Dominance theory is one of the most persistent myths in dog behaviour. Owners are often told that dogs pull on leash, jump on people, guard food, growl, ignore cues, or sleep on furniture because they are trying to be “dominant.” The usual advice is to become the “pack leader.” This sounds simple, but it is usually wrong. Most behaviour problems are better explained by fear, frustration, anxiety, pain, learning history, lack of training, or a mismatch between normal dog behav

Many people want a simple explanation for a dog’s behaviour problem. A Border Collie chases cars because it is a Border Collie. A German Shepherd barks at strangers because it is protective. A Labrador steals food because Labradors love food. A mixed-breed dog is reactive because someone thinks they can see a certain breed in its face. These explanations are tempting because they feel clear, but they are incomplete. Breed and genetics matter, but breed alone is never enough t