[quote1326747935=davidfitness83] When does dominance become a display of insecurity. [..] But how can you decipher if a dog is really rank driven or if it is just acting tough to hide it's insecurity and instability?[/quote1326747935] One way is to observe the other dog(s). Do they willingly and happily submit to a dog's dominance or do they act irritated or appalled. Dogs can sense insecurity very well. However, in my personal experience the BEST judgement of insecurity belongs hands-down to wolves. I once had an encounter of my well trained SchH GSD with a pack of captive wolves. One female approached me and my GSD and "scanned his brain" with an indescribably intense stare. After a brief moment she turned around in disgust and walked away; none of the wolves even acknowledged his presence there after. My dog was great and all, but deep down I knew he wasn't the most secure (by birth), he turned out to be an exceptional dog nevertheless due to heavy socialization and PP training. But that just masked what was truly in him, ... and the wolf sensed that. Unfortunately, we don't always have a wolf around to test whether a dog is insecure. LOL