Doggie Dynamics

When you live with 2 packs of dogs, the dynamics are constantly changing.  While in each pack there is an Alpha male and an Alpha female, if they were left to their own devices one pack would take out the other.  Which is why they are divided in the first place.  But there is another dynamic that considers the totality of the 2 packs and makes them a whole unit.  This is where it gets really interesting because it is in this whole unit when all the members are fighting for the position of being next to an Alpha human.  They compete for my attention to be the number two.  This has nothing to do with the other dogs.  Their focus is on me.

Every time I'm with the Front Pack, (Chance and Blaze) Fiona will bark and bark by the sliding glass door.  Not to go out, but she is vying for my attention.  Zappa does the same thing, but is more direct about it.  For example, if treats are involved with the Front Dogs, Zappa demands my attention away from the Front Dogs.  Sure, he wants treats too, but he's also driving for equality or complete control of the situation.

And the Front Dogs are the same way.  When I'm on the Back Dogs side (Zappa and Fiona) Blaze will bark and bark to pull me from the Back Dogs to her side.  Even if it is only for a moment or two.  She wants that reassurance that she is my #2 dog.  Chance who used to hardly bark, has now found his voice after the fight he had with Blaze.  He took the Alpha position from Blaze and is now top dog of the Front Dogs.  He too now uses his voice to draw me in his center for the reassurance of being #2 with me.

If that wasn't complex enough, if the truth was known, the position they are all vying for, that #2 placement, is the one I had with Brut. (their father)  Total equality and a sharing in the Alpha human position.  Brut was as close to an Alpha dog as was possible to me.  Most decisions about the packs we made together, especially with the Back Dogs as they were Brut's pack. 

So of course the dynamics took a fatal blow when Brut died.  Most of the impact was cushioned by Silver(Momma Dog).  So much so that there was very little changed in the hierarchy.  This is until Silver died and the monarchy collapsed and has been in the process of rebuilding, even two years later.

This is where I find myself and the packs today.  One thing I have always strive for is equality among all the dogs.  If someone gets a treat, they all get a treat, time, training, etc.

And now I'm beginning to question myself in this strategy and wonder if it fits with these two packs of dogs with such dynamics?  Maybe being equal with them is hindering some of their placement questions that they are fighting for?  Does it take a little more to realize that Chance (my heart dog) is the next second Alpha to me?  He already has Zappa's attention.

Or am I to be the Alpha to them on an individual basis?  Striving for all their unique qualities?  Must I change with the dynamics?  Or stay the solid rock they need as they twist and turn into their new positions of beings?

Time will only tell.

See, Zappa ad Fiona are equal Alphas to each other.  They take turns being the boss.  Whereas Chance doesn't.  He broke away from being equal to Blaze when he challenged her in that last fight.  I wonder if he is trying to be my equal?

This has been happening slowly for the past couple of years.  I swore I would never have another equal like Brut.  I still don't know that I'd ever be ready or want it, yet here it is happening all along.  Once I accept that, everything is going to change again.

And the cycle of life continues...

Who's Top Dog? Zappa's Revenge

Studying and observing dog behavior is fascinating.  I can never get enough of it.

For those of you who have felt bad for Zappa getting the brunt of Brut,

let me ease your mind.

Zappa rules the living room for the most part and when Brut walks in Zappa lets him know it!

Zappa tenses up, Brut is coming...

The Brut and Fiona's Relationship-Alpha and Omega

Brut and Fiona have this awesome relationship that started when Fiona was young.  They have a proper pack relationship.  Fiona automatically submits to Brut.  When Brut corrects Fiona, it is usually only for a few seconds and then they are off play bowing and chasing each other.  She keeps her head and tail lower than him, staying close to the ground if needing to submit immediately.  To me it is completely fascinating, as the only other time I have seen this hierarchy in action is during documentaries about wolves.

