How does a dogs social structure work as a pet within a standard human family?

February 26th, 2010 | by admin |

I was lead to believe that most dogs view the humans their most commonly around in much the same way as they’d view other dogs they’d be around in the wild, kind of like a pack. What position within that pack does the family dog give view itself? Does it consider itself to be a member of the pack (family), or does the dog view the family as being members of the dogs pack, and thus the dog views itself as the leader?

That is an excellent question. Dogs view things differently then we do and there is much speculation about the question you just asked as to how a dog finds his place in a pack, albeit an artificial one since we, humans are not dogs.
In a dog’s world things are black and white simplicity wise. Everything a dog does stems from pack drive, the fundamental force behind a dog’s existence. In the so called civilized society of ours, we have brought the dog in our home, but, to that dog, we are still his pack and he still wants to belong and find his rightful place within it.
That is where things get confusing. Most people have no idea what pack drive is, most people refuse to view a dog for what he really is, a dog, and confuse it and themselves by trying to alter the dog’s point of view to fit their fantasies.
Weak tempered dogs will try to appease their human pack members and fit in anywhere they can within the social structure of a pack. Appeasing can include, but is not limited to behaviors such as "kissing", "licking", etc, behaviors that humans view for other then what they really are.
Strong temperament dogs will often take advantage of a human who does not understand and try to position themselves at the head of the pack by displaying behaviors that most people also do not understand and further confuse and incite the dog to push further and further until he becomes a problem.
Since dogs do not posses language skills, they must be taught by behaviors what is acceptable and what is not by their owners. The dogs that receive that instruction and provided that they come from a solid genetic backround are the happiest and healthiest ones in our world.
In conclusion, dogs that are genetically correct and are raised by someone who understands dog behavior will find themselves within a certain position, assigned to them by their owner and live a happy, structured life belonging to a human pack in safety and comfort.
Hope I helped!!

  1. 7 Responses to “How does a dogs social structure work as a pet within a standard human family?”

  2. By Justin W on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    it all depends. The dog will try to become the pack leader if it beleives no one else is. you must become the alpha if you want your dog to listen to you.
    References :

  3. By curlysimmer on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    Justin W is correct but I’d like to elucidate.
    Taking a dog to an obedience class puts you through the steps to become the Alpha painlessley.
    You must be the Alpha or you will have other behavior problems later on and have even more less pleasant training sessions.
    Dogs don’t want to be Alpha but are driven to fill that spot if others in the pack won’t take it.
    The reason dogs get on with children so well is because they view them as puppies and not in contention for a spot in the social structure.
    References :
    Opinion based on Experience

  4. By tomclocks on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    The position the dog views itself to hold in the pack depends on how it is treated and trained. One of the most important elements is that the dog does not receive its meal until after the owner/family have eaten their meal. Another is that the dog should be trained to follow other members of its pack (family) through doors and openings – not to precede them. Yet another is not to initiate greeting when returning to the house. Always wait for the dog to greet and welcome you and other human pack members. There are other points to observe and I recommend books by acknowledged expert dog trainers and behaviorists to learn them. One important point is that a dog who realises that he/she is not the pack leader will be much more content and happy with life.
    References :

  5. By greekman on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    That is an excellent question. Dogs view things differently then we do and there is much speculation about the question you just asked as to how a dog finds his place in a pack, albeit an artificial one since we, humans are not dogs.
    In a dog’s world things are black and white simplicity wise. Everything a dog does stems from pack drive, the fundamental force behind a dog’s existence. In the so called civilized society of ours, we have brought the dog in our home, but, to that dog, we are still his pack and he still wants to belong and find his rightful place within it.
    That is where things get confusing. Most people have no idea what pack drive is, most people refuse to view a dog for what he really is, a dog, and confuse it and themselves by trying to alter the dog’s point of view to fit their fantasies.
    Weak tempered dogs will try to appease their human pack members and fit in anywhere they can within the social structure of a pack. Appeasing can include, but is not limited to behaviors such as "kissing", "licking", etc, behaviors that humans view for other then what they really are.
    Strong temperament dogs will often take advantage of a human who does not understand and try to position themselves at the head of the pack by displaying behaviors that most people also do not understand and further confuse and incite the dog to push further and further until he becomes a problem.
    Since dogs do not posses language skills, they must be taught by behaviors what is acceptable and what is not by their owners. The dogs that receive that instruction and provided that they come from a solid genetic backround are the happiest and healthiest ones in our world.
    In conclusion, dogs that are genetically correct and are raised by someone who understands dog behavior will find themselves within a certain position, assigned to them by their owner and live a happy, structured life belonging to a human pack in safety and comfort.
    Hope I helped!!
    References :

  6. By janisjunkie on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    The pack hierarchy should be this:

    Alpha
    Beta
    Nurturer
    Omega

    Your dog should be the "Nurturer"…that’s the dog that cares for/protects the offspring and is trusted with them (children). The "Nurturer" position is a nice, even-keeled spot in the pack, and that’s where your dog should be. Kinda like the "Wal-mart greeter" position. Whoever works with/feeds the dog is the Alpha, the spouse and children in the household are the Betas. Greekman above has hit the nail right on the head!

    As my dog trainer (Sam Malatesta) says, "your dog will look at you when you are worth looking at." You have to understand your dog’s behavior and thinking so you can gain his respect.
    References :
    http://www.whosthedog.net/

  7. By IndyDogMom on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    Your dogs view all depends on you. The human should always be viewed as the alpha of the pack….otherwise the dog will run the house.

    You need to be consistent and firm with your dog when it is young. The easiest way is when feeding the dog. As a puppy, make sure they know that it is your food and you are giving it to them. I would make the dog sit before feeding them, and I made sure that I touched the bowl and dog food so that it had my smell.

    Also, when the dog is eating, you should be able to touch the bowl and even take the food away from the dog with no problem. If you can’t, you are not the leader and the dog will try and bite you.

    My dogs are trained to know that if I say "no…mom’s", they stop, move, whatever and know that it’s mine and they better stop.
    References :

  8. By pandabananas4 on Feb 27, 2010 | Reply

    hotdog
    References :

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