I've been absorbing the vid and info now for awhile. After watching the vid on ground work and introducing a dog to your home, I have a question. Since I have multiple dogs, how do I tell who the dominant dog is and where the others rank. I gather that you should not even pet the lower ranking dogs until you've petted the highest ranking dog. Out of two or three, what do you look for to find out who is top dog?

Thanks for any guidance...

George, this is just me, I know, and maybe you will get different replies, but I don't give a darn which dog ranks how. I rank #1 and they all rank #2.

I also don't allow overt displays of dominance among them. No posturing, no nothing.

I know who the more dominant dog in my house is (among the dogs), but it changes nothing in my treatment of any of them.

Also, I think I'd be spending all my energy and time on one-on-one basic ob with each of that pack. I don't think that "top dog" in a pack like that is something you even want to think about acknowledging, never mind encouraging.

Pack structure (particularly in this situation, with this history) is a matter of "I am in charge. Period."

JMO.

I agree with Connie 100%. This is how I treat my pack. Yes, I know there is a pecking order among them but I do not acknowledge it, and I do not permit any posturing among them. With four dogs, I frequently get asked by people "which one is the alpha?" (a concept that I think is misinformed) And my response is always, "I am."

And the choir sang: "Amen!"

Ms. Sutherland is absolutely right.

 Quote: connie sutherland

George, this is just me, I know, and maybe you will get different replies, but I don't give a darn which dog ranks how. I rank #1 and they all rank #2.

I also don't allow overt displays of dominance among them. No posturing, no nothing.

I know who the more dominant dog in my house is (among the dogs), but it changes nothing in my treatment of any of them.

Also, I think I'd be spending all my energy and time on one-on-one basic ob with each of that pack. I don't think that "top dog" in a pack like that is something you even want to think about acknowledging, never mind encouraging.

Pack structure (particularly in this situation, with this history) is a matter of "I am in charge. Period."

JMO.

That sums up what I was going to say....got a phone call & Connie beat me to it to type an answer.

I have a funny situation in my home, my female is more dominate outside & my male is inside....that being said I don't allow any of their doninate behaviors in or out. I nip it quick or I will have a fight on my hands. I am NUMERO UNO & I don't treat my dogs any differently they both get attention & the same treatment. They take turns at getting fed first, petted first, collar & leash on for an outing first etc.etc. My house my rules.

Gad zooks! I appreciate the choir here! Thank you to everyone who wrote. You've eased my mind...I have so much to learn. I have been treating them equally but as a novice (although I THOUGHT I knew something) I wanted to make sure that I wasn't making even more mistakes.

We had contractors here about three weeks ago. My two larger dogs were in the back and one of the workmen left the gate open. No problem that time...called them and they came back easily enough...and, pointed out to the guy not to leave the gate open. Then a couple of days later I had the three smaller dogs outside in front and the idiot left the gate open again . . . my big dogs came barreling out to attack the smaller dogs. The only good thing was that the fight was broken up fast thanks to the help of my better half. That incident put us back a lot. Now one of the smaller dogs is very uncomfortable in the front yard - always on the watch in the direction of the back yard! Crap.

It sounds like you should keep the big dogs & the smaller dogs securely seperated at all times. It is very unlikely that they will ever get along & the bigger dogs can sure do a number on the smaller ones if they really get into it.

It is not fair that a dog spend his life looking over his shoulder & or living in fear due to the bulling of another dog in the household.

Also sounds like you need to be better prepared & have a plan to be implimented to keep the dogs seperated in the event of service people at the house. Frankly, it is not the job of the service people to remember to keep your gates & doors closed to keep the dogs contained & seperated. It is your job. If you can't dedicate youself to doing this, it would be best to rehome dogs. I know that sounds harsh, but it is your job to keep ALL the memebers of the pack safe...even moreso from other members of the pack. You owe your little guys a big apology for your error.

First off, this is JUST me. I tend to do things a bit different then most with a pack.
I've had packs (minimum of 2,3,4 dogs) for the past 50 yrs or more. None have even been kept separate and that includes a lot of terriers.
"I" let them have somewhat of a pecking order simply because they ARE all together, all the time.
If I controlled every growl or warning I believe it just builds frustration and I can't be in control of that every waking hour. consequently there are no "suprises" when warnings are issued to one another. I don't believe these things just happen. There are issues that lead up to them.
I've never had a serious fight even when I've had multiple dogs and a bitch. Two bitches can be a different world altogether. When they decide they dislike one another it's generally forever. Males just seem to sort it out and know their place.
This past weekend My brother came over and we introduced his new, 3yr old Presa Canario to my two GSDs (kenneled together). We aren't looking for soul mates or even friends but they "will" be under control when together.
This was three intact males. Just a bit of fluffing up when my older GSD and my brother's Presa met but a simple "leave it" sufficed for them.
We then proceeded to the local park and they walked easily next to one another.
We didn't allow any pissing contest. When one went the other was not allowed to mark the others spot.
Bringing in an adult dog to a pack is also a whole nuther game and not unusual for them to not get along totally.
I've always introduced new pack members as a pup with no problems.
Adoptions and rescues have already developed their own little quirks and that can lead to a mess if your leadership skills aren't top notch.