When there isn't an friction between them, they are basically equal and I have witnessed Brut give in to Fiona many times.  Fiona is amazing in her speed and wit and can usually outsmart Brut with a single move, but when Brut calls rank, she is down.  No questions, no challenge, no nothing.  Consider me an equal opportunist but I've have never completely understood the purpose of the lower ranked dogs.  They are always cowering and look like they've been beaten, but somehow I understand in witnessing this respectful relationship between Fiona and Brut how powerful it can really be.

I have always wanted to record a full blown account of this Alpha-Omega in action, but this was the closest I could find.  In this video from last fall, you can see in the beginning as Fiona meets Brut at his level, then her head starts to drop, then her tail, until she is sitting.  It is like bowing with the ultimate respect and having it returned.  That is the part that blows me away. 

Brut and Fiona's relationship is the most direct form of the Alpha-Omega relationship that I have witness between the four Back Dogs and I find myself in a bit of awe about it.  How about you? 

For those of you with more than one dog do you see this same dominance-submission traits in your pack?  

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Now sing if with me...R-E-S-P-E-C-T find out what it means to me...

You can't have any relationship without respect.  I believe this includes your dog.  Where did I learn this valuable lesson?  Yep, you guess it, Mr. Brut.  That boy demanded respect from the time we brought him home.  He commanded to be heard, acknowledged, and the freedom to be the proud dog he is.  

Respect blew doors wide open between Brut and I and taught me about equality in a human-dog relationship. While I have always had a high respect for animals, Brut helped to take to another level.  I have never been comfortable with the master-slave relationship, but didn't honestly find the total freedom from this idea until we got Brut.  He taught me the true meaning of respect.  Loving unconditionally, trusting with affection and giving him the space to become the dog he is today.

Conventional training suffocated both of us.  It never gave us the space to grow or be ourselves.  It bound us. Our spirits are too restless and creative to conform to standards not to mention we weren't being true to ourselves.  Which I find is the key, being true to ourselves.  Being who we really are and accepting each other as we are.

I have struggle with this most of my life.  I have struggle with accepting Brut for how he is.  Dealing with his dog aggressions has not been easy.  I have hated that part of him for a long time.  The day I looked into those eyes and saw the aggressor in him, I didn't see a killer.  I saw a dog full of hurt and immense pain that made my heart stop.  He was suffering.  I understood his pain for it was my own.  I never looked at him the same again.

From there it took our relationship to another level of respect.  He taught me to give him more and he gave it back in return.  Each step leading us closer to healing with a higher regard for each other.  We were both trying to break free from that box of rules that others were trying to shove us in.  There is a deeper meaning to our relationship that can only be explained with our eyes.  I have carried this value on to each puppy that was born from our litter, each of our dogs, our cats, our duck, and every creature I have encounter.

Life is too short not to savor every precious moment.  To learn to understand and accept another.  There is nothing sweeter than a meaningful relationship that encompasses respect and love.  When Brut looked me in the eyes that day, I did not deserve the respect he gave me, but he gave it to me anyways.  I was humbled, because I hadn't earned it and he still gave it to me.  The ultimate love.  I believe he knew far greater my struggles with him than I knew and because he understood, he gave me what I needed most, respect.

To understand how my hate towards Brut came about you can read A Little Bit About Brut and Me.         

The Brut Mood

Having six dogs I find myself drawn to a particular personality when I'm in a certain mood.  Today I was in a "Brut mood."  Brut being the alpha dog knows how to clear the room with his presence.  Just the right look puts others in their place.  He really does very little to exert this control, it is like a aura around him.  The most amazing thing I witness is the utmost respect that is given and received by all the dogs.  There are days I would love to have this kind of power.  To be able to have our entire life put in place with a look.  To have everything where I would like it by just entering the room.  Wouldn't that be cool?  To never have to worry about a rudeness because I could just give the Brut stare.  To be able to command that type of respect without using force.  Maybe the world would be a nicer place if we followed the simple principals of dogs.