Can You Control Who The Alpha Canine Is When You Own Two Pets
A dog owner called Beth composes:
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie) is nearly two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is simply one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is extremely devoted, a very good listener and fast student. He is the perfect pet as he is really excited to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn pet I have actually ever experienced (you've probably seen even worse). She utilized to only listen to commands when she wanted however I have stopped that. I have had various problems with her dominant propensities however have actually come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only displays aggressiveness when she is in pain-- yorkie puppies for sale near me specifically when I brush her. She has actually been detected with allergic reactions, is on allergic reaction shots and has bad skin. This is not my issue though as I believe I can work through this one with the use of the training collar.
ADAM INTERJECTS: It's really hard to correct pain-response aggression. It's more of a reaction than anything else. Use the muzzle and limit the pet when you need to give her shots. Other times (so that she does not build an unfavorable association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and after that offer her a cookie. Do this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of supremacy hostility towards Peanut. She grumbles when he attempts to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or battle) she will "hump" him. I constantly feed her very first, offer her deals with initially, pet her first but Peanut simply does not seem to get it. He will walk through the door prior to Cassie but after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we stroll outside. Even more, I think he is attempting to challenge her due to the fact that the playing time more recently has become battling. It's more barking than anything-- to date there has been no blood. Nevertheless, Cassie typically is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he discharges this barking/yelping sound when she launches, he goes right after her again until I break it up.
She also shows the same aggressiveness towards the feline. If the cat enters into her "location" when she is comfy in front of the fire or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goes nuts. She'll chase the feline away with grumbling and quickly following her.
ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She will discover not to chase after the cat in your home.
BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big question. What do I do? Do I continue to deal with Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them combat it out? Do I continue to scold her for going after the feline? HELP!
Any advice you can use will be much appreciated. Your book is terrific by the method ... Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the concern.
There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can just impact your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one pet. Or you can be deemed the Omega pet dog (the most submissive one) by both pet dogs.
Nevertheless, you can not control how your pets view each other. This is a subject I have actually discussed in past concerns of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your benefit:
A customer wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We determine who will be the alpha pet.' Correct? "
My reply:
" No, no no! You can not do this! It's impossible!!!
The canines' characters are inherent. Just you can figure out if you're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you can not work it out for them.
You can control the canines' behaviors and not permit any scuffles if you:
-- are the alpha pet dog in the pack.
and
-- you have voice control.
However as quickly as you leave the canines 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 grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral.
Kid # 2 will mature to be a fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid # 3 will mature to be a middle management executive for a big company.
Kid # 4: will mature to be a peace activist and a socialist.
Now, when you leave your home every day for work, you might state, "Kid # 4 ... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid # 4 may get the benefits of being the "so-called" top 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 dogs, and kid # 1 and kid # 2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "leading dog." Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing-- relying on their age) identifies this. But it is the most difficult kid who will end up being the group leader.
Even though kid # 2 might be relatively hard in his own right, he will test kid # 1 ... however will eventually lose ... as kid # 1 is too tough.
Now, if kid # 1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid # 2 becomes the brand-new kid # 1.
To put it simply, the "Alpha pet dog."
Up until you get house. Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta pet dog.
Get it?
Beth, as far as you've explained your dogs' interactions ... it does not sound to me like you've got an issue. It sounds just like play, or maybe some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the pet dogs personally it's impossible to inform for sure.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam