Tales From The Pack #3
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9 August 2007
Back in the pack, a dogs day is rather different from ours in many ways.
It starts in a way that would surprise us too!
The pack leader has clear privileges over the lower ranking dogs and this can be seen after a sleep. The alpha male always gets the best place to sleep as far as he’s concerned. Once the other dogs in the pack are awake, they will approach the pack leader in a sort of “good morning” ritual. He will stay put and growl at each dog that approaches. They, in turn will lower their heads and back away.
We might think there was a problem when clearly this is normal behaviour for dogs. All that is happening here is the pack leader displaying his position by warning the others away from his bed and the other acknowledging his position by showing submissive behaviour.
The alpha male will eventually decide to drag himself out of bed and a normal day will ensue!
Translated into the family situation, if you let your dog sleep wherever he likes, oh oh, you have promoted him in the family pack. You have to demote him quickly by designating where he sleeps (like a dog basket or bed preferably on the floor) and make sure all the good places are out of bounds.
These include anywhere raised off the ground, like sofas and chairs and definitely do not let him sleep on beds. If he sleeps on your bed, that is tantamount to handing him the keys to the door!
Ok, if he is docile and well behaved and he’s your only company, that’s acceptable (barely).
But if he is unruly, then you must stop him sleeping in any good, elevated place and make him sleep on the ground on a blanket, in a basket or dog bed. Then his rank drops to below yours and his behaviour should improve remarkably.
Terry Didcott
Dogs Wish
