This idea that all same-sex behavior between animals, particularly between males, is a display of dominance is popular. When I’m out with my mom’s fluffy male sheltie and another male dog mounts him at the dog park, without hesitation people will state that the other dog is trying to dominate him. I accept that many animals, including humans, sometimes use sex and sexual behaviors instrumentally, as a tool to get something from others or to intimidate them. But to assume this is always the case is presumptuous.
