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If You Own Two Dogs, Can You Control Who’s The Alpha Dog?
Excerpt : Dear Mr. Katz: I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was
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BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will "hump" him. I always feed her first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanut just doesn't seem to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie but after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I think he is trying to challenge her because the playing time more recently has turned into fighting. It's more barking than anything -- to date there has been no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top 
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She also displays the same aggression toward the cat. If the cat comes into her "area" when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She'll chase the cat away with growling and quickly running after her. ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She will learn not to chase the cat in the house. BETH CONTINUES: So here's the big question. What do I do? Do I continue to treat Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them fight it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat? HELP! Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book is great by the way.... Regards, Beth Dear Beth: Thanks for the question. There is ONE big point you're not conceptualizing: You can 
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However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I've written about in past issues of my e-zine. I'm going to reprint it for your benefit: A subscriber wrote: "Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. 'We determine who will be the alpha dog.' Correct? " My reply: "No, no no! You cannot do this! It's impossible!!! The dogs' temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine if you're dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you cannot work it out for them. You can control the dogs' behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you: -are the alpha dog in the pack. and you have voice control. But as soon as you leave the dogs together-- unsupervised-- and 
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Think of taking a group of four kids. Kid#1 will grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral. Kid#2 will grow up to be a fierce criminal defense attorney. Kid#3 will grow up to be a middle management executive for a large firm. Kid#4: will grow up to be a peace activist and a socialist. Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may say, "Kid#4... you're in charge." And as long as you're around, Kid#4 may get the privileges of being the "so-called" top dog. But as soon as you leave... It's going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to be the bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the "top dog." Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing-- depending upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest kid who will become the group leader. Even though kid
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Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2 becomes the new kid#1. In other words, the "Alpha dog." Until you get home. Then you're the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog. Get it? Beth, as far as you've described your dogs' interactions... it doesn't sound to me like you've got a problem. It sounds just like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the dogs in person it's impossible to tell for sure. To read more of my dog training ramblings, read about my book (click below): Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer! http://tinyurl.com/4efaq About the Author Author, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!“ which you can read more about at:
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