Pack Rank and Leadership

Something interesting has happened over the years within my pack. It’s about leadership, not dominance, not “alpha-omega” stuff.

This is all about the girls in my pack. The boys really haven’t played a role in the hierarchical changes that have occurred.

Many people are surprised to hear when someone has multiple dogs in the house. Usually 2 isn’t a shock, but when I say 5 (4 collies and a malamute), there’s always a stunned reaction usually followed by the question “So who’s the alpha?”

“I am” is the obvious answer. Certainly there is hierarchy – I’m not one to deny social structure within any group, whether comprised of dogs, people, or mixed-species groups.

Sometimes people push, and insist on knowing who’s the alpha among the dogs, excluding me. I would ponder, because I wasn’t always sure, and that made me doubt my observation skills and by extension my training skills. Joella, my first, my heart-dog, my only true love. It could only be her. I would never allow anyone to supplant her.

But what about her demeanor ever said alpha? She would willingly give up her toys, her bones, her bed, her food to any dog that moved in and wanted it. I would stand close to make sure she could eat without harassment. She never fought. She walked behind me. She walked behind all other dogs as well.

Seadhna on the other hand, is willing to fight. She splits up any play sessions that do not involve her. She takes all toys and refuses to allow anyone to eat in peace. Talk about pulling on lead! She pulls a sled harder and better that my malamute who’s 2.5 times her weight. She controls interactions and access. She walks ahead of everyone. She picks fights. She is scrappy.

Not with Jo, mind you, with Korey, my second dog and keenest competition dog – and therefore the one I spent the most time training. Korey was attentive to me, intense, keen, alert. She preferred work to play, and engaged only with Jo. If I had to describe her it was always regal. Truly aristocratic.

It seems from these descriptions of their behavior, Seadhna was obviously alpha, and Joella the omega, despite my feelings.

Korey was the first to leave me. Soon after she crossed, Aisling joined us. Then the real fights began. While Seadhna and Korey argued, Seadhna and Aisling FOUGHT. To the tune of a de-gloved front leg, broken elbow, surgery, emergency room visits, and possibly an elbow replacement still in the future. Seadhna always lost.

So who’s alpha bitch? Seadhna will never back down, never submit to Aisling. It’s not in her nature. Even though she’s never won a fight, is 10 pounds lighter, 2 inches shorter, and 12 years old now (to Aisling’s 6 years.)

Using behavior-described dominance criteria, Aisling is obviously alpha because she wins. But Seadhna won’t let go of her status and submit. Classic bitch fights.

I learned to manage the household. As long as food or valuable resources were never involved, and I watched their attitudes to each other, fed separately, and never left them alone, I could still break up any fights that did occur. Whether or not I should have placed Aisling is another topic. Keeping her has taught me a lot, and I don’t regret it.

Then Jo left me. At age 13.5, struggling to walk, wandering into corners, forgetting, crying, and confused.

And Seadhna and Aisling haven’t had a fight since.

What I have come to realize is that Jo was alpha bitch all along.

Leadership is subtle. It’s the little things that matter…

Four years ago, when I could still feed everyone bones outside of their crates, I watched as Indy the malamute tried (as he had done many times before) to take Jo’s bone – a big meaty chunk of venison vertebrae. Jo did an amazing quiet little lip lift you could barely see, then continued to gnaw quietly. Indy and the three other collies (who hadn’t tried to take it) all dropped to their bellies, crawled backwards, averting their gaze, licking their lips, and blinking. Only after several seconds did anyone else resume eating.

She could flatten any other dog with a look, too. I used her when I worked with aggressive dogs sometimes, when I needed a dog who could communicate exquisitely from a distance. She was amazing – other dogs calmed in her presence. We got work done.

Seadhna’s always done a raised leg urination, Aisling never. Aisling pees first, then Seadhna over marks, sometimes not waiting for Aisling to finish. Aisling will sniff a spot, and if it’s Seadhna’s scent from a previous pee, will actively avoid that area, circling as wide as her leash will allow. And on walks, it’s Seadhna who checks out every tree, every spot alongside my top male Indy (whom she also over marks). Years ago, when it was between Korey and Seadhna, they over marked each other, but Seadhna always peed last.

No one ever over marked Jo’s pee (she squatted). And she never over marked anyone else’s.

Once Jo was gone, Seadhna moved into her position but can never take her place. Seadhna’s role as Queen Bee is solid, and Aisling’s role is more clearly defined as well. No longer are they fighting for 2^nd place. Aisling doesn’t have the leadership qualities, the presence, the confidence to ever supplant Seadhna, nor would Sea ever allow that.

