The definition of dominance is “who controls access.” Using physical force is not necessary to accomplish this. If a three-year-old child has her hand on the doorknob, she is dominant because she controls whether the dog goes in or out.

If she is holding a ball, in the dog’s eyes, she is dominant because she controls access to the ball. So dominance doesn’t mean who is bigger or stronger … although that sometimes plays a part.

It simply means setting up your environment so that you control access to things your dog wants and he has to look to you to get what he wants.

You control the food, affection, toys, social freedom, climate control, and everything else in his universe. There is no negotiation.

In effect, you are saying, “I will give you the world, but you have got to do something for me first.” When the dog figures this out, you simply ask the dog to do something before providing the reward, whether it be food, chasing a ball, going outside, etc.

For many years, concepts about hierarchy within the canine world led to the idea that one dog in the pack is the top ranking “alpha dog” and that that dog is dominant in all situations.

Fast Start Training Tips - Paul Owens with Norma Eckroate.