| I definitly don't like to attribute human qualities to animal behavior, but here is something to consider. What causes jealousy in people? Isn't it generally based on what people perceive themselves as deserving, what they want, and whether or not they get it versus someone else who does? Aren't the stimulii for feelings of 'jealousy' in humans very similar to what evokes similar reactions in our fuzzy companions? I'm not suggesting that dogs are like humans, but maybe we're a bit more like dogs (and other animals) with our supposedly complex and sophisticated human qualites than we care to admit.
I don't think that it's completely a dominance issue either. Dee also tries to butt in when affection, play, or training is being dished out to Jaxom...she's just not as physical about implanting herself into the middle of things, her tactic is usually to zip in behind Jaxom as if to say 'Hey, I'm over here just in case you've got some extra'. When they see my wife and I cuddling, they generally come over to get some affection too. When we're eating, they try to stare us down with hopeful looks and wagging tails. You should see the circus that ensues when trying to work behaviors with one or the other. I'm trying to work Jaxom's down, Dee trots over, he pops up, I say 'ahh ahh...down' and she drops. He get's miffed, she pops up, I'm going 'I don't care anymore who does down, someone better drop'...it's like a 3 stooges episode sans ladder and hammer. When SERIOUSLY working with them, they're seperated...usually with a trip outside to the yard for practice.
Why should this be chained to dominance issues? If a dog sees food and decides he wants to eat some of it, we don't attribute that to dominance. I don't think I could stand the stress of thinking everything our dogs do is because they're trying to start a coup and claim leadership.  |