Creating Good Conditions for Dogs in Group Settings
Help your dog to thrive in dog groups
Navigating group dynamics can be quite a challenge. Whether it's daycare groups, the dog park regulars, or even your friends' and family's dogs, harmony isn't always guaranteed. Despite dogs being inherently social creatures, understanding the concept of a "pack" from their point of view raises intriguing questions. How can we facilitate their integration and foster a sense of confidence within the group?
Dogs and their views on pack life
Dogs as a species often choose to live together as it benefits their survival. The wolf, the ancestor of dogs, is an example of a social animal that places importance on the pack and outsiders. Wild canines and feral dogs (wild dogs descended from domesticated dogs) tend to live in family groups and may have fleeting interactions with outsiders. Domesticated pet dogs are also social animals, seeking a close-knit family or group to share their lives with, a community that benefits them. Studies have shown that dogs perceive humans as family, a unique and beautiful bond rooted in our coevolution.
Dogs: Casual acquaintances vs. close friends
Many well-adjusted dogs with positive experiences with other dogs can handle casual interactions, but the choice should be theirs. Conflicts usually arise if the dog perceives the relationship as competitive or if the environment triggers conflicts. ㅤ If your dog struggles in a dog park, it might not be your fault or your dog's. You might simply have a dog that prefers a small circle of genuine friends over passing acquaintances. To help with this process, you may want to read up on the social needs of dogs.
Dogs and changing group dynamics
For some dogs, a group with varying members can cause concern if they prefer stable relationships. Constantly reintroducing oneself, finding a place within the group, and learning each individual's boundaries and personal space can be burdensome for some dogs. Others embrace the diversity and enrichment that different types of dogs bring. Just like people, dogs are different. Accept your dog for who she/he is.
The benefits of stable dog groups
A stable dog group, with consistent members interacting over time, can lead to secure relationships and a tight-knit circle of friends. Regular interactions, whether in a dog daycare or organized group walks, allow trust and understanding to develop. Many dogs enjoy this. ㅤ In such a group, a dog can find companions they connect with. Just like us, it's about personal chemistry, shared interests, and understanding. Sometimes similar dogs play the best, other times opposites attract. Once your dog finds a best friend, make sure they meet again and again to strengthen the bond.
Accept your dog's social boundaries
If your dog doesn't enjoy being in a group or doesn't get along with your friends' or family's dogs, sometimes there are things that can improve the situation. If your dog feels uncomfortable around strangers, behavioral therapy might be necessary. Read on to learn how Hovawart Charlie learned to appreciate your friend's Labrador, Buddy. But not all dogs are like Charlie and Buddy. Sometimes you just have to accept the situation and respect your dog's feelings. Just because dogs are social animals doesn't mean they automatically get along with other dogs. It's more complicated than that, as relationships can be. Trying to force a friendship or interaction that isn't appreciated isn't considerate, and when dealing with carnivores, pressure can lead to conflict. It benefits neither the vulnerable nor the one who bites. Spare your dog that experience. Not everyone is meant for each other. And that's okay.
Alfons and Sigge: A story of friendship
For a long time, Hovawart Charlie enjoyed his dog parent's attention without having to share it with any other dogs. But then his dog parent's best friend got a dog. To Charlie's dismay, Labrador Buddyentered their lives. Charlie really didn't want Buddy to visit and especially didn't want to go to Buddy's house. Play was out of the question, and Buddy should think twice before trying to take Charlie's toys or lay down on his couch. Things escalated one day on the pier when Buddy tried to squeeze past Charlie on a jetty eager to go for a swim. One could say that Buddy got a bit bumped and fell into the water, while Charlie remained on the jetty. It may not have been intentional, or perhaps it was. Because everything happened too fast for Charlie. He hadn't had the chance to build a relationship with his new "friend," and yet they were suddenly expected to be BFFs. So Buddy got wet. As he wished. But non of the dogs looked content. The conflict was obvious to all.
How Alfons learned to accept Sigge
To resolve the situation before it got out of hand, the leash was loosened. Charlie got a break from Buddy for a while, and then Buddy and dog parent started laying fun scent trails for Charlie to follow. Gradually, the trails led to Buddy's place, where a box of tasty treats awaited. Charlie's mood lightened. Then they began going on hikes together, each dog in their own space, no demand for physical contact. They simply enjoyed a wonderful time together without crowding each other on piers or elsewhere. That was pleasant too. In time, it was time for a dog class. As a newcomer, Charlie (who doesn't really like many dogs in class) stood slightly behind the sociable Buddy in the circle. The other dogs happily greeted Buddy and left Charlie alone, his new friend providing a comfortable buffer from his classmates.
Safe and enjoyable meetings made the difference
Slowly but surely, the two of them actually became friends. Charlie began to see the value in Buddy, and trust developed over time. Not through forced interactions, the opposite was needed. It took a while—relationships can be that way. The crucial aspect was that it happened on the dogs' terms, and their dog parents focused entirely on creating safe and pleasant meetups where Charlie learned to appreciate and benefit from Buddy's presence. ㅤ Since then, they've gone swimming together again, and Buddy isn't pushed around on the pier anymore. Today, Buddy is welcome to stay over, drink water, and relax on the couch. He certainly didn't have that privilege in the beginning. But things started off a bit wrong. It wasn't the dogs fault. For more on the topic of pack life, see the article Pack dynamics: the importance of being needed as 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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