Dog behavior
Dog behavior refers to the instincts that influence how a dog would react to any given situation or stimulus as determined by genetics and the environment.
Many books and articles have shared the common knowledge that dogs are pack animals. They prefer a social lifestyle similar to a human family. This truth does not always clarify the fact that dogs do vary in their pack drives or that their pack structure is not static. Lower pack drive or more independence will mean that companionship and attention do not typically rate highly as motivators.
In fact, dogs need to learn how to play. Indeed, of all the drives listed, play drive seems to be the one that is not inherently part of every dog's genetic make up. For wolves and other wild canids, play is the educational mechanism for puppies. For a domesticated dog, these behaviors are not as critical.
A dog possessed with a strong prey drive will often be found reacting to virtually anything that moves. Prey drive is an important component to many aspects of a dog's personality, social behavior, work and play.
Self preservation drives can include simple behaviors like avoidance and even hiding. This basic instinctual drive, to avoid and prevent the unpleasant, is based in the instinct to survive. As such, a dog taught to learn to accept and enjoy a wide variety of experiences helps assure that its responses are appropriate. Inappropriate responses are generally referred to as "sharp-shy," anxiety or fear-based aggression or aggressive posturing, among others.
Connections to wolves and other pack animals
Dog behavior is a almost a mirror reflection of wolf behavior, just changed slightly because of many new hard wired instincts which correspond with life with Homo sapiens. Dogs along with wolves, pigs and even primitive humans all share the same wish to lead. A dog's instinct for dominance may be fueled by mating rights or more probably food.
Dog behavior with humans
Multiple studies have shown that, although some dogs may appear to be submissive to their owners, the majority claim dominance over their owners. Behaviors that show dominance are food aggression, excessive territorial marking, territorial defense, and for smaller dogs panic when a new person enters an area.
Dominance in different breeds
Dominating behavior in dog breeds varies greatly, from more subtle bluffing in larger dogs to aggressive yapping and nipping in smaller breeds. Dominance in small dogs is often thought to be similar to the Napolean complex but really is the dominating instinct plus the fear of being insufficient to protect its pack and itself.
Territory
Territory is a major part in male dog psychology but is almost absent in females. Marking with scent and urine marks is the main way of non-aggressive territorial domination.
Food
Food aggression is not void in any species of animal and is shared by both the wolves and dogs alike. In the wolf pack and in the urban pack, which in the dog's mind is made up of himself, his owner, etc, food is solely belonging to the pack leader and no other member may attempt to take food in the same area while the pack leader is feasting. Such behavior in dogs is often mistaken to be a problem in different breeds but it is really a instinct which is found in all dogs.
Dominating behaviors
Forced submission
A dominant dog or a dog attempting to become dominant forces another dog to roll on its back and expose its vulnerable throat and underside. The paws are drawn into the body. This is often accompanied by whimpering.
Eye contact (dominant stare)
Eye contact can be used as a threat challenge of even an act of dominance. A dog will stare at the opponent's eyes.
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Tail up
Tail up can mean one of two things: excitement and dominance. It has been theorized that some breeds naturally have their tail up and therefore that behavior has no connection to dominance in certain breeds.
