| I agree German. Even in the youngest of pups, from the time of whelp, they are fighting for their "position" in the pack. From squirming and fighting for the nipple to nurse, to fighting for the largest amount of food when on solids, toys, the "spot" closest to the bitch etc.
Think about it. How much food aggression would there be if they didn't have to "fight" for their share? If breeders would feed each pup seperately? How many 8 week old pups would growl and snap at the "new human" trying to get into "thier share"? It's the PUP fighting for his POSITION in the pack. The more dominant the pup; the more food he gets and gets it first.
I believe in my heart of hearts, from the second the pup is whelped, instinct to gain a solid position (whether it be with littermates or within the human family) is there.
I don't really buy into the "nature training" theory. ESPECIALLY since people tend to wait until the dog is 6 months old to decide that the behavior that was considered "cute" when he was 12 weeks is now a problem. "Rolling" a dog who is food/object/dog aggressive and growling in his face "like the mama dog would do" is an EXCELLENT way to be bitten.
Dogs are not "wild" anymore. Once they leave their littermates, their K9 pack order is disrupted. Even if it's a multi-dog household.
To expect for this dog to "just get over it" because you fooled him into thinking that you're a mama dog or a littermate is really setting not the dog but the OWNER up for failure.  |