Being social animals, dogs are in their element when they are around people and other dogs, and interacting with them. They are also pack animals, which means they have the natural tendency to occupy the rungs of a social ladder in the home. Knowing their rank and respecting the alpha leader who occupies the topmost rung will help keep harmony within the pack.

Dominant dogs usually occupy the upper rung of the ladder, making lower ranked dogs nervous in their presence. This is often displayed when a dog likes to establish his dominance by bullying other dogs.

Early socialization is a very important factor in developing the self-confidence of dogs. Pets that feel well-loved and adequately socialized have been found to possess better self-confidence. On the other hand, those that suffered abuse or experienced neglect often become timid as they lose their self-confidence.

If you are having problems with the behavior of your dog, do not hesitate to seek help from a San Jose, CA veterinarian. Click on this link to know more.