DennasMom
Well-Known Member
Interesting "study" on how dogs make decisions in multiple dog households...
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/09/03/low-and-high-rivalry-dogs.aspx
The concept of "high-rivalry" versus "low-rivalry" relationships is new to me. Maybe this is the new lingo to use instead of "dominant" and "submissive"... seems less defined, anyway... more grey area, which seems to fit real life better.
One commenter also mentioned how Western Civilization seems to put a lot of value on being Competitive. I had not thought that through before either, but, yeah... "competitiveness" (which would be related at some level to aggression) is often portrayed as a positive trait in our society (especially here in the the US).
If the humans in a household value competitiveness, I can only assume they pick dogs that are high-rivalry to begin with.
Thinking of my mastiff family here... wondering how you all would label your dogs (for those with multiple dog households) - do your dogs show high-rivalry traits?
I'm thinking Denna would be on the low-rivalry end, but she's never had to live long-term with another dog. And... she did just snap at a strange dog while at THEIR house... playing with THEIR toys (lots of noise, no physical harm done). So... she might be getting crotchety in her old age - or I'm failing on maintaining her social skills... which is a very good possibility.
https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2018/09/03/low-and-high-rivalry-dogs.aspx
The concept of "high-rivalry" versus "low-rivalry" relationships is new to me. Maybe this is the new lingo to use instead of "dominant" and "submissive"... seems less defined, anyway... more grey area, which seems to fit real life better.
One commenter also mentioned how Western Civilization seems to put a lot of value on being Competitive. I had not thought that through before either, but, yeah... "competitiveness" (which would be related at some level to aggression) is often portrayed as a positive trait in our society (especially here in the the US).
If the humans in a household value competitiveness, I can only assume they pick dogs that are high-rivalry to begin with.
Thinking of my mastiff family here... wondering how you all would label your dogs (for those with multiple dog households) - do your dogs show high-rivalry traits?
I'm thinking Denna would be on the low-rivalry end, but she's never had to live long-term with another dog. And... she did just snap at a strange dog while at THEIR house... playing with THEIR toys (lots of noise, no physical harm done). So... she might be getting crotchety in her old age - or I'm failing on maintaining her social skills... which is a very good possibility.