Being a member of the pack -- Owned by Wolfdogs

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Date Posted: 17:03:17 10/26/01 Fri
Author: Klondike Wolf
Author Host/IP: 63-164-170-152.mfr739dip.internetcds.com / 63.164.170.152
Subject: Being a member of the pack
In reply to: Teri 's message, "Re: Handling chew-toy aggression..." on 12:09:25 10/30/00 Mon

(remove "NOSPAM." from my e-mail address to e-mail me personally)

I'm sure some will consider my answer here inappropriate and irresponsible, but I have had years of soul-searching over it in my overall self-discovery, in two long-term canine companionships and a number of shorter ones.

I adjust my behavior to become 'one of the pack' as much as I can by mimicking canine behavior myself. I will nuzzle in greet ... as my tongue can't adequately mimic a canine's, I cup a hand and use the back of it to "lick" another canine with the back-tips of my fingernails (which are short due to nervous habit, heh). I've found it particularly effective when done to the muzzle (though I often have to reduce to just a couple fingers). I've found the technique seems to achieve greater satisfaction under normal circumstances than scritching or petting (but when called for, I can give a very effective scritch, too, heh ... I can get dogs to backpedal who almost never backpedal!)

When it comes to aggressive behavior toward myself or a dog I consider a close companion, I'm not above sternly but very, very calmly challenging. I often do this on all fours, looking directly into the dog's eyes. If they submit, I will 'nuzzle' them and/or use other affectionate behavior (scritches and pets) to assure them I am in their pack. I've found I rarely have to use anything more severe, even with "problem" canines.

-- Klondike Wolf

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