Dogs correcting each other.

[Wrath]

At the risk of starting another lengthy debate:

The other afternoon, I opened the back patio door and stepped outside, and the dogs naturally followed. Our patio has a bench built into it, basically enclosing it like a low railing and beyond that is a row of bushes. We often go outside on the patio with the dogs off lead as it's blocked off pretty well. This day howeer, our GSD mix Dee gleefully lept over the bench and bushes and began trotting off into a nearby common area. I stepped over and went after her, scolding and telling her to get back in the patio. Jaxom stayed put, but watched intently. She quickly turned around and headed back with me behind her scolding. As soon as she was back in the patio area, jaxom rather gruffly reached over and grabbed her by the scruff, grumbling at her and to us it looked very much like he was scolding her.

He does this also when Dee jumps up on the couch or us and we tell her off. She gets down and Jaxom comes over and scruffs her.

Is this just Jaxom's way of scolding her too?

[Judi W]

Yes, and what he is doing is joining in what is pack behavior. It is the same principle as when several dogs go after another. He is joining the "winning" team - you!

[Burnsway]

Judi

Could you elaborate a bit on what you think should be done in a case like this. I personally think a dog needs to be set that it is not their place to scold, even if the (Human)pack leader is. I worry sometimes because when I'm scolding my daughter or raise my voice a bit, Psyche gets a more intense look and I don't like it one bit. But I also don't believe I should have to remove Psyche from the room every-time I raise my voice telling my kid to go clean her room or it's homework time.......roflmao!

I know this was between 2 dogs that Wrath is talking about but I have seen in the past, not in my home but others, dogs taking this behavior over into the human pack. In wraths situation I would have scolded jaxom, but wondering your opinion on this.

[Judi W]

I had one bitch who particularly enjoyed playing "cop" and when I was teaching, she was just dying to help correct any dog I was working with.

My solution - I'd have to pause just a second while I gave her a hard look, and said "Missy, don't even think about it"!!!!!

It means that if you are planning on disciplining, you need to be aware if the so-inclined dog is present. After a period of time, the dog gets the idea that you are not asking for help. I never used a loud voice or aggresive actions towards my boys when I was raising them, so that did not come into play. I rarely use those on dogs either, but she would watch to see if I was going to take a collar and give a shake. Again, I would make it clear ahead of time that she was not to help me.

Not saying this is your household, but while on the subject...........Households that are loud and aggressive by their very nature however poses a particular difficulty for breeds of dogs that have a protective heritage. This is a different thing also. The poor dog becomes quite torn in loyalties. How does a dog protect its pack when the danger is from within? That is why I am opposed to loud, yelling, hostile families owning breeds with a protective background.

[Burnsway]

Thanks Judi!

Actually thats exactly how I handle it only I don't say Watch it missy, I usually just say Dont even......:D

Thanks for saying not necessarily my household because we are loud at times in fun and just life but I was talking more like a tone of correction with my daughter such as, ***** I have asked you 2 times now,if you do not go clean your room like now their will be no swimming.......LOL!

I just noticed a ear gets cocked and a little intense stare shows up in Psyche and I just don't care for it......:o I think most dogs are going to take notice but I have seen this type of behavior wrath was talking about in many homes, and have seen it run over into the human pack.


Oh the ***** was not blocking out a cuss word it was blocking out her name........roflmao!

[Judi W]

Rottweilers are quite intuitive and I believe most quickly can tell the difference between "you're really in trouble" and fun. When she is cocking her ear while you are doing the "you're really in trouble" she is just waiting for it to turn into a fight so she can join in. You're handling it correctly.