Can You Manage Who The Alpha Canine Is When You Own Two Pet dogs
A pet dog owner named Beth composes:
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have 2 cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie) is almost two and purified. The enthusiast male (Peanut) is just one 1 years of ages and neutered. Peanut was saved from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is incredibly committed, an excellent listener and fast learner. He is the ideal pet as he is really excited to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn canine I have ever encountered (you've probably seen worse). She used to only listen to commands when she desired but I have put a stop to that. I have had many issues with her dominant propensities however have come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only displays aggression when she is in pain-- particularly when I brush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I believe I can overcome this one with making use of the training collar.
ADAM INTERJECTS: It's really tough to remedy pain-response aggressiveness. It's more of a response than anything else. Use the muzzle and restrain the dog when you require to provide her shots. Other times (just so that she does not develop an unfavorable association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and after that give her a cookie. Do this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance hostility toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her first, offer her treats first, pet her very first however Peanut simply does not appear to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie however after me. He is constantly one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I believe he is attempting to challenge her due to the fact that the playing time more just recently has developed into battling. It's more barking than anything-- to date there has actually been no blood. However, Cassie generally is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping sound when she releases, he goes right after her again till I break it up.
She also shows the exact same hostility towards the cat. If the cat comes into her "location" when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the cat even strolls by among her bones she goes nuts. She'll go after the cat away with roaring and quickly following her.
ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can fix this behavior. She will learn not to chase after the feline in your home.
BETH CONTINUES: So here's the huge question. What do I do? Do I continue to deal with Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them battle it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing after the cat? AID!
Any suggestions you can use will be much valued. Your book is fantastic by the way ... Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the concern.
There is ONE huge point you're not conceiving: You can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both pets. Or you can be dominant to just one dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega pet dog (the most submissive one) by both pet dogs.
Nevertheless, you can not manage how your canines see each other. This is a subject I've written about in past problems of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your advantage:
A subscriber composed: "Thanks, Adam. I believe I discovered the response. 'We identify who will be the alpha yorkie teacup for sale dog.' Correct? "
My reply:
" No, no no! You can not do this! It's impossible!!!
The pets' characters are fundamental. Just you can determine if you're dominant to the other pet dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you can not work it out for them.
You can control the dogs' habits and not permit any scuffles if you:
-- are the alpha dog in the pack.
and
-- you have voice control.
However as quickly as you leave the dogs together-- unsupervised-- and go out for supper ... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.
Consider taking a group of four kids.
Kid # 1 will mature to be a Navy Seal, and after that an Admiral.
Kid # 2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid # 3 will grow up to be a middle management executive for a big company.
Kid # 4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist.
Now, when you leave your house every day for work, you might say, "Kid # 4 ... you supervise." And as long as you're around, Kid # 4 might get the privileges of being the "so-called" leading dog.
But as quickly as you leave ...
It's going to be a considered that kid # 3 and kid # 4 are going to be the bottom pets, and kid # 1 and kid # 2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "leading pet." Their genetics (and to some degree, upbringing-- depending upon their age) identifies this. However it is the hardest kid who will end up being the group leader.
Although kid # 2 might be relatively hard in his own right, he will evaluate kid # 1 ... however will eventually lose ... as kid # 1 is too tough.
Now, if kid # 1 gets ill and has to remain in bed, then kid # 2 ends up being the brand-new kid # 1.
Simply put, the "Alpha canine."
Up until you get home. Then you're the alpha canine, and he ends up being the beta dog.
Get it?
Beth, as far as you've described your pets' interactions ... it does not sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds much like play, or perhaps some supremacy scuffles. Nevertheless, without seeing the pets face to face it's impossible to inform for sure.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam