Deciding Pack Order Among Your Dogs: Insights for Pet Owners

As a pet owner with multiple dogs, you may find yourself pondering if you should intervene in how your dogs establish their pack order or let them decide on their own. This article explores the natural behavior of dogs in determining leadership and pack hierarchy, as well as providing guidance for pet owners on managing their pack dynamics.

Understanding Dogs' Natural Hierarchy

When we have four or more dogs, the natural hierarchy among them is often established without our interference. Dogs, especially when socially competent, tend to form a pack order based on factors like age, experience, and leadership traits. Here’s what you need to know about letting your dogs handle pack order:

Established Dogs Lead

A socially competent dog usually places the oldest and most experienced member at the top of the pack order. This senior member often serves as the leader, providing guidance and making decisions for the group. For instance, in your pack, the older and more experienced dog might naturally take the lead, following its instincts to make the best choices for the group.

Natural Leadership vs. Imposed Leadership

Dogs typically convey leadership through a downward dynamic, rather than a top-down approach. Each member of the pack might have a unique role, such as the one who finds the best treats or the one who discovers the most intriguing scents on a daily walk. For example, during a visit to a local park, a different dog might consistently find the most interesting scents, and the other dogs follow this sniffing leader.

Managing Socially Incompetent Dogs

While natural packs tend to regulate themselves, there are situations where external intervention is necessary. Here are some key signs and steps to take when dealing with socially incompetent dogs:

Signs of Socially Incompetent Dogs

Look out for signs that one or more of your dogs might not be socially competent. These signs include:

Isolation or Avoidance: Certain dogs might avoid interactions with others, indicating potential social issues. Intimidation: Aggressive behavior or intimidation tactics used by one dog towards others could be problematic. Unresolved Conflicts: Frequent and prolonged aggressive episodes that don’t resolve within a minute might indicate deeper issues.

Steps to Take

If you observe these signs, it’s crucial to address the situation promptly:

Identify the Cause: Determine what the aggressive dog is doing to intimidate others and understand its motives. Addressing the Situation: Consider consulting a professional trainer or veterinarian to explore potential solutions. Sanctioned Rehousing: In severe cases, it might be necessary to temporarily or permanently rehome one or more dogs for their and the others' peace of mind.

Building Bonded Relationships with Each Dog

As a pet owner, it’s extremely beneficial to build strong, individual bonds with each of your dogs. This ensures that each dog prefers you over the others, preventing any potential conflicts.

One-to-One Bonding

Creating a one-to-one bond with each dog guarantees that your dogs wouldn’t engage in activities that could be harmful or dangerous to themselves or others. This individual relationship helps prevent your dogs from getting so carried away in a group that their behavior might become problematic.

Real-Life Examples

Here are two real-life examples to illustrate the importance of pack order and individual bonding:

Example 1: Deer Encounter

One day, I unleashed my six dogs in my private dog park, only to realize that two white-tailed deer were present. My dogs were keen to chase them. However, 5 out of 6 dogs quickly returned to me, recognizing that I was the leader they needed to follow. The remaining 15-year-old deaf German Shepherd, who had gone deaf with age, followed the deer. I had to send my younger stockdog to retrieve her.

Example 2: Possum Incident

One night, I turned three of my dogs loose in my unfenced yard for their last potty break before bed. A possum froze at the base of the hickory tree. Realizing this, I redirected them and reminded them of the reason they were outside. Each dog immediately ignored the possum and focused on their business, peeing where needed. The possum was left unharmed, staggering across the road afterward.

These examples highlight the importance of understanding your dogs' individual behaviors and the pack order they naturally establish. By fostering strong bonds and understanding their natural hierarchy, you can create a harmonious and safe environment for your pets.

Conclusion

While it’s important to be mindful of abnormal behavior, allowing your dogs to establish their natural pack order can lead to a more peaceful and well-managed household. By building a strong bond with each of your furry companions, you can ensure a harmonious and happy living situation for all of them.