How To Treat Canine Pack Members?

[KOE]

As Kim is in the house seperated from Elka unless we are at home she gets first.

Until the fight they were first in best dressed, and Kim always the alpha until I had her desexed.

Now Elka is well aware I am the leader Kim next in line. So no they are no longer treated all the same.

[BJean]

I treat mine all the same including Chopper.Chopper is highest amoung my dogs and the girls know that.Between the girls I don't know what the rank is.

That's interesting - I thought if you had boys and a girl, the girl would always wind up as highest ranked.

Is that just another myth?

In general I think it depends on the personality of individual dogs.

Generally - I have found the male to be the ultimate quiet overlord

although for the past year a very alpha female has ruled the roost.

Edited August 15, 2007 by lilli

[KitKat]

I treat mine all the same including Chopper.Chopper is highest amoung my dogs and the girls know that.Between the girls I don't know what the rank is.

That's interesting - I thought if you had boys and a girl, the girl would always wind up as highest ranked.

Is that just another myth?

I think it is a myth honestly...and depends on the dogs involved. My old Harm (RIP) was Alpha...and was very good at it. At training other dogs saw him that way as well and all got on fine with him...most of the bitches flirted with him and the other dogs didn't push him - pups played at him but if they got out of hand he'd tell them off and all would be sweet again. The pack was a bit fluid and we spent a lot of time with some lovely BC's - the older girl being the alpha of her pack. For the most part she'd nag Harm - and you could almost believe she was boss to him. Once she spent the half the day nagging him...to a point where he almost couldn't move without her nagging - and then enough was enough - he put her to the ground with one paw, quietly lifted his lips to her and then stepped back and let her up. For the rest of the day she was as sweet as pie to him They were so much the married couple!