Dogs in a Pack & Role Distribution
Dogs are social animals, driven by their pack instincts. This goes beyond a simple desire for companionship—it involves a complex interplay of roles and responsibilities within the pack. But how does this dynamic work, and how can we translate it into our everyday lives? Let's delve into the captivating world of pack life and explore the significance of roles and contributions in our relationship with dogs.
Pack life: the wild versus the living room
Let's venture into the wilderness and explore the essence of our dogs. Imagine a pack of wild dogs—a magnificent group comprising seven individuals and a litter of puppies. They live in a territory they have chosen, a place they protect and cherish because it provides them with essentials: flowing streams, places to scout from, a cozy den, wild game, comfortable resting spots, and a sense of security. In the surrounding forests, other dog packs and wild animals coexist.
The pack we describe could be wolves, foxes, or feral dogs roaming the streets. Their daily activities, emotions, and motivations mirror those of our pet dogs. However, our pet dogs live under different circumstances. They share their lives with us, residing in our homes where the immediate surroundings become their territory. Although they don't have the autonomy to choose, their instincts persist.
Our dogs will always possess the inherent nature of territorial, hunting and pack animals, with varying degrees. Throughout the years, selective breeding has shaped dog breeds specialized for diverse tasks, many rooted in the original roles held by dogs within a pack.
How roles work in wild flocks
In their natural state, a dog's responsibilities are not determined by breed group but by individual capabilities and superpowers. Maximizing each individual's abilities optimizes the pack's chances of survival.
These tasks, and consequently the roles, may involve:
- Caring for the puppies
- Scouting and observing
- Patrolling the territory and marking its boundaries
- Guarding and repelling intruders
- Tracking and pursuing prey
- Capturing and bringing it down
- Locating resources and necessities
- Teaching the younger members social interaction
- Tending to the elderly and sick
Dogs' need to contribute in the home
Even in the wild, there is a natural distribution of roles that benefits everyone's well-being and ensures the pack's survival. Our pet dogs, although living within a human pack, also desire a defined role and responsibility. Not fulfilling a purpose can mean that you become a burden, according to pack animals. Being able to contribute and be valued by the pack provides them with a sense of self-worth and security.
How to adapt the chore to the dog's ability
So, how can we apply this to a multi-species pack comprising humans and dogs? It's actually quite simple. Most likely, you have a specific breed or mixed breed dog suited for a particular task.
If your dog has a natural inclination for scouting, alerting, guarding, hunting, tracking, or retrieving, embrace their innate drives and provide them with activities that allow these traits to be utilized.
Discover and use your dog's unique qualities
You've probably noticed that your dog, regardless of breed, possesses unique qualities that make them well-suited for various tasks.
- Some dogs naturally display nurturing behaviors, showing remarkable empathy and rushing to aid those in need.
- Others possess exceptional attentiveness, enjoying the role of overseeing things, maintaining fairness, caring for the smaller members, and excelling in conflict resolution.
- Certain dogs have a serious demeanor, finding fulfillment in guarding, observing, and alerting. Others have a strong inclination to carry objects home during walks, seeking items to bring back to the pack and family.
Your dog's individuality speaks to her/his intrinsic calling and innate abilities within a pack. Embrace and utilize those qualities.
Understanding your role in the pack
Consider your role within the pack from your dog's perspective. What natural role do you fulfill? You provide care, nourishment, and initiate walks that, from your dog's point of view, become reconnaissance missions and patrols around the territory. Expand on that role.
Initiative activities to engage your dog
Why not establish a clear routine for patrolling by taking morning and evening walks around your home? Scan together for comings and goings. Take longer walks during the day, explore new environments, go on adventures, and create a sense of exploration. Bring home items you find, and encourage your dog to carry them or assist in carrying them.
How you and your dog become a guard force
Do you praise your dog when they alert you to someone approaching? Excellent! Build on that and take the lead yourself, positioning yourself at the forefront. Show your dog that you are actively engaged in guarding. You can also sit on the front steps beside your dog, keeping watch in the evenings—an important task within a dog pack.
Shared interest in hunting can unite
Dogs are natural predators and hunters. Do you share an interest in hunting? While companion dogs are not meant for hunting, they may still possess strong instincts, regardless of their breed.
Try activities such as tracking, scent work, and provide your dog with outlets for their inherent drives and behavioral needs. Sneak through the woods, locate treasures you've hidden, track down dinner or a person. Let your dog shine and express their natural behaviors. Check out the trainings Scent tracking and Search and Rescue.
Household activities where your dog can help
Some dogs find fulfillment in performing tasks such as opening and closing kitchen cabinets, fetching keys, bringing in the mail, retrieving a dropped item, fetching slippers, removing laundry from the machine, or pressing the pedestrian crossing button.
If you're faced with a task that you have trained your dog to perform, and they are the ones assisting, it's an excellent way to make your dog an integral part of family life. Your dog feels needed for the smooth functioning of everyday life. Show that you value your dog's contributions, express heartfelt gratitude, and ensure that the tasks are frequently required, preferably daily.
In a pack, everyone needs to contribute; otherwise, they become redundant and burdensome. All contributors are valuable. So, make your dog feel significant and important!
Understanding your dog's need to contribute
Some dogs exhibit behaviors that resemble pride when they carry groceries in a backpack or pull items home in a cart. These dogs may find it inconceivable to return empty-pawed and often enjoy collecting sticks or objects.
Understanding that this behavior is your dog's way of demonstrating the desire to contribute to the pack's survival is crucial to your relationship. Your approach can provide your dog with a more meaningful life.
Although our beloved pet dogs do not live in the same circumstances as their ancestors or wild counterparts, they are still dogs. They possess inherent instincts and a need to help, contribute, fulfill a purpose, and have a role.
Responsibility for the dog's natural drives:
If you have bought a dog with drives you don't intend to use, such as a hunting or herding dog, remember that it was not the dog's choice to be unemployed. It is your responsibility to compensate for the dog's lack of drive, which can be extremely frustrating for a dog.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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