Difference Between Dog Aggression and Displays of Dominance?

[DogPaddle]

After reading a couple threads on dog aggression I was wondering: where is the line between normal displays of dominance and dog aggression? I had always been advised that if neither dog is injured its best to let the dogs sort things out on their own and then not mess with their system - ie if one dog is dominent and will not let the other play with a paticular toy I'll only be creating problems if I give said toy to the submissive dog.

I have a year old bc - Kavik, we are fostering a 4 month old GDS/Malamute cross. They play fine together and share a food dish no problem. Occaisionally Kavik will growl, snap and force Tir into a submissive pose, sometimes their play becomes very exhuberant and sometimes it turns to more growling, snapping etc. Neither dog has become seriously injured although Kavik has recieved a few scrapes or punctures from those sharp little puppy teeth, that seems to have passed though - we stop them if they seem to be getting too rough. Sometimes Kavik will not allow Tir to have treats, paticular toys or sit beside some members of the family, Tir never puts up a fight in these situations.

So what is the verdict? When and where should behaviour be curbed?
Thanks

[Guest Anonymous]

Funny. Niether of my dogs have ever shown a submissive pose. Kika will snap at Kenzo (typical woman) and he'll just stand there and stare at her as she's yelling at him. He always gives in but does it by stopping what ever it is he's doing...