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If
You Own Two Dogs,
Can You Control Who's The Alpha
Dog?
By Adam G. Katz
A dog owner named Beth
writes:
Dear Mr. Katz:
I have two cocker spaniels that are
one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed.
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 incredibly
devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. He is the ideal dog as he
is very eager to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent
and stubborn dog I have ever encountered (you've probably seen worse). She
used to only listen to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop to
that. I have had numerous problems with her dominant tendencies but have
come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only displays
aggression when she is in pain -- specifically when I brush her. She has
been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This
is not my problem though as I think I can work through this one with the
use of the training collar.
ADAM INTERJECTS: It's very difficult to
correct pain-response aggression. It's more of a reaction than anything
else. Use the muzzle and restrain the dog when you need to give her shots.
Other times (just so that she doesn't build a negative association to the
muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then give her a cookie. Do this at
random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance
aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near
her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her
first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanut just doesn't seem
to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie but after me. He is
always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I think
he is trying to challenge her because the playing time more recently has
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 until I break it up.
She also
displays the same aggression toward the cat. If the cat comes into her
"area" when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the cat even
walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase the cat away with
growling and quickly running after her.
ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You
can correct this behavior. She will learn not to chase 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 fight it
out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat? HELP!
Any
advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book is great by the
way....
[She's referring to: Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!
Read more about it at: http://www.thats-a-good-dog.com/dogproblem
]
Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the
question.
There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You
can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to
both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be viewed 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 if you're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT.
But you cannot work it out for them.
You can control the dogs'
behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you:
-are the alpha dog in
the pack.
and
-you have voice control.
But as soon as
you leave the dogs 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 grow up to be a
fierce criminal defense attorney.
Kid#3 will grow up to be a middle
management executive for a large firm.
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#4 may 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 be the bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2
will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "top dog." Their genetics (and
to some extent, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this.
But it is the toughest kid who will become the group leader.
Even
though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he will test 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#2 becomes the new
kid#1.
In other words, the "Alpha dog."
Until you get home.
Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog.
Get
it?
Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... it
doesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds just like play,
or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the dogs in
person it's impossible to tell for sure.
To read more of my dog
training ramblings, read about my book:
Secrets of a
Professional Dog Trainer!
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