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Multi-dog household study

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.
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Both of my dogs show both high and low rivalry traits. It really depends on the situation. If I had to place them on a scale I would say Jiggers is more high rivalry that Kryten in general but in some situations (dog food related) Kryten would rank higher than Jiggers.
How much of that is native behavior and how much is what they have been taught is acceptable is another question however.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
I would say same as smokeycat it is situation dependent.

Kahlua always waits for Diesel to start eating before she will touch her food even if I release her first and give her permission to start first. But, there are certain toys that Kahlua will not share with Diesel unless I step in and force the issue. Diesel acts more independent while Kahlua always wants to be by my side and follows me to whatever room I am in. If Kahlua has something Diesel wants he won't challenge her for it but will instead bark at both of us until she either gets annoyed and lets him have whatever it is or until I intervene (usually taking it away from both of them). If there is a "good" place to lay Kahlua will take it whether or not it is already occupied by Diesel and he always ends up giving in and moving rather than end up being laid on. Kahlua does tend to follow Diesel's lead when any situation is in question (like meeting strangers).
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Kahlua and Diesel sound like they have the perfect Big Brother / Little Sister arrangement. :)
Little Sister gets all the good stuff, but Big Brother is always there to show the way and offer protection.
 

CeeCee

Well-Known Member
Hmmm, very interesting...

Because there is an interesting relationship between Lila and Pru (Pru is regularly pushing on Lila and Lila is always telling her to knock it off), I was interested to see what I got. Here are the results:

Zeek (7 year old male) and Pru (2 year old female) both followed Lila's (10 year old female) path to the plate.
Lila followed Zeek's path.
Pru did not follow Zeek's path.
Zeek and Lila initially looked like they were going to follow Pru's path and then veered off and went to the plate with food instead.

I would say this is very reflective of the relationship that Zeek and Lila have. I was happy that that Pru followed Lila, but was surprised that she did not follow Zeek. I was surprised because Zeek appears to have laid down the law with Pru and she does not cross that line. Apparently she respects his rules, but does not follow him. Ha Ha Ha
 

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
Thanks for sharing, CeeCee!

My gut reactions to your study results:

* Makes sense that the younger ones followed the matriarch's path. Much respect, there!

* And Pru may respect Zeeks rules (when she has to)... but that doesn't mean she's not an independent thinker! :)

* That no one followed Pru's path... hmmm... interesting, maybe she's still considered the "new kid". LOL.

Love it!