No worries at all! It’s happened to me my whole life…curse of having a “First Name” as a “Last Name”.

Regarding your response to my article, I think we agree completely with what’s going on with the dynamics in your busy home. Although the terms we use may differ, it is the humans in the house who maintain the “hierarchy” by determining what is or is not acceptable behaviour. Sure, some dogs are pushier than others and will be a bit more clever or forceful in pursuit of what they want. But that’s not status seeking, that’s simple greed…”more for me!”

And it does take a firm and consistent “leader” to maintain order and make sure that things run smoothly. Does your bunch constitute a “pack”? Well, if David Mech’s wolf research is to believed, then yes, it does. And there is no status seeking within wolf packs either. Only wise and caring adults who maintain order within the group.

Sounds like you have it pretty much together over there!
Thanks for reading!
Eric

I find myself really taking a look at the way I manage my household of 11 dogs, 2 kids and 2 adults. I term all my dogs “family”. However, I also manage them as what I call a “pack” and me as the “leader”. However, I wonder if I interpret my terminology in the way that you are describing.

The dogs do have a heirarchy within their “pack” and I do everything to maintain that order within that. I think that is why I can have so many dogs living in such close proximity without too many interpersonal problems. I really don’t consider me part of their pack. I could not care less whether they go through a door before or after me.

Some of my dogs are more dominant than others and it is entirely situational. Some of the dogs need more “leadership” than others. And I do have dogs that would “run the house” if I let them.

I remember about 10 years ago when I took my new puppy to the vet (not my usual vet) to have him microchipped. The vet, who did not know me, proceeded to tell me how to estabolish and maintain my “dominance”. He told me that periodically I had to take the dog by the neck scruff and look in his eyes until he looked away. I thought to myself then, what a bunch of bunk. My dogs do look to me as the leader, but they will also look me right in the eye with love. If I caused them to look away in thoughts it would estabolish my “dominance” I think I would loose much of the loving relationship I have with each and every one of them. I feel very sad when a dog cowers and people think that they need to instill this fear in their dogs.

Unfortunately ‘dominance theory’ continues to proliferate the dog training world. I see many dogs abused in the name of training. – dogs labeled as ‘dominate’ or ‘alpha dogs’ that are simply confused or scared because the humans of the world haven’t done a very good job communicating what the rules of the household are.

I applaud you efforts to educated dog owners on a more relevant, accurate and kind approach.

Well Done!

Suzanne Webb CPDT-KA

Thanks for reading!

And I agree with you! While the “myth” this article takes on is the unproven genetic predisposition of dogs to seek status within a “pack”, as members of our households, dogs need the same kinds of guidelines and boundaries that children do. They need to be taught what is ok and what is not ok. Jean Donadlson says in her book Culture Clash that our primary responsibility as dog owners is to show our dogs what they need to know to be successful in our lives.

That means setting boundaries, keeping them safe, teaching them, and to a large degree being good parents and stewards for them. That’s our role. Not dictators, but people who watch over them and give them what they need to be happy and safe and successful in our world.

Thanks so much for your comments – Marissa and EVERYONE!
Eric

Dogs do need leadership – but that’s not the same as dominating them! Like you said, I think too many folks are “over the top” on this issue. Leadership is making sure your dog feels safe in all situations… something many people are not good at doing (myself included in the *old days* of not understanding the difference between leadership and dictatorship!).