The pack is definitely more active, more chaotic with Seadhna as leader, but less volatile too. She’s become sweeter towards me as well. Perhaps that’s because I’m nostalgic for the old days of Jo, Korey, and Seadhna. Perhaps she’s blossomed with the confidence of leadership.

Leadership isn’t defined by behavior. It’s not entirely attitude. What’s valuable to one individual at a particular time doesn’t determine status either.

Jo was a leader through and through, even though she gave up whatever she had. Her behavior didn’t support the common understanding of dominant behavior. Her extremely occasional defense of her resources was made more powerful (to me at least and perhaps to the other dogs) by her magnanimous nature. Why did she prefer to walk behind me – in winter I understand it’s easier to follow than break trail, but always? If someone asked me while out on a walk, who was alpha, and I pointed behind me, wouldn’t the other person have laughed? It was her presence, her confidence,… she led from behind.

Seadhna’s leadership is quite different. Yes, she will fight. But she won her position through time, and loss. Not superior fighting ability – she’s smaller, lighter, and older than her rivals. Now that she has position, she doesn’t need to fight. I suspect that if another female were to challenge her on the basis of physicality, she would resume her fights with Aisling for second place.

Someday Seadhna will leave me as well, and perhaps Aisling will get the chance to be alpha bitch. Perhaps I’ll have added another female by then, so who knows?

Dominance and leadership aren’t synonymous. Maintaining access to a particular resource isn’t leadership. Giving it away may be.

Keeping Up Appearances merely that: Keeping Up Appearances

Keeping Up Appearances merely that: Keeping Up Appearances

Sunday’s She Says lead story about the discrimination woman face based on appearances was important. But I think it only states the problem and doesn’t do anything to change a situation which I think most people would agree does need updating. I don’t think many would deny the impetus for this story is Robin Huebner’s recent resignation and the ongoing story. That’s the background.

Ultimately, the story merely said that other women have faced the same discrimination Huebner faces, and that it’s been going on for a long time. Has this trend lessened? Certainly 40% of the TV news force, as reported, will imply that yes, things are better for women. The article doesn’t state that numbers are increasing, just that 40% is the current percentage. 

Stacie Schaible, as a size 10, described herself as a “big ommpaloompa”. If size 10 is average (and personally I think that’s low), that means half the women who are reading this story are bigger than a size 10. And she’s effectively called us “big oompaloompas” as well. She’s done the exact same thing she experienced by not being size 2. 

           

So where do we go from here? Accept Huebner’s resignation and watch the stories as they cover her lawsuit? I noticed that Schaible is the only woman interviewed that still anchors TV news. That doesn’t bode well for Huebner, or any woman who wishes to be a part of the news industry. Perhaps “apart of the news industry” would be more apt. 

We can however, make a difference, if we as the viewers refuse to allow appearance to dictate our lives.  If we accept the state of affairs as they stand, we merely perpetuate the myth of beauty, and women will remain second-class.

By creating a women’s section of the newspaper, the Forum has tried to empower women. Some disagree, and that’s being debated elsewhere. For me, this story goes only so far, and not far enough. Stand not with just stating history, rather take steps into the future to empower all people to be their best. 

An Eventful Month

I'm in the process of moving my blog over to AreaVoices, which will hopefully generate more readers. The new address will be allsmartpets.areavoices.com. As usual, I need some time to get used to the new site, so I'm still going to post here for a while.

Last Sunday I entered Kiernan in a UKC conformation show. He was a crypt, and is neutered. I'm so glad there's an altered class in UKC. We did about a week of training but I had no idea if he would perform the behaviors in the ring. He had never been gone over by a judge (except in obedience, of course.)

I made two mistakes - When the judge asked me to show her his bite, I had bait in my hand, which I held with three fingers & used my thumb and first finger to try to get his mouth open. Anyway, Kiernan just wanted to twist around and get the food. My bad. The second mistake was when I forgot to release him from a stand stay when we (I) started a down-and-back. Actually that one was neat, knowing he understood and generalized a stay to a completely new situation.

We came away from the show with an even better outcome... Best in Show (Altered). Here's the kicker: He did it TWICE! Gotta love the UKC for allowing two shows each day. I tried really hard not to jump up and down screaming in the ring, and saved it all for the car ride home. I'm still high with excitement! While taking pictures both judges commented on how nice he is, and what a shame he had to be neutered.

It's been an eventful month.

