Mannerly Mutts Dog Training

(Republished from many years ago.   Leon, Jackie,and Jazz have since passed away.  These are my dogs used as examples below of how individual pack members drive pack dynamics)

While science questions pack theory, it’s clear that group dynamics play a role when dogs and humans are together. I realized a group of dogs can change significantly with one new member. This happened when I volunteered to train Dobermans at Doberman Rescue Unlimited. This observation inspired me to consider offering rotating group classes in the future. Individuals will often change in these classes. This change is intended to enhance obedience with strong distractions.

This new member is fascinating to others. They also intimidate others or seem bossy towards them. Additionally, they cause concerns among others in the group. Dogs express themselves to each other in a foreign language that is foreign to us humans. This includes body language, eye contact, mouth position, and tail movement. There are other various ways as well, of which we are largely unaware. Humans usually only notice these if they deal with groups of dogs regularly.

A fair amount of my dog training business deals with multi dog issues. This relationship is more complex than a one dog to human family relationship. Many factors can be affect the dogs. These include unrealistic expectations of what the relationship should be, resource guarding, and power struggles. Other issues like geriatric and health issues will affect their inter pack relationship. There’s often a lack of training overall, nor rules or boundaries. Additionally, allowing another dog to abuse another can be a problem, just to name a few.

In my pack, some changes have started to launch the pack dynamics around here. First my grand dame, Jazz, has died. She has been the undisputed boss of the canines (besides myself of course) for 13 years with me. She was fair, just, tough, and fun all at the same time. Every time a new boarder came, she would lie on their bed. She did this with or without them. The message I believe was “you are welcome here, but understand this is my domain.” Instead of upsetting the dogs with this, I noticed that all dogs respected and looked up to her. We have had many pass through here that sought to learn from her and definitely play with her. A very special presence has left me, my dogs, and my client’s dogs lives.

Another element that created angst is when Jackie had an unfortunate altercation with a daycare client. A long time canine friend collided with Jackie during a dash through the woods a few months ago. That seemed to change every one’s demeanor for a bit, and start Jack off with bullying Leon (our other Doberman). At this same time, I have been getting Jack ready for open, which has launched his hardwired resource guarding issues. I readily admit that working him around key items was put on hold. This was due to the amount of work to get him to where this is. Now that work is underway the things that were simply managed before have now reached the training threshold point. This is not a short process that is solved in hours, days, or weeks. We are talking about months for improvement to take hold in a consistent and reliable fashion. Again, his brother, Leon, remained the favorite punching bag.

Thus it’s important to consider every one’s needs or the Pack’s needs if you will. Leon needs to feel safe and free in his own house. We need to feel that Leon’s safety is not in jeopardy. Additionally, we must make sure our client’s dogs are safe. At the same time, it’s concentrated training time for Jackie. His needs are also important in respect to exercise, attention, stimulation, and having fun. Training also remains an activity that can supply this. Still, it’s important to know that your dog can not be in working mode 24/7. Service dogs, police dogs, and all sorts of dogs need a breaks even when they totally love their work.

A leader’s most important tools in working with a project like this include knowledge of their dog’s personality and triggers. They also need to set up rules and boundaries. Consistency is key, along with a well thought out training plan. I have relied on the extra skills my dogs know. These skills include “place,” “go,” “fetch,” “give,” “out,” “leave it,” and “over.” These are besides basic obedience skills of heel, recall, stand, sit stay, and down stay. A pack problem is truly difficult if you have done no reliable training work with your dog. Leon’s fetch, for instance, has helped Jack understand. Jack sees that I approve of Leon “getting” items for me. This action is not to be interfered with.

It’s not about dominance or dominating Jack. My only goals are to:

• 1) make it clear that Leon is not his to abuse
• 2) make it clear that performing the commands has huge rewards
• 3) remind Jack the benefits and joys of having Leon as his friend
• 4) teach Jack alternate ways to deal with his resource guarding.

I did something like this with my dog, Neptune, and dog aggression many years back. It worked so very well, and I am beginning to see Jack pick up some understanding of this. Retreating is an appropriate way to get his point across. Looking to me for direction is another way. He can give a look instead of attacking. Bringing his toy into his crate is also suitable. By the way, he is never unsupervised around toys.

Management had worked up until this point. I may not have even picked this battle up right now, except that Jack did two very inappropriate behaviors. Jack was trying to gain inappropriate and damaging control of Leon, which was affecting Leon’s quality of life. There is always the option of keeping the two dogs separate or always under strict supervision when together. In analyzing the situation though, the additional work that needed with Jack was clear. If this work had already been done previously, my approach and strategy would be different. In the past Jack always seems to improve even through my doubts on some things. For instance, the obsession he had with seaweed when we first got him. I didn’t think he would EVER be able to just walk on the beach.

Be aware that the relationships among your dogs can change. Tweaking your training in various ways will improve the relationship. If you need help evaluating what is going on with your pack, I’m happy to assist. Some situations are easy to solve, and some are more challenging. Usually with bit of effort and keeping up with rules, boundaries, and consistency; their relationship can improve. That’s not to say that there aren’t sometimes truly incompatible pairings. Most of the issues I’ve addressed have involved dogs that lived together for a long time. Above are some examples that happened with my personal pack.

Having problems in your pack? We are phone number, 207-361-4395, or an email, mannerlymutts.rubin@gmail.com away.