Dogs are extremely adept at taking cues from their owners, and your
pooch will quickly claim the position of "alpha dog" -- literally, 
the leader of the pack, if you don't.
Having your pet as the alpha dog in the home could be a really stressful situation. The dog will know that he has more power than you do, and that he is the one in control of what goes on in the house. If he wants to chew the pillows, he'll chew them. If he wants to dig in the backyard, he'll dig. If he wants to ignore you when you're calling for him to come, well, you get the idea. All your training and plans for a well-behaved animal companion will disappear.
One thing you should always do to stop any sign of dog domination is make sure he knows you're in control at all times. If he gets away with something even once, he'll learn the behavior and repeat it again. If you give in to his whining under your chair at dinnertime, he'll learn that all it takes to get bites from your plate is whining. If he growls when you're trying to take something from him and you then back away, he'll learn that all he has to do is growl to get his own way.
Help for Dog Domination
Often a professional trainer can be an invaluable resource for new pet owners dealing with dog domination. A trainer can help you set boundaries immediately with your dog, and also teach you how to correct and reward your dog for behaviors. Some things to keep in mind:
- Physical violence doesn't assert your position as top dog. Hitting or kicking your dog will only make him afraid of you, not breed an environment of trust and companionship.
If you need to correct your dog, always be firm but calm, and never move to hurt the dog physically for bad behavior.
- If your dog ever tries to dominate you by growling, bristling his ears, or baring his teeth, don't accept it from him. Tell him "No" firmly and calmly or put him in another room for a few minutes, but don't act intimidated or frightened.
- A dog that is consistently aggressive or that continually tries to dominate you in a serious way needs immediate retraining and professional correction. Check your local yellow pages for dog trainers, or ask your vet for a reputable expert.
The key to a trusting and caring relationship with your pet, free of dog domination issues, is to be consistent, kind, and fair -- and to always let him know you're the boss.
