Can You Control Who The Alpha Canine Is When You Own 2 Canines
A pet owner called Beth composes:
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have 2 cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie) is nearly 2 and purified. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is exceptionally devoted, an excellent listener and quick student. He is the perfect canine as he is very excited to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and persistent pet I have ever experienced (you have actually most likely seen even worse). She utilized to only listen to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop to that. I have actually had numerous issues with her dominant propensities but have come a long method. She now views me as the alpha and just shows aggression when she is in discomfort-- specifically when I brush her. She has actually been identified with allergies, is on allergic reaction shots and has bad skin. This is not my issue though as I think I can overcome this one with making use of the training collar.
ADAM INSERTS: It's really hard to fix pain-response aggression. It's more of a response than anything else. Use the muzzle and restrain the pet when you need to offer her shots. Other times (so that she doesn't develop a negative association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then offer her a cookie. Do this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie shows a great deal of dominance aggression towards Peanut. She roars when he attempts to get a bone near her and when they play (or battle) she will "hump" him. I constantly feed her first, give her treats first, pet her first however Peanut simply does not seem to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie however after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we stroll outside. Further, I think he is trying to challenge her since the playing time more recently has actually turned into fighting. It's more barking than anything-- to date there has been 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 after her again up until I break it up.
She likewise shows the exact same aggressiveness toward the feline. If the cat enters into her "location" when she is comfy in front of the fire or if the feline even strolls by among her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase after the feline away with roaring and quickly running after her.
ADAM INSERTS AGAIN: You can fix this habits. She will discover not to go after the cat in the house.
BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big 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 feline? HELP!
Any advice you can provide will be much appreciated. Your book is fantastic by the method ... Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the question.
There is ONE huge point you're not conceptualizing: You can just affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both pets. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be deemed the Omega canine (the most submissive one) by both pets.
Nevertheless, you can not control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I've blogged about in past concerns of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your advantage:
A subscriber composed: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We identify 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 determine if you're dominant to the other pet dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. However you can not work it out for them.
You can control the canines' 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 canines together-- without supervision-- and go out for supper ... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.
Think about taking a group of 4 kids.
Kid # 1 will mature to be a Navy Seal, and yorkies for sale near me then an Admiral.
Kid # 2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense lawyer.
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 state, "Kid # 4 ... you supervise." And as long as you're around, Kid # 4 may get the privileges of being the "so-called" leading pet.
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 pet dogs, and kid # 1 and kid # 2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "leading pet." Their genes (and to some degree, upbringing-- depending upon their age) identifies this. But it is the hardest kid who will become the group leader.
Despite the fact that kid # 2 might be fairly hard in his own right, he will test kid # 1 ... but will ultimately lose ... as kid # 1 is too hard.
Now, if kid # 1 gets sick and has to remain in bed, then kid # 2 ends up being the new kid # 1.
Simply put, the "Alpha pet dog."
Till you get home. Then you're the alpha pet, and he ends up being the beta pet.
Get it?
Beth, as far as you have actually described your canines' interactions ... it does not sound to me like you've got an issue. It sounds much like play, or possibly some supremacy scuffles. However, without seeing the pet dogs personally it's difficult to tell for sure.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam