A Pack of Ten
There are two branches of a canine’s rank. One is there natural rank that is determined by the dog’s personality, and the other is a rank that is determined by other dogs within the dog’s pack. There are naturally dominant, carefree, and submissive personalities, with variations within each of these three descriptions. As an example, I like to describe canines using my, “Pack of Ten.” In nature, packs vary in size from two up to twelve and some packs can even be larger. These principles apply regardless of the size of the pack. I label number one, as the alpha dog, at the top of the social ladder. I label number ten, as the most submissive dog, at the bottom of the social ladder.
I can label two dogs in the same pack as naturally ranking number three dogs. When in a pack, one of the canines will rise to a number two or sink to a number four depending upon the other pack members. Often, a dog’s natural status is different from its social status in its’ family unit. Providing the canine is not of higher status than the owner (once taught), on the social ladder, then the handler must allow the dogs to figure out their social status amongst themselves on their own. The handler only intervenes if the dogs are looking to cause injury to each other in order to establish rank.
As the handler, we are primarily concerned with the canine’s natural rank. This is because we are working with the dog one on one, and we are presenting ourselves with quality communication and guidance that should gain respect as that of an alpha dog. Over the 2,300 dogs I have worked with to-date (2009), I have experienced less than twenty true alpha dogs. These are dogs that refuse to step down from the throne, despite an ideal presentation by the handler. These true alphas will often defend their destiny at all costs! People often say that their dog is an alpha dog. I can tell you statistically that I am ninety-nine percent sure that they are wrong. Poor communication and a lack of effort are two of the main reasons for these false conclusions. I have seen people call dogs alpha dogs that are actually as low as number eight dogs. The dogs simply know the owner’s ins and outs better than the owner knows himself or herself.
I will give brief descriptions of how I label personality traits with natural and social ranks. The alpha dog is the number one dog in the pack. He will step down for no one. He will be ousted from the pack before stepping down. This canine was blueprinted to be at the top. However, this does not mean that this dog will not listen at all, but in any environment where stimulated by something or someone other than the handler, the canine will never hesitate to go to the stimulus. Respect is challenged with a distractive environment of any kind, is not an issue with this dog because he feels that he is at the top. These dogs are very stressful to live with, and depending upon the household, they sometimes have to be removed because the alpha dogs will defend their status regardless of any consequences. Alpha dogs are usually cocky, confident, and like to throw their weight around, especially when feeling inferior. They are generally not good with other dogs in a human world because they are exceptionally controlling, and the other dog never gets a rest from this alpha dog who is often a tyrant. I have only dealt with a handful of dogs that I would place within this rank, and only one of them was a female; the rest were males. After reading this passage on alpha dogs I guess common sense tells a person that it would be wise to try to avoid these dogs.
The number two dog in the pack is personally my favorite canine in the pack. In my experience, these canines tend to be females. This canine is very interesting. She has some of the same traits as the alpha dog, but has much more to offer the handler. She is bold, confident, serious, but playful. Usually adores a good handler. Out of the entire pack, I feel that this dog is the most creative thinker. She has the ability to think outside the box and most canines do not do that on their own. Very often these dogs are high energy and always on the go. They are true workaholics. They are always on-duty. I feel that this canine is the ultimate real working companion for me. She has drive, desire, team orientation, and will remain at the top of her game for more years than most dogs do. Despite the high praise I give this dog, she is not for everyone. Only fantastic handlers should work this dog. The combination of all the qualities inherent in this dog can work against a handler if he does not use it to his advantage. At times, the ultimate working dog makes its’ own decisions about how to get the job done, and sometimes the handler disagrees, but being the dominant dog that she is, she takes the bull by the horns to complete the task. A good handler will work the dog in a fashion, and in an environment that keeps the dog connected, until the handler needs the canine to pull some tricks out of her sleeve in specific situations. Unfortunately, these alpha dogs frequently live a restricted life because people let their talents turn into terrors, mostly due to ignorance. This canine usually has such wonderful potential!
Canines ranking from numbers three to five within a pack are so similar that often the only way to really decide their rank is to take their interaction with other dogs into consideration. I believe that these three ranks make up the largest group of canines in the canine population. The number three dogs can get fairly dominant on occasion, but other than that, the canines within these three ranks are nearly equals. Characteristics that I often associate with these canines are; a carefree personality when it comes to activities and environments, the potential to be slavishly obedient for a good handler, a “by the book” kind of dog, a follower, an affectionate companion, and in cases where others are pushing them around, they push back. Possessiveness can be an issue from time to time with these dogs, but many problems can be worked out fairly easily with some effort. I would, on a whole, recommend these dogs for the average family. Generally, they are naturally good-natured, and if any aggression is displayed, others usually induce it. For a novice handler, this dog is a good choice. The number six dog is a transitional pack member, in my book. I do not want to classify this canine along with dogs ranking three to five, because it can display signs of a naturally submissive personality. However, I do not want to place it with canines ranking seven to nine, because this dog does not show outward signs of insecurity without being provoked. Unlike its surrounding pack members this canine is almost incapable of being aggressive. I have never worked with a number six dog that had any aggressive faults. I say almost never because there is never a guarantee. Number six dogs are good dogs to own but greatly limited in numbers.
I collectively place canines ranking as numbers seven to nine in a separate group. On a whole, they are very similar, but number seven certainly is not as naturally submissive as the other two ranks. These dogs display traits of insecurity, submissiveness towards pack members, closed-minded attitude, and without the help of the handler they are incapable of thinking outside the box, and often they have difficulty having fun because they are usually dwelling on bad things. To really decide who is what amongst these three ranks, pack interaction is almost a must. Seven to nine ranked dogs do not make good working dogs under normal circumstances. They can make acceptable family dogs, but they should never be trusted, especially with children, due to aggression possibilities.
The number ten canine in the pack is a mess! Boy…oh boy…does this dog have problems! This canine shares some traits with the canines that rank from seven to nine in the pack. However this dog’s problems intensify twofold. Two of the dogs that I had recommended medication for I ranked as number ten dogs, in the pack. Everyone always feels sorry for this dog, but as a family dog stay away from it! Naturally, there only a few number ten dogs; most are ranked as such due to social influence.
My pack of ten system has worked well for me, in helping me explain to my clients where their dogs are “coming from.” If you plug your canine into my system it might tell you a lot about your instinctive four-legged friend.
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