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[borzoimom]

Your entitled to your opinion, I don't share that opinion though...apparantly not on a lot of subjects.

thats your decission not mine caseysmom- life is too short for that one. .. Have a nice day..

[borzoimom]

A pack of dogs is possible- look at Ceasar. And each knows his/her place in the pack life. ( only mine lived inside- I think I had like 5 vacs at one time.. lol.. jeeeeeeeeeeez what a blur..)

[TFTpwnsYou]

I actually acknowledged the top animal 1st. When I got my 1st dog we had cats way before a dog so I made sure the cats knew they still came 1st and the dog was not here to take over. Now they looove each other. When I got my 2nd dog I made sure that my 1st got acknowledged on pets, treats, in and out of the house and so on. Even though I know he wouldn't have cared I just found it more respectful to him since he is 2nd in command(me being 1st rank officer). Kind of like a ranking in military and such. Then nobody gets jelous because they have their place and there is no need to fight for position.

[borzoimom]

thank you tft- I have never had a fight in this method- they alllllll know who is what to whom..

[critter crazy]

I agree with Borzoimom! Yes the human is always the top dog, but there is still a heirarchy to the dogs! They have to have order just like we do. no matter how delusioned you are dogs always have a heirarchy, there is always a top dog! One will always be at the top of the order. It is the way they are, going back to the wolves. There is no getting around this, it is instinct.

[borzoimom]

I agree with Borzoimom! Yes the human is always the top dog, but there is still a heirarchy to the dogs! They have to have order just like we do. no matter how delusioned you are dogs always have a heirarchy, there is always a top dog! One will always be at the top of the order. It is the way they are, going back to the wolves. There is no getting around this, it is instinct.

Yes ma'am there is- and if you let the pack mentality of who is who take over but we are the top dog, you never have fights. I never did- and I let their natural nature of what their place is be the opperating factor. There is no way in the world you could control 35 dogs or even 4 if this was not in place. Each dog loves their place in order- its their place and they know it...
Now Zubin is under hottie out of age, but he is intact. But he knows- hottie is boss ( after me of course) and has NEVER challeneged Hottie because of this. Hottie, at his age and medical situation could never fight back- but no need for that worry- it was set- Hottie is boss. I let the pack mentality of who is where and in what order do most of the work. That is how I got 35 dogs to live in unison- seperated only at eating time and bed time for sleep..

[critter crazy]

It was the same way with my horses! Cocoa was top mare cause she was here first! Zoey came next, but she was so young(8 months) that when Alkris an older mare came she took second, which left Zoey at third. They knew their order, and we never had any problems. I was top mare, but they still had their own order. It is nature. It si what keeps them happy. Without order there is chaos!

[borzoimom]

It was the same way with my horses! Cocoa was top mare cause she was here first! Zoey came next, but she was so young(8 months) that when Alkris an older mare came she took second, which left Zoey at third. They knew their order, and we never had any problems. I was top mare, but they still had their own order. It is nature. It si what keeps them happy. Without order there is chaos!

EXACTLY!!! Very good.. !!!

[sumbirdy]

It's important to dogs to have their place in a the pack. It gives them comfort and security and lets them know just where they belong. All my dogs have an order in the pack. They make the order. When a new dog comes in they decide where he or she should be in the pack. I don't know the exact order they are but I know that Lacy is the top dog over all of them (even though she is the smallest dog I have).

[bluebird]

YUP!! Everyone of them!! lol.. You should have seen my house at the time.. lol.. The dinning room/living room and family room had wall to wall crates- they all had their group. I got at 5am and started routines .. lol.. It can be done but takes serious committment to do so. My day ended at 10pm.. Then start again.. whew- these days seem like a total blur! Most could have a operating groups. I did have 3 I had to keep seperated though. But during the day they were just one big group unless I had a female in season or a retired police dog until he learned how to handle a group again. I actually remember it fondly= busy- but fondly.. ( just too old for that obviously- ) The yard was 5 acres fenced but had like 3 yards with gates to let the groups out.. Everyone knew which door was theres. .. I will see if I can load some pictures. You seem to be more receptive..

The concept is absolutely fascinating and mind blowing all at the same time. Were they all just pets or was there another reason for having so many dogs, such as rescue work etc?

[borzoimom]

It's important to dogs to have their place in a the pack. It gives them comfort and security and lets them know just where they belong. All my dogs have an order in the pack. They make the order. When a new dog comes in they decide where he or she should be in the pack. I don't know the exact order they are but I know that Lacy is the top dog over all of them (even though she is the smallest dog I have).

Amen- they like their place- it does give security and they seem to enjoy like " ohhhhhhhhhhh boy- I am number 5... everybody congo..." lol..

[bellamia_525]

Thanks borzoimom, actually it does help acknowledging her first. I come home and pay attention to her first and by the time I go to him, she's not so upset. And this morning I was sooooo happy because she was actually playing with him like I hoped she would. It doesn't happen too often yet, but shes getting there. So thanks again for the info and as soon as I get pics I will put them up. Thanks again.

[borzoimom]

Thanks borzoimom, actually it does help acknowledging her first. I come home and pay attention to her first and by the time I go to him, she's not so upset. And this morning I was sooooo happy because she was actually playing with him like I hoped she would. It doesn't happen too often yet, but shes getting there. So thanks again for the info and as soon as I get pics I will put them up. Thanks again.

that is how it works- the proof is in the pudding.. I am glad things are better. This is the method I used for years and it works. It may not make sense to us but it does to them. All new comers would be at the bottom of the pack. They accept that ... Good luck. I am here if you need anymore help..
BTW- got any pics????

[borzoimom]

opps - sorry- you said the pics were coming.. Looking forward to seeing them.. !!! Take care.

[Jakesmom]

I'm curious, what do you do if the first dog is totally "beta"? Jake, the golden, was 8 years old when we got Sophie, the ECS. Jake was an only dog for from puppyhood until he was 2, then we had a wheaton terrier for about 5 years and he died at age 13. Sophie, the English Cocker, LOVES her big brother, and he sort of tolerates her. She pesters him, tries to get him to play, licks his ears constantly, etc, and rarely he lets out a small growl, which stops her for about 30 seconds.

I can't figure out which one is alpha?--I think its Jake, as Sophie does listen to him, if only briefly, and he certainly never changes his behavior because of her, but what do you do if you have an easy going first dog and an exuberant and/or "alpha" newcomer?

Jakesmom