Moving down in the ranks? Can a puppy be Alpha?
When they play, Callie will pick up Lambda by the scruff of her neck and carry her to wherever Callie wants to play... and then the wrestling begins. They chew on each other nonstop. Callie will pin Lambda down, then Lambda will escape and hide under low furniture and then they will play "whack-a-mole" for a while. All of this makes me think that Callie is in charge. But lately, something interesting has starting happening. When Callie has a toy that Lambda wants, Lambda will get MAD! Callie will growl and snap at her, but that doesn't stop the little one. She'll run up and try to grab the toy and then run back. Or she'll run up and grab some of Callie's hair and pull on it. And then she starts barking. She will get up in Callie's face and bark nonstop until Callie gives up and lets her have the toy. Lambda will then take it away and hide under the furniture with it. Then Callie comes and stands in front of my husband with this look on her face that says "Dad, she stole my toy! It's not fair!" It cracks me up! But I'm not sure what to make of it... Do you think this means Lambda is going to outrank Callie in our pack? Or is Callie just being a nice big sister and letting her have the toy? (yeah, right)  |
|
|
| Mine take turns being the alpha.
The oldest doesn't seem to care about some stuff - who goes out the door first, who gets the first ookie. Sometimes the others go out to potty and he will wait until they come back in to go out. And they will follow him back out. The others seems to follow his lead in many circumstances. And if he growls, they listen. The next oldest has to be the first one out of the door and first inside - house and car. If she is lying on the bed, she snaps at the others when they jump up on the bed. She was in charge of disciplining the puppy - well, she seemed to enjoy it. Kind of a wanna-be alpha, but she listens to the oldest. They never fight. The youngest is a typical little sister. She drapes herself on the ottoman next to me, not letting the others have a chance to get up there. And at night, she has claimed the spot closest to my head - which may be because that is all that is left. She is the agitator, the one to start the play. She is the first one that the kitten bonded with - which was a huge shock. They have to work it out between them. It may be that Callie is being nice to the puppy, an isn't-that-cute-period that eventuually wears off. You can't decide the pack leader for them. If you do, it can lead to issues between them when you aren't around. |
| Sounds exactly like what is going on in my house too! I've been wondering the same thing you are. At times Annie clearly demonstrates her alpha position...other times she could care less. Lately, when she growls at Foz, he just steps back and barks his head off at her. She will often give in instead of getting headache, pick up a toy and play with him. Cracks me up! |
| Chances are good the pug will become a soft alpha, it's their nature to boss. But as others have said, "alpha" is relative in most situations where the humans are such a major part of the pack.
Right now enjoy the show. |
| I think often the alpha switches between dogs. Maybe Callie and Anne are taking a maternal position every now and then to teach the "youngins" how to behave in doggie society. I can't really say that either Pirate or Keira are cleary alpha. Maybe, co-alphas. |
SheepieBoss wrote: Right now enjoy the show. It's true - they do put on a good show. When they get in those moods, Jon and I just sit there and watch, cracking up the whole time.  |
Callie's Mom wrote: SheepieBoss wrote: Right now enjoy the show. It's true - they do put on a good show. When they get in those moods, Jon and I just sit there and watch, cracking up the whole time. I know! It's the best nighttime entertainment! |
Video     |
| Stacey, off topic, I love Annies look, the length of hair in the pics of her and Fozzie....Can you remember what the groomer did (size wise on the clippers) Or did you do it? Just trying to get a feel for what I will do with Allie in the future! Thanks, Chris |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|