10 Signs That Your Dog Sees You as an Equal or a Subordinate
Dogs, by nature, are pack animals, and within any pack, there’s a hierarchy. Their social structure revolves around a concept of dominance and submission. As their owner, you should be seen as the leader—someone who provides food, shelter, and guidance.
Sometimes, they might try to challenge this dynamic by testing boundaries. Sometimes their behaviour can signal that they view you as an equal—or even a subordinate. Here are some of the signs:
If your dog routinely ignores basic commands like "sit," "stay," or "come," they might see you as an equal or subordinate rather than a leader. A dog that respects your authority will generally listen to commands, especially when they’ve been properly trained. If your dog often disregards you, it could indicate they don’t see you as someone to follow.
In a dog pack, leaders typically go first when moving through doorways or narrow spaces. If your dog regularly tries to push ahead of you through doors or gates, it might be their way of asserting dominance. Dogs that view their owners as equals may feel entitled to move ahead of them without waiting for permission.
Your dog may take over key areas in your home, such as your favourite chair, your bed, or other spaces where you normally sit or relax. While this can also be a sign of affection, if your dog shows no inclination to move when asked or behaves possessively, it could indicate that they view themselves on the same level—or higher—within the social hierarchy.
4. Demanding Attention
When a dog sees you as their equal or subordinate, they might become more demanding of your attention. They may nudge, bark, or paw at you until you respond to their needs, expecting you to comply immediately. In contrast, a dog that sees you as a leader will often wait more patiently for attention or playtime, understanding that you set the terms.
Sometimes, dogs may show aggressive behaviours like growling or snapping when they feel they are the leader of the pack, and you are not. If your dog becomes possessive over food, toys, or spaces and reacts negatively when you try to intervene, this could be a sign they think they’re in charge. Aggression in response to boundaries or corrections is a clear indication that your dog doesn’t view you as the leader.
Mounting, or humping, is not always sexual. It can also be a sign of dominance. If your dog attempts to mount you or other household members, it may be asserting its authority over you. This behaviour suggests the dog may not fully accept your position as the leader of the household.
A dog that pulls ahead on walks without paying attention to you might see themselves as the one in charge of the outing. If your dog leads the way, ignores your pace, and doesn’t respond to leash corrections, this could be a sign they see you as an equal or subordinate rather than a guide.
Marking territory by urinating inside your home—especially in areas you frequent—can be a way for a dog to assert dominance. This behaviour often indicates that the dog believes they need to claim their space, which could suggest they don’t see you as the one in control.
A dog that guards its food, toys, or even certain people may see you as a rival for those resources. This behaviour, known as resource guarding, shows that the dog doesn’t trust you to control or distribute valued items and might view you as lower in the pack hierarchy.
If you have established certain rules—such as staying off the furniture or not jumping up on people—and your dog only follows them selectively, they may view themselves as an equal, following the rules only when they feel like it. Dogs that see their owners as leaders will usually follow rules consistently, knowing they are non-negotiable.
4 Ways to Reestablish Leadership
If your dog exhibits the above signs, you can reestablish your leadership with consistent training and clear boundaries:
2. Control Resources
You control the food, toys, and playtime. Make sure your dog knows that good behaviour leads to rewards.
3. Leash Training
Keep your dog walking by your side rather than pulling ahead. There are several techniques that we will address in another article.
With the right training and structure, your dog will respect you as the leader of the pack and build a more balanced relationship.
Robin Logan,
RSHom