DOMINANCE

Dominance explained – The Pushy Dog

The word ‘dominance’ has been thrown around too much. Here are some points that are often over looked:

• Dogs are naturally social animals and will form hierarchies within groups, but these are often very complex.
• Dogs are similar to wolves in many respects but direct comparisons should not be made as they have very different living conditions and priorities.
• There is no evidence that feral dogs form packs only that they form small groups and temporary associations.
• The social structure of wolf packs, and the alpha theory that stems from that idea is based on studies carried out on captive wolves, not on natural wild populations.
• Wolf packs in the wild are based on an alpha breeding pair i.e. The Parents, and generations of their offspring make up the rest of the pack. Therefore they act as a family unit, co-operating together for the survival of the whole group.
• Rather than the offspring striving to take over or ‘dominate’ the alpha wolves (their parents), which would be incest as the only purpose of being alpha is to breed, they instead leave the pack and try to take over another or start their own.
• In scientific terms the word dominance refers to the winner of a competition over a resource. Within a group, different individuals could win depending on which resources were being competed for, and under which conditions.
• We should respect hierarchies within multi-dog households but try not to simplify them or let pushy dogs bully others for access to all resources.
• Dogs do need a human leader so that they can fit into our houses and lives without causing problems. This does not mean we need to act like an alpha wolf.

Communication

In wolf or dog disputes, biting and fighting is an acceptable way of settling disagreements and although little damage is done, we would not want to encourage that type of communication towards us, so why do we pick and choose half understood signals to communicate with our dogs?

Although understanding dogs’ body language is very important when trying to make it easier for them to understand what we mean, rank reduction programs are confusing and there are more efficient ways of communicating and controlling our dogs. Simply being consistent and creating rules that the dog must respect is far more effective. Also teaching the dog that good things come through you and that they have to work for them is a lot less complicated for you and the dog.

The pushy dog

A life without dominance. What’s the alternative?

Learn to earn - having self control

The science bit - how dogs learn

• In a dog world the rewards are food, toys, attention, freedom and access to other dogs, so to increase the chance of the dog behaving as you would like, you need to reward the behaviours you want to see more of.
• Your dog will also learn unwanted behaviours just as easily:

• Dog is excited and barks, you try to quieten him, he gets attention, he learns that barking gets attention.
• Dog is only called back at the end of a walk to go back on lead; dog learns that when called, freedom will end; learns to ignore call and freedom continues.

• You need to ensure you reward the right behaviours and do not accidently reward behaviours you do not want to encourage.
• 3 times of being rewarded and the dog may have learnt a behaviour.
• There are also behaviours that are natural to dogs. These are not learnt and are not likely to change; nor should you try, as dogs need to do these behaviours to feel content.
  • Chewing is a classic example, as all dogs need to chew. It helps maintain healthy teeth and gums and is a natural stress reliever, therefore rather than trying to prevent your dog chewing everything and you getting frustrated when they chew up the chair; give the dog a bone.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Does your dog hate Mondays?

Do you come home from work and find your house in shreds?
Do you dread leaving the house without the dog as you fear what you may come back to?
Are your neighbours not talking to you because your dog is too noisy?

Many dogs hate being left, some more than others. Dogs are social animals and find it hard if they are isolated for long periods of time with out the rest of their family. Whilst some dogs have got used to it and curl up to sleep till you come back, others actually go into panic. They find being alone so traumatic that they start to get distressed before you even leave. Some dogs are just young and energetic and will entertain themselves by chewing furniture and barking at the neighbours. Others bark constantly and chew up the house because they are stressed. Chewing makes them feel better and they are calling for you to return. Either way, there are things that can be done to help your dog.
For destructive dogs, increasing exercise and mental stimulation will help. We have plenty of ideas that could help you, but for dogs that get really distressed, a very different approach needs to be taken. The aim is to get the dog into a different frame of mind where they can settle for short periods of time without you, and building up this comfortable feeling so that when you leave the front door they don’t go into panic.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

• Your dog follows you from room to room (although cute, this is not the sign of a well-balanced dog.)
• Sleeps touching you so that they can feel when you get up ( again, although cute, this is not the sign of a well-balanced dog.)
• Toileting in the house even if they have just been for a walk (if the dog is in distress, it looses control of it bodily functions - similar to extreme fear response)
• Destructiveness when left (chewing either as escape attempt or as a natural stress reliever)
• Vocalisations including howling, whining and barking
• Over-excited when you return (all dogs are pleased to see you when you return, but if your dog is frantic, panting and scrabbling it may have been in some distress)
• Self harm (accidental whilst chewing up floor, or chewing or licking at own skin) this is extreme but not unusual.

So if your dog hates Mondays don’t just blame him for being naughty and ‘weeing’ on the carpet; he might be suffering a panic attack every time you pop to the shop. The good news is it is curable; the bad news is, it is time consuming and a lot of work, but we can help.

DOG AGGRESSION

There are three main causes of aggression in dogs

1. Fear
2. Predation
3. Competition

• Most cases of dogs we see acting aggressively are caused by the dog being fearful. This is made worse by the owner also reacting fearfully, or worse, getting aggressive with the dog and causing it to be more anxious.
• ‘Predatory aggression’ can be very difficult to solve and is better managed with controlling techniques
• ‘Competition aggression’ is always over a resource, whether that be territory, the owner, females, food or toys, to mention just a few.
• Some dogs appear to be aggressive, but are actually just very excited and frustrated, usually with poor social skills. These dogs need help to interact with other dogs but the approach would be very different.

We will assess each case to get to the bottom of why your dog is acting aggressively and whatever the cause, will work towards improving your dog’s social interaction and/or improving your control and management skills in dealing with the situation.

HOUSE-TRAINING

• It is never too late to house train a dog
• We can help, whether you have a puppy, a new rescue dog or an adult dog that has never been fully house trained.
• Punishing a dog for toileting in the house will not help the problem and is likely to make it worse. Unless you catch the dog in the act of going to the toilet, it will have no idea why it is being punished. Even if you punish the dog in the act of relieving its self, it will only teach the dog to sneak off and toilet out of sight, making training a lot harder.
• Paper training is usually confusing for the dog as it loses the distinction between inside and outside
• Always keep a close eye on a new puppy and give it plenty of opportunities to toilet outside, so that it cannot make a mistake. Interrupt (without punishment) any attempts to toilet inside and give plenty of rewards for going in the right place.

OTHER COMMON BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS

• Recall
• Jumping up
• Pulling on the lead
• Resource guarding including food
• Play-biting or mouthing
• Stealing

We are happy to discuss any behavioural problem with you. We also regularly help with general training.