09/12/2024
Dominance – Submission
Submissive behaviour and dominance go hand in hand – this is very misunderstood concept!! Dominance is often seen as bad or unpleasant or perhaps linked to aggression but this is not really the truth of it at all! Dominance and submission form a relationship dynamic between individuals in a fleeting moment rather than describing a ‘type of dog’. A single dog can show dominant behaviour in one context and submissive behaviour in another, and although some breeds are more predisposed towards showing dominance often, or conversely, showing submission often this does not dictate his constant state. Nor does it dictate fear or aggression.
Dominance and submission are like a dance and virtually all communal species have evolved to show this dynamic to some extent, even us! The dynamic is designed to maintain harmony and peaceful interaction in a family or social group, and it is a requirement for dogs - some more than others - to live together. When it's working well stress is low and it is virtually invisible unless you know what to look for.
Where one person or animal shows dominant body language the counterpart is much more likely to automatically show submissive body language, along with this comes hormonal fluctuations and something known as biofeedback which ensures that dominance increases in the dominant party with each interaction, and submission increases or is maintained in the submissive party too - thus widening the ‘gap’ between roles between a pair of social animals. In this way harmony is assured and encounters are predictable so both parties are happy and content with the security that this brings. This is more overt at first meetings and happens constantly – watch people on the news and you will see what I mean – where one person shows really large forward body language; hands on hips or open/forward stance, the other will present as more ‘closed in’ to compliment the energy - by clutching hands together or leaning their weight slightly perhaps. This is how we are able to get along in polite society – we complement each other’s energy to maintain peaceful interaction completely subconsciously.
If both parties are showing large body language, then there may be an altercation or some tension!
Whether our domestic dogs show dominance is always under scrutiny by laypeople and hobbyists, but we do know that many land, air and sea based species that are geared towards living in a large family group do use dominance submission as a survival tool to maintain harmony and avoid conflict. When we look at it this way it makes a lot of sense that our dogs would show this interaction too.
So what does this dance look like in dogs?
Dominant postures are upright, forward going and often controlling of a situation so we see upright stance, forward ears and direct eye contact whereas submissive postures are usually smaller, lower to the ground and show non- challenging language. Licking, looking up at the social partner, ears back, rolling onto the back and even sometimes urination can be seen, this is all a way of saying ‘I am no threat’ and this looks a lot like puppy behaviour. When your dog does that whole body wag? That's a clear sign of submissive greeting.
Sometimes a confident older dog will lay down and make themselves appear less threatening – this is usually to access social contact or elicit play with a less confident dog – this isn’t really submission though and we can see twinkling eyes and usually an open tail position and direct eye contact! It does however fulfil its aim of eliciting play as it will often put the other less confident dog at ease. Many people feel that this is a way to ‘reassure’ the other dog for the others benefit, but in reality I don’t think dogs think in this way, it is probably just a tactic to get what they want! At the end of the day pheromones and hormones can be easily read through scent so ‘acting’ or ‘bluffing’ through body language wouldn’t be of much benefit in close quarters, but clear communication would, and as what is successful is repeated it is entirely possible for a balanced dog to manipulate an interaction in this way. This is not to be confused with genuine submission however and this doesn’t (in my experience) occur where there is a genuine threat to safety from the counterpart dog – if it did this would go against self-preservation at a basic level.
Contrary to common belief there is no ‘better state’ to be in and although ‘dominance’ has been misused and misapplied through the years it is not negative or bad in any way where it is calm and confident in context. The same goes for submission – when shown without fear or stress this is a lovely gesture of trust and respect. It is a great relief to those nervous and often submissive dogs to have some solid guidance and leadership around, this allows them to relax into a low stress role, find clear boundaries and feel secure and cared for. Without an authority figure a naturally submissive dog can feel driven to take on a role of dominance and responsibility that they are really not prepared or suited for, and this is where we see stress levels rise with the pressure to ‘look after’ not only other members of the group, but themselves. This stress arises because dogs are social - they need a solid safe group with rules and structure as do all social species.
So the kindest thing to do for an insecure, fearful, ‘submissive type’ dog, an 'assertive dominant' type, an excitable or shut down dog, ANY dog living in this human world, is to make good decisions for them, clearly describe what you want, what you don't want, and set boundaries using binary feedback in a 'Yes' and 'No' way, so that he can learn to make good decisions for himself. This opens up lines of communication, explains the rules to live by in our social group and the wider world, and avoids conflict and danger.
We really need to take our responsibility for the life of our dogs seriously. Because we are responsible for them, their behaviour, and their happiness from the moment they arrive with us until the day they die. This is a true kindness and will boost confidence and relaxation no end! Dominance describes the decision making role that comes with leadership - and submission is freely given to those that are worthy of it.
