Why Dogs Treat Owners as Their Alpha: The Unspoken Bond

This kind of behavior is a common misconception about the status of dogs in Chinese households. To put it simply, dogs often perceive themselves as the top dog in the family, while you're just their understudy.

Watch out for the following signs in your dog that may indicate a power struggle:

Excessive Barking

Dogs, especially small breeds, may bark out of a sense of security. However, if your dog barks continuously at the slightest noise, especially when strangers enter the home, it's a red flag for dog owners. The logic is straightforward: the dog views this as its territory, and every new person must be inspected.

Jumping on Beds or Sofas Without Permission

While it's not uncommon for dogs to be allowed on furniture, be particularly vigilant if your dog suddenly starts climbing onto beds or sofas, especially when you've explicitly forbidden it. This sudden change in behavior is something that should not be overlooked.

Resource Guarding

This is a problem that many new dog owners face. Dogs are fiercely protective of their territory and food, much like you might feel when someone unexpected asks you to cook for them. Even though the dog knows you're family, you become the stranger in its mind, the one who might take its food at any moment.

Not Allowing Touch

Dogs may become defensive about certain sensitive areas, like their tails or heads. Imagine a pack leader allowing any subordinate to touch its head; it's a recipe for disaster. Only the leader can touch its followers, and any subordinate that dares to do so risks serious consequences.

Behaviors Often Misinterpreted as Estrus

Most dog owners with even a basic understanding of canine behavior know that male dogs can become aroused yearround, while female dogs go into heat twice a year. Many mistakenly interpret the dog's nuzzling and humping as signs of estrus, but the real intent is to assert dominance or remind you of its superior status.

Aggressive Leash Pulling

This is a behavior that can't be corrected with just a training collar. Dog handlers know that a fundamental rule is that the dog should never pull ahead of the owner during walks. If you've ever watched dog agility competitions, you'll notice that dogs don't pull their handlers; it's a clear sign of respect.

Accidents on Beds and Sofas

Some owners worry when their dogs urinate on the bed, thinking it might be a sign of illness. However, if your dog is unwell, it may urinate or defecate in various places around the house. If your dog only uses the bed, it's a declaration of its territory, or possibly a challenge to your authority, especially if it was previously wellbehaved.

In conclusion, when a dog starts using the bed as a bathroom, it's a crucial sign that the battle for dominance has begun.