A disastrous start to the Bismarck Kennel Club shows with my van dying, ended up on a positive note. I learned that I really do have lots of people who care about me. Friends are precious and we can never say thank you enough. Kiernan pulled it together on days three and four, earning scores I'm thrilled with in Novice obedience. It's the first time I've ever been in the 190s, or placed. I learned tons about my handling, too, (Thanks, friends!) It was interesting how I felt after earning my second-highest score ever (189.5)... I was disappointed. It did not feel right, and I vowed never to accept simply a qualifying score. I loved the feeling of doing well, and nothing less will do any more. I've tightened my criteria and we're training harder than ever before.

The Forum published a story on All Smart Pets Training for the It's My Job feature, and I am still getting calls, comments, and emails about it. The article turned out wonderful, and I'm very proud.

Then the UKC show last weekend. A busy month.

One of my all-time favourite bands is Queen. I admire their chutzpah in singing "We Are the Champions." They really did have remarkable confidence in their abilities and never stopped believing in themselves.

Here and now I am adopting that attitude. I am taking the success I want. It's addicting - a few high scores, a couple of ribbons. I'm doing what I love, "Listen all you people, come gather round." I'm gonna sing "Don't Stop Me Now" as loudly as possible, (though not nearly as well as Freddie) because after all, "I Want It All - And I Want It NOW!"


BTW - stop on over at http://allsmartpets.areavoices.com/ too. I wrote another post on a similar topic, but less Dear Diary than this one. It's called "Hunger."

Catch you all again soon! Happy training. And thank you for being my friend!

Tie-Outs and Barking Dogs

A lot of you may not like what I have to say today, and that’s OK. In fact, I’m going to be very blunt. I’m done trying to be nice on this issue.

If your dog is outside barking at people that walk past your house, don’t complain to me about it. I will simply ask you why you let it happen. I can’t fix it. It’s NOT a TRAINING problem. It’s a people problem. Specifically, YOUR problem.

Here’s how you fix it:

No tie-outs.

No outside kennels.

No bark collars. No e-collars.

No choke chains. No prong collars.

No corrections of any kind.

Your dog will never, I mean NEVER, be outdoors without you, on a 6-foot leash (not a flexi.)

You will get dressed early on a Saturday morning and take him out to potty.

You will give him extra time to poop, too.

You will walk him around the block multiple times per day.

You will not use the tie out just while you are grilling, or eating, or chatting with friends.

You will not leave him out while you run inside for just a minute.

Period. End of story.

Your dog is barking for a reason. And it’s not because he likes getting zapped or sprayed or choked. 

“He’s being territorial.” “He’s protecting me.”

Bull. He’s not paying the mortgage. You are. Until he does, it’s your yard. And since you’re out with him, you can walk him to the other side until the neighbor dog passes.

“He’s just saying hi.” “He wants to play.” “He’s not vicious, he’s energetic.”

Woof & sniff is saying hi. BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK (growl) BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK is not “Good afternoon. How are you? Did you hear the gossip about Fifi?” And since you’re out with him, when a dog friend comes by, you can let them greet each other politely.

“He’s always been like that.” “He was abused as a puppy.” “His breed always barks.”

And if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got.  Remember, you’re out there with him now.

“Oh, he’s usually fine.” “He only barks at _______.”

But sometimes he does bark, and sometimes _______ comes past. And it’s something you want to change. So you’re outside with him now.

“They feed off each other’s barking.”

So take them out one at a time. You are taking them out on leash and staying with them, right?

“He won’t pay attention to me.” “I can’t get him to stop.”

Why should he pay attention to you when you haven’t paid attention to him? But now, you do pay attention to him, because you’re out there with him. Building a relationship.

“He likes spending time outside.” “Dogs should be outside.”

Really? Then why is he barking? Let’s talk about your relationship. Which is improving because you’re outside with him. Right?

“I want him to bark, once. Then stop.” “He lets me know when someone comes.”

And since you are now outside with him, on leash, you can take care of the situation, visitor, or distraction. And if not, then you subconsciously want to own a reactive dog, and that’s a whole different ball game.

If you want to train your dog to pay attention to you, come when called, or follow your cues, by all means it’s a training issue.  Does he bark while you’re out on a walk? Want to figure out what your dog is telling you with his barking? Need help helping him overcome his fears? Would you like your dog to play with you? Wish your relationship were better? All these things can be addressed in training or behavior modification.  And in all these aspects, YOU are integral as your dog’s guardian, companion, owner, parent.

Housetraining Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Housetraining doesn’t happen overnight

The first order of business when someone gets a dog is to teach him or her where to go to the bathroom, and preferably not on the living room carpet. It doesn’t have to be an onerous task, but it does take some effort and commitment. And it’s not a fait accompli once taught. Housetraining can be a life-long issue if not addressed properly. Unfortunately, poor housetraining can also be a death sentence.

