Originally posted by carrie

The other factor I am considering is the change in weather - at this time of year wild northern hemisphere canids are starting to pack more tightly. It seems sensible that older Alpha animals begin to feel the cold and the effort of keeping warm as well as having energy to hunt will tell on them more than a younger animal. This may be the opportunity that younger dominant animals have been waiting for to challenge, seriously, for leadership. This may be the trigger for some of the fights that are occuring in established dog parks. It is also the time of year when most two or three year old animals are getting comfy in their adult skin and feeling pretty confident - this may also be a factor as most puppies (in the wild, at least) are born early in the spring and will reach the peak of fitness and confidence at this time of year. In pet dogs this may be a residual behaviour, not actually needed but still somewhat in evidence.
I find this so interesting Carrie
We have been having, not what I'd call trouble...but squabbles.
Angus (our rottie) has never really been alpha even though he's been here 10 years longer than Roxey (our Sib).
But here in the last, I'd say 2-3 weeks, Roxey has been really trying to show him she is boss. He still never backs down from here unless I think they are getting a little out of hand & I make them quit.
She is 2 yrs and 5 mos, do you think she could be trying to make sure she is the dominat one? He's 12 now and can't handle himself quite as well as he used to (his back legs aren't nearly as strong as they used to be). Alot of times if she jumps on him or pushes him around he will go down, even though he probably weighs about 50-60 lbs more than her.
So....what do you think?