Originally Posted by Oblada

Oki the word "dominance" may not be politically correct anymore so what about "control"..

When the bitch grooms her pups she controls them, she decides when to groom and when to stop and if they try to wiggle out she will stop them and continue with the grooming regardless.

An animal doesnt look after her babies out of love like humans do but out of necessity or natural instinct; the bitch wants her pups cleaned (for the good of the whole litter etc) so she cleans them whether they like it or not.

The bitch is at a higher rank than her pups - so in that way she dominates them.
Dominance doesnt have to be associated with humiliation, punishment, ordering around, as it is often in the "human world".

Its the same idea with Separation anxiety; a dog may have SA because he "dominates" his owners; he thinks he has to be in charge that is, and not knowing where the owners are make him anxious like a bitch would be not knowing where her pups are.