I also use to think that staring was a sign of dominance. After I got Charlie I changed my mind. Charlie has always been a staring dog. My parents thought he was being dominant and we had to control him. He is a semi-dominant dog, but I don't think him staring at me is him trying to be the dominant one. I too agree with pessimisaurus about how a lot of things that people say are dominant behaviors are not at all.

I think if you worry about your dog being your "boss" there are a few simple things you can do to secure your spot as "top dog".

Make your dog sit before he gets anything. My dogs know they must sit and be quiet before they get their food, go outside, enter through a door, get a toy, etc.

If you rough house with your dogs then just make sure if there is any sign of a dominant behavior(mounting, biting, etc) the play time is stopped and not continued until the dog has calmed down.