If you have a small dog and a much larger one, and particularly if they are the same sex, you have most likely witnessed some form of competition and posturing for the position of “Top Dog”. Sometimes, that positioning is demonstrated physically. In this image Moby shows Mac, “he who is higher wins”. I don’t think Mac knew he was playing that game, so we won’t tell Moby.
Not all dogs are good at being guard dogs. A barking dog is a huge deterrent to anyone entering a place they aren’t invited to enter. Mac, a large Labradoodle, is boisterous and can be intimidating because of his size; however, I am almost certain his bark is his way of saying, “hey, look at me…I can bark.” End of story. How do you know if you have a guard dog?
Where a dog chooses to lie down and rest, tells you a lot about their protective instincts. Ever notice how they seem to pick the same area or position even when you encourage them to lie elsewhere? Perhaps they choose the foot of the bed rather than snuggling up next to you.
I am not only referring to whether they are on the sofa or on the floor, but rather where they choose to be positioned in relationship to you. If I’m on the computer or seated in a room working, one of my dogs will almost always have her back to me and she is facing out so she can keep a watchful eye on what is happening around us. She instinctively will position herself as the guard.
Another dog, will always have his back to something (a wall or the couch) when lying down. He is able to watch what’s happening around him while keeping his back protected. He is far more concerned about his back than mine!
It is interesting to watch and learn from our dogs as they share their pack instincts with us. They are paying a lot more attention to their positioning in relationship to us than we may know. My lovely Chapin, a sweet Pit Bull, would have gladly told anyone who cared to break in that I was upstairs and that my purse was in the kitchen, but please don’t make her get up from the chaise lounge.
If a guard dog is all you want, maybe you should try a home security system. If you get a dog as a deterrent because of their bark, most will do a good job of that. They will also be a great companion and given healthy attention and guidance, be there for you whether or not they will protect you from all harm.
In this pack, I have what I refer to as the early warning system (barkers) and the backup – the ones who might do more than just bark. I hope I never have to find out!
You may not have thought of a dog as having patience. Well, they do – or at least that’s what I’m calling it.
If one of my dogs has a toy, regardless of the five other toys available, someone will want that exact toy at that exact moment. That’s no surprise. Of course, they want what the other one has. Among these boys, It’s a constant dance of who dominates who.
After a couple of human-to-dog interventions, they know not to mess with one another, or everyone loses (as in I take the toy). See, it’s my toy, and I am kind enough to let them have it. I have also established the rules that go along with toy-play.
This morning, Mac is chewing on a toy as Moby stands patiently by looking for either a safe “in” to get the stuffed creature, or for Mac to get bored and walk away. He will wait longingly for quite awhile before he loses interest. He doesn’t make a sound…waiting patiently for the right moment. I think he actually thinks he “won” if Mac relinquishes the object without care.
I like the thought of that – particularly as we enter the Holiday season. It’s like saying, “I really want what you have, but I’ll just wait patiently while you enjoy it, and when you don’t want it any more, I’ll take it.”
Thoughts of peace and patience to you this season!
I have been contacted by more and more people concerned their dog is aggressive. They may even state they have a “red zone dog.” Here’s an article I wrote on this subject. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s behavior.
Very few dogs won’t find enjoyment in a belly rub or any rub for that matter. They are also very smart. They learn quickly that if you ask them to do something – sit, stay, down, etc., and they choose to roll over for a belly rub, we fall for it. “Ah, they’re being submissive.” Maybe not. Why wouldn’t they drop and roll over for a belly rub if it means they don’t have to do as asked?
I do laugh when my dogs are resting and they will start to show me their belly when I’m only walking by to close the blinds or do something else. They don’t want to miss the chance that I will give them a pet so if I’m anywhere within sight, there’s a good chance I’ll see their movement and stop by for a rub.
I have met some dogs who will not show you their belly because they can’t risk making themselves too vulnerable. Is this action something they need to do or have to do for you to feel they are submissive? Absolutely not! Their touch of choice may be a scratch on the neck.
Just as a pat on the head or a rub of the ears is affection, remember that a belly rub is too. You decide when it is appropriate to respond. If not, your day will be filled with a dog’s nose lifting up your hand or arm for your affection. Begging for affection may be cute, but that’s about all. It is still begging.
Our dogs deserve our affection, it’s up to us to decide when!
Does your dog have dominant tendencies? Are you confused at what that actually means? Is dominant and being alpha one in the same?
A dominant dog isn’t necessarily the alpha dog. Some dogs are born as dominant beings. They are hard-wired from birth with the genetic makeup to be “bossy.” Puppies will exhibit the behaviors in subtle ways that will grow to be less subtle as they mature. Some of the characteristics are:
Marking their territory
Kicking up their hind legs after they “mark.”
Wrapping their front legs around you.
Talking back or getting in the last word when corrected.
Nudging another dog to get ahead of them or out of their way.
Holding their head over the head or body of another dog (and/or their human).
These are a few of the more obvious characteristics. You don’t train their personality out of them, you work with it. You need to be more dominant than they are.
Here’s a photo of a dominant little guy who is not quite annoying enough for the Dane to say “stop that!” I can guarantee if she did, it would only take once! He is definitely macho in his actions around the other dogs – unfortunately for him, no one sees him as alpha.
