your Dog

    • Physically hitting and slapping a dominant dog is not a form of proper discipline. It can worsen the problem and damage your relationship with your dog. The strongest physical disciplinary action you can use on a dominant dog is the alpha roll. This form of discipline requires you to pin your dog on his side, on the floor. One hand holds his head down by the collar while the other hand holds his hips down. The alpha roll must be your last resort and should only be used for the most serious violations.