Can You Control Who The Alpha Pet Is When You Own 2 Pets
A pet owner called Beth composes:
Dear Mr. Katz,
I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie) is practically 2 and made sterile. 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 extremely devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. He is the perfect pet dog as he is really excited to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn canine I have ever encountered (you have actually most likely seen worse). She utilized to only listen to commands when she desired however I have stopped that. I have actually had various issues with her dominant propensities however have come a long method. She now sees me as the alpha and just shows aggressiveness when she is in pain-- particularly when I brush her. She has actually been identified with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I think I can resolve this one with the use of the training collar.
ADAM INTERJECTS: It's extremely tough to correct pain-response hostility. It's more of a response than anything else. Utilize the muzzle and restrain the pet when you need to give her shots. Other times (so that she does not develop an unfavorable association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then provide her a cookie. Do this at random times.
BETH CONTINUES: Cassie shows a great deal of dominance aggression towards Peanut. She roars when he tries to get a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her first, give her deals with initially, pet her first but Peanut simply doesn't seem to get it. He will walk through the door prior to Cassie however after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I believe he is attempting to challenge her since the playing time more just recently has turned into combating. 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 discharges this barking/yelping sound when she launches, he goes right after her once again till I break it up.
She also displays the same hostility toward the feline. If the feline enters her "location" when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the feline even walks by among her bones she goes bananas. She'll chase the cat away with growling and rapidly pursuing her.
ADAM INSERTS ONCE AGAIN: You can remedy this habits. She will find out not to go after the feline in your house.
BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big question. What do I do? Do I continue to deal with Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them combat it out? Do I continue to scold her for going after the feline? HELP!
Any advice you can provide will be much appreciated. Your book is excellent by the way ... Regards,
Beth
Dear Beth:
Thanks for the concern.
There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can just impact your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both pets. Or you can be dominant to only one canine. Or you can be deemed the Omega pet dog (the most submissive one) by both canines.
Nevertheless, you can not control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I've written about in previous problems of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your advantage:
A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We identify who will be the alpha canine.' Correct? "
My reply:
" No, no no! You can refrain from doing this! It's difficult!!!
The pets' characters are intrinsic. Only 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 quickly as you leave the canines together-- without supervision-- and go out for dinner ... all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one.
Think about taking a group of four kids.
Kid # 1 will mature to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral.
Kid # 2 will grow up to be a strong criminal defense lawyer.
Kid # 3 will mature to be a middle management executive for a big firm.
Kid # 4: will mature to be a peace activist and a socialist.
Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may state, "Kid # 4 ... you supervise." And as long as you're around, Kid # 4 might get the advantages of being the "so-called" leading pet.
But 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 "top pet." Their genes (and to some level, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest kid who will end up being the group leader.
Despite the fact that kid # 2 might be fairly tough in his own right, he will test kid # 1 ... however will eventually lose ... as kid # 1 is too difficult.
Now, if kid # 1 gets ill and has to remain in bed, then kid # 2 becomes the new kid # 1.
In other words, the "Alpha pet dog."
Until you get house. Then you're the alpha pet, and he becomes the tea cup yorkies for sale near me beta dog.
Get it?
Beth, as far as you've described your canines' interactions ... it does not sound to me like you have actually got a problem. It sounds just like play, or possibly some dominance scuffles. Nevertheless, without seeing the canines personally it's impossible to inform for sure.
That's all for now, folks!
Adam