A dog owner named Beth writes: Pricey Mr. Katz,
I’ve got two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white feminine (Cassie)is sort of two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years previous and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He’s incredibly devoted, a terribly smart listener and quick learner. He’s the best dog as he’s very eager to please. Cassie on the opposite hand is the most independent and stubborn dog I have ever encountered (you have probably seen worse). She used to solely hear commands when she wanted but I’ve got put a stop to that. I’ve got had numerous problems along with her dominant tendencies but have come an extended way. She now views me because the alpha and only displays aggression when she is in pain – specifically after I brush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has dangerous skin. This is not my drawback though as I suppose I will work through this one with the employment of the coaching collar.
ADAM INTERJECTS: It’s terribly difficult to correct pain-response aggression. It’s additional of a reaction than something else. Use the muzzle and restrain the dog when you wish to provide her shots. Other times (just so that she does not build a negative association to the muzzle) place it on, take it off, and then give her a cookie. Try this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a heap of dominance aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone close to her and when they play (or fight) she can “hump” him. I always feed her 1st, provide her treats 1st, pet her first but Peanut just does not seem to urge it. He can walk through the door before Cassie but when me. He is usually one head length prior to her when we walk outside. Additional, I assume he’s making an attempt to challenge her as a result of the enjoying time a lot of recently has turned into fighting. It’s a lot of barking than something — up to now there was no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping noise when she releases, he goes right once her once more until I break it up.
She conjointly displays the identical aggression toward the cat. If the cat comes into her “area” when she is comfy in front of the hearth or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She’ll chase the cat away with growling and quickly running once her.
ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You’ll be able to correct this behavior. She can learn to not chase the cat within the house.
BETH CONTINUES: Thus here’s the large question. What do I do? Do I still treat Cassie as the following within the pack? Do I allow them to fight it out? Do I still scold her for chasing the cat? HELP! Any recommendation you’ll be able to supply can be abundant appreciated. Your book is great by the way…. Regards, Beth
Dear Beth: Thanks for the question.
There’s ONE massive purpose you are not conceptualizing: You’ll only have an effect on your relationship with each dog. You’ll be dominant to both dogs. Or you’ll be able to be dominant to solely one dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega dog (the most submissive one) by each dogs.
However, you can not control how your dogs view each other. This is often a subject I’ve written concerning in past issues of my e-zine. I am going to reprint it for your benefit: A subscriber wrote: “Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. ‘We tend to confirm who will be the alpha dog.’ Correct? “
My reply:
“No, no no! You can not try this! It’s not possible!!! The dogs’ temperaments are inherent. Solely you’ll be able to determine if you’re dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you can not work it out for them. You can management the dogs’ behaviors and not enable any scuffles if you:
- are the alpha dog within the pack. and
– you have voice control.
But as soon as you allow the dogs together– unsupervised– and venture out for dinner… all bets are off. The dominant one can still be the dominant one.
Suppose of taking a group of 4 kids.
Kid1 will develop to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral.
Kid2 will mature to be a fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid3 can become old to be a middle management govt for a large firm.
Kid4: will grow old to be a peace activist and a socialist.
Currently, when you permit the house each day for work, you will say, “Kid4… you are in charge.” And as long as you’re around, Kid4 may get the privileges of being the “thus-known as” top dog.
But while you leave…
It may be a providing kid3 and kid4 are going to be the bottom dogs, and child 1 and kid2 can scrap-it-out to work out who is REALLY the “top dog.” Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing– relying upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest child who can become the group leader.
Even though kid 2 may be fairly robust in his own right, he will test kid1… but will ultimately lose… as kid1 is simply too tough.
Now, if kid1 gets sick and has to remain in bed, then kid2 becomes the new kid1.
In different words, the “Alpha dog.” Till you get home. Then you’re the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog. Get it?
Beth, as so much as you have described your dogs’ interactions… it doesn’t sound to me like you have got a problem. It sounds simply like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, while not seeing the dogs in person it’s not possible to tell for sure. That is all for currently, people! Adam
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