[Dailydrool] Alpha dog

[dpmcquade at verizon.net]

Dale:
It is possible that Snoopy will be the alpha, but perhaps not very likely.

We have had five dogs at various times, but never an alpha male. I had been told, when we first got involved in rescue that with bassets the females usually end up as alpha. It has certainly been borne out in our pack, whether we had fosters, visitors, or adoptees in the house.
Don't be surprised if Gracie ends up being pack leader. It's a female thing. But let the dogs work it out between themselves, once she is fully healthy. If you keep intervening, you will just slow down the process and keep them unsettled. They have to do it on their own.

Recently I read that any place in the pack is good, if the dog is happy with it. That has certainly proved true with our Dexter. Even before he lost his eye, he was a very submissive hound. We had a transport come through here and stay for less than an hour. It was obvious, even in that short time, that if she had stayed, she would have been above him in pack order. He's just happiest being the at the bottom of the pack.

Most of the pack-ordering arguments are simply sound and fury. The dogs look as if they will do murder, but they don't. As long as no one gets hurt, let them work it out privately. Intervene if blood is about to be shed. Noise does not constitute a reason to intervene, but seeing a dog get to close to really hurting another does.

Within a couple of weeks, they should have settled the pack order. If Snoopy isn't top dog, don't worry, as long as he's happy with the final outcome. And you may be surprised to find that he doesn't mind taking second place. Our Jane was pack leader for twelve years and enforced that position regularly but gently. When Holly came into the house, she slowly deferred to her. It was such a shock to me, but evidently Jane just wasn't going to fight for her spot all that seriously.
 
Support whoever comes out on top, and you should be fine. I know the books say an alpha will go out the door first and reinforce the position in various ways. Be aware that different dogs do this in different ways. Jane never cared about who went out the door first--Holly does. But the dog who regularly gets its way in important things like picking sleeping places, getting fed first, being closest to you, and so on will be your alpha dog.
Pam, food slave to the Dashing Bassets and foster mom to numerous others