Can You Manage Who The Alpha Pet Is When You Own 2 Dogs
A pet owner called Beth writes:
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have 2 cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white woman (Cassie) is almost two and purified. The enthusiast male (Peanut) is simply one 1 years of ages and neutered. Peanut was saved from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is exceptionally committed, a great listener and fast student. He is the ideal pet dog as he is really eager to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn pet dog I have actually ever come across (you have actually most likely seen worse). She utilized to just listen to commands when she desired however I have put a stop to that. I have actually had many problems with her dominant propensities however have actually come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only shows hostility when she is in pain-- particularly when I brush her. She has actually been diagnosed with miniature yorkies for sale allergic reactions, is on allergic reaction shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I think I can resolve this one with making use of the training collar.
ADAM INSERTS: It's really challenging to fix pain-response aggression. It's more of a reaction than anything else. Use the muzzle and limit the pet dog when you require to give her shots. Other times (just so that she does not construct 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 shows a great deal of supremacy aggressiveness towards Peanut. She grumbles when he tries to get a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her very first, give her treats initially, pet her very first however Peanut just doesn't seem to get it. He will stroll through the door before Cassie however after me. He is constantly one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Even more, I believe he is attempting to challenge her because the playing time more recently has turned into battling. It's more barking than anything-- to date there has been no blood. However, Cassie normally is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping noise when she releases, he goes right after her again until I break it up.
She also displays the very same aggression toward the feline. If the cat comes into her "area" when she is comfy in front of the fire or if the cat even strolls by among her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase the feline away with growling and rapidly running after her.
ADAM INSERTS AGAIN: You can correct this habits. She will learn not to go after the cat in the house.
BETH CONTINUES: So here's the huge question. What do I do? Do I continue to treat Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them combat it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat? HELP!
Any guidance you can use will be much appreciated. Your book is terrific by the way ... Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the question.
There is ONE big point you're not conceiving: You can just affect your relationship with each pet dog. You can be dominant to both pet dogs. Or you can be dominant to just one pet dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega pet (the most submissive one) by both pets.
However, you can not manage how your dogs see each other. This is a topic I have actually discussed in past problems of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your advantage:
A customer wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We determine who will be the alpha pet dog.' Correct? "
My reply:
" No, no no! You can refrain from doing this! It's impossible!!!
The pet dogs' personalities are intrinsic. Just you can identify if you're dominant to the other canines, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you can not work it out for them.
You can control the pet dogs' behaviors and not enable any scuffles if you:
-- are the alpha canine in the pack.
and
-- you have voice control.
However as soon as you leave the canines together-- unsupervised-- and go out for dinner ... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.
Think of 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 house every day for work, you may say, "Kid # 4 ... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid # 4 might get the privileges of being the "so-called" top dog.
However as soon as you leave ...
It's going to be a considered that kid # 3 and kid # 4 are going to be the bottom pet dogs, and kid # 1 and kid # 2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "leading dog." Their genes (and to some level, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. However it is the hardest kid who will end up being the group leader.
Although kid # 2 may be fairly difficult in his own right, he will evaluate kid # 1 ... however will eventually lose ... as kid # 1 is too difficult.
Now, if kid # 1 gets sick 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 doesn't sound to me like you have actually got an issue. It sounds just like play, or maybe some supremacy scuffles. However, without seeing the pet dogs face to face it's difficult to inform for sure.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam