Is it possible to be a dominant dog, but also a scaredy cat?

Question

I guess I associate dominant with "toughness", but my baby girl shows all the signs of dominance, yet she is scared of the vacuum, the broom, the hair dryer, plastic bags being rustled... (she's a cutie pie)... anyways, just wondering, even though I think probably since they must be two different things? Thanks

Answer 1

I think you are confusing 2 issues here, dominance has nothing to do with being afraid of things outside our natural environment. I am considered a dominant female at work but put me on a bus and I'm out of my element. A lion walking across the Serengeti is afraid of nothing, put him in the center of an 8 lane highway you will have a different animal.

Answer 2

Yes they can be a dominant dog, and be scared of all that stuff, I have a lab and he is terifide of the vacuum. So don't worry he protects us lots.

Answer 3

Dominance is over other dogs, means the leader, the superior. She's still the women in charge, just scared of somethings......

Answer 4

My large hound is dominant..She is brave enough to take on a bear, but afraid of loud noises..not of storms and such, but the vacuum cleaner, or something that I drop, or that sounds loud when it breaks, etc..

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

My dog is exactly the same way. These things emit a pitch that drives them nuts.

Answer 7

yeah

Answer 8

oh yea