Their reproduction is limited by their owners, not by instinct, and their attitudes towards squabbles depends on breed and circumstances, not on a need to save themselves for the hunt. However, from Chihuahua to Great Dane, they do retain some smattering of pack drives that require owners to exert some authority or risk developing their pet into a four-footed king of the realm. That moderate dusting of wolf behavior inherited by puppies gives dog owners a valuable tool for teaching pet manners and eliminating unacceptable conduct. The pack is a hierarchy of power. Every human in the family has more power than the dog.
Every dog has to respect the hierarchy of power in the household.
Submissive dogs will do so willingly, but domineering dogs can be a problem. And even the tiniest Chihuahua can have an imperious attitude. There are no exceptions to the rule. It does no good if Mom wields an iron fist in a velvet glove and Dad and kids let Fido rule the roost. The plan To prevent Fido from becoming king of the castle, owners need to assert their leadership through tough love.