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If You Own Two Dogs, Can You Control Who's The Alpha Dog?
By Adam G. Katz, Fri Dec 9th
Dear Mr. Katz: I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red andwhite female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male(Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut wasrescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He isincredibly devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. Heis the ideal dog as he is very eager to please. Cassie on theother hand is the most independent and stubborn dog I have everencountered (you've probably seen worse). She used to onlylisten to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop tothat. I have had numerous problems with her dominant tendenciesbut have come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and onlydisplays aggression when she is in pain -- specifically when Ibrush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergyshots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I thinkI can work through this one with the use of the training collar. ADAM INTERJECTS: It's very difficult to correct pain-responseaggression. It's more of a reaction than anything else. Use themuzzle and restrain the dog when you need to give her shots.Other times (just so that she doesn't build a negativeassociation to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then giveher a cookie. Do this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance aggressiontoward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone nearher and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I alwaysfeed her first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanutjust doesn't seem to get it. He will walk through the doorbefore Cassie but after me. He is always one head length aheadof her when we walk outside. Further, I think he is trying tochallenge her because the playing time more recently has turnedinto fighting. It's more barking than anything -- to date therehas been no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top of him,pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelpingnoise when she releases, he goes right after her again until Ibreak it up. She also displays the same aggression toward the cat. If the catcomes into her "area" when she is comfortable in front of thefire or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goescrazy. She'll chase the cat away with growling and quicklyrunning after her. ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She willlearn not to chase the cat in the house. BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big question. What do I do? Do Icontinue to treat Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let themfight it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat?HELP! Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book isgreat by the way.... Regards, Beth Dear
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Beth: Thanks for the question. There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can onlyaffect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant toboth dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can beviewed as the Omega dog (the most submissive one) by both dogs. However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I've written about in past issues of my e-zine.I'm going to reprint it for your benefit: A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer.'We determine who will be the alpha dog.' Correct? " My reply: "No, no no! You cannot do this! It's impossible!!! The dogs' temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine ifyou're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. Butyou cannot work it out for them. You can control the dogs' behaviors and not allow any scufflesif you: -are the alpha dog in the pack. and you have voice control. But as soon as you leave the dogs together-- unsupervised-- andgo out for dinner... all bets are off. The dominant one willstill 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#2will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney. Kid#3will grow up to be a middle management executive for a largefirm. Kid#4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist. Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may say,"Kid#4... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid#4may get the privileges of being the "so-called" top dog. But as soon as you leave... It's going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to bethe bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to seewho is REALLY the "top dog." Their genetics (and to some extent,upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But itis the toughest kid who will become the group leader. Even though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he willtest kid#1... but will ultimately lose... as kid#1 is too tough. Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2becomes the new kid#1. In other words, the "Alpha dog." Until you get home. Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomesthe beta dog. Get it? Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... itdoesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds justlike play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, withoutseeing the dogs in person it's impossible to tell for sure. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book(click below): Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!http://tinyurl.com/4efaq About the author:Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you canread more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq
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