Many people have memories of their previous dog, who was a breeze to housetrain. Never any messes in the house, always asked politely to go outside, even eliminated when told to. Bring a new puppy into the house, and suddenly there are accidents everywhere.

Let me suggest that memories can be selective. You may remember the play, the great walks, and the companionship of the last 12 years while not remembering all the little piddles she made when she was 12 weeks old. Now you have a 12-week-old puppy who contradicts your memories of the past 12 years. This new life isn’t the same dog you lost, nor does she come with the memories of that previous best friend. That’s challenging, even threatening, whether you acknowledge it or not.

When puppies are born, they are not even able to go by themselves. Momma-dog has to stimulate them by licking – and that helps keep the puppies and the den or whelping box clean. Be grateful human babies don’t require that! A puppy’s bladder isn’t developed sufficiently to hold it for long. A general rule of thumb is one hour for each month in age the puppy is. Of course, that varies for each puppy a little. It would be unreasonable to expect a 12-week-old puppy to hold it more that 3 hours. If left alone for longer without opportunity to eliminate in an appropriate place, an accident is not her accident, it’s yours.

The rules of housetraining are simple.

Use a crate to help confine her when you can’t directly supervise.

Movement gets things moving! If puppy is up & about, take her out!

Eating stimulates her too.

And when she wakes up from a nap, everything wakes up… take her out.

Set a feeding schedule and she’ll be easier to predict.

Potty first, then play. Then potty again.

Reward her for doing it outside.

Train with the final substrate you want her to use – don’t use papers or potty pads first.

Take responsibility for accidents. It’s not her fault if you didn’t watch or get her out in time.

Clean, clean, clean.

Build a loving and trusting relationship without fear or avoidance.

We’re asking our dogs to live in a world of human making: a nice home, dangerous traffic, a dependable source of food, and often limited mental and physical stimulation. Understanding and patience go a long way in building a life together.

Treibball & Crosstraining

I am having so much fun!! Kiernan and I are working hard at learning Treibball right now, and it’s amazing!

For those of you yet to discover treibball, it’s herding for the urban dog. With big exercise balls – the ones you can sit on. There are some excellent videos on YouTube.com demonstrating the sport. Just search for “urban herding.” Out in a big open field there are 8 balls arranged in a triangle, with the point away from a soccer goal at one end. In come a dog and handler toward the goal. Then one at a time, the dog goes out to the balls, and nudges them into the goal.

I can’t believe how many of the elements we’re practicing will apply to our other goals… like formal obedience and herding. That’s not even considering the teamwork and relationship building just from working together. He has to go out around the balls to a spot beyond them and wait for direction. There’s our go outs for directed jumping, and away to me and go bye for herding. That pause before beginning to push the balls? Perfect time to practice the signal exercise. Our next exercise was to learn how to stay on the opposite side of a ball from me. We started with a stationary ball, so he’s had a lot of practice swinging his rear into a nice straight front, and keeping straight with me as either I or the ball change positions. And his drop on recall was taught using a distant object to go around – like the go-out.

Yea for cross training! (And watch for us in the obedience ring…)

Here’s the really cool thing – there’s no breed restrictions. Any dog can learn to do it.

For anyone that’s interested, I am teaching an introductory class to treibball at Lucky Dog in Detroit Lakes on Saturdays this summer. Class starts at noon. Call 218-847-4100 to register for the next session!

Please Announce Yourself When Passing Others

I've submitted this to the Forum as a Letter to the Editor - a whole new experience for me. Let's see if it gets picked up. I could say this all in much stronger language, and as dog people, I'm sure you've experienced similar instances of being surprised by people - and dogs - coming up behind you unexpectedly. I try to write as I train - using positive reinforcement and not alienating people before they get past the first sentence. Let me know!

Flood waters are receding and daylight lasts into evening. Mosquitoes are still minimal. Bicycles and snow blowers can trade parking spaces in the garage for a while. Spring is truly here. It’s time to walk the dog.

I enjoy walking through Fargo-Moorhead’s beautiful parks and neighborhoods, and just one simple addition would make it perfect: that cyclists, runners, and roller bladers announce when they are approaching from behind.

I appreciate knowing when someone needs to pass by me and my dogs. It’s de rigueur in other cities, and should be here too.

It’s really a safety issue. When I know someone is approaching, I can keep my dogs’ focus, move out of the way if necessary, and make sure leashes are short. You don’t have to slow down or swerve away, and there’s no worries a dog will suddenly dart across your path after a squirrel in a tree opposite.

Some dogs startle easily or have fear issues about certain situations. An owner who can minimize these stressors helps keep you safe, and helps their dog deal with the realities of city life.

So please, please, simply call out “On your left” or “Passing” to others.