Socializing a pooch with other dogs is always a great way to start when it comes gauging a dog’s station in a “pack”. The more he or she is at play with others the better to determine if you dog is submissive or dominant.

Here are several things to watch out for:

Dominant dogs
•Mounting other dogs (male or female, it doesn’t matter)
•Stealing or guarding toys and food
•Getting attention from all the other dogs — even when they don’t want it
•Pushing their way to the front whenever walking with other dogs
•Making other dogs wait for them
•Almost never licking other dogs on the mouth
•Always winning when the dogs play tug-of-war
•Starting staring contests — and winning all of them

Submissive dogs
•Sometimes showing submissive urination when greeting other dogs
•Turning away when other dogs stare
•Allowing other dogs to win at tug-of-war
•Providing attention and affection to other dogs, especially by licking their mouths
•Backing off when other dogs want to take food or toys
•Rolling on their backs to display their belly

The above is just a guide. Some pooches fall right in the middle, showing a few dominate traits and maybe a couple submissive – or visa versa. But you can pretty much guage your dog's leanings simply by watching them.

We pretty much new our beagle's leanings when we saw him charge up to a much larger German Shepherd, growling and barking as if the size of his opponent was not an issue! Thank goodness the shepherd was a submissive!

For more information please go on over to Cesar's Way. And remember, a dog either being aggressive or submissive is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as you take control – either way – all it’s good!