Viewing Single Post From: Dominant or protective?

Viewing Single Post From: Dominant or protective?
Laura	Apr 9 2009, 04:41 PM
One of the regulars Posts: 192 Group: Full Members Member #730 Joined: October 14, 2008	For whatever reason, Sally doesn't like other dogs. Nervous and submissive as a puppy, changed into showing teeth and giving warning barks as she got older. Her behaviour and character are perfect in every other way so we just accept that she doesn't like other dogs and she isn't asked to say hello to them! Before I accepted this, I spent a year and a half speaking to behaviourists, paying to see two proffessionals (both complete disasters), searching the internet, buying books, etc etc. trying to find some kind of 'cure' for Sal's aggression (I even started a behaviourists course myself!!) whilst trying to gently introduce her to nice dogs and meet up with dogs she did accept as much as possible. Nearly all the information I found told me that dog to dog agression was because of dominance. Sally was trying to be 'leader' of her pack, and the 'solutions' I was found were to change the way we do everything to let her know who was boss (not allowed to sleep on the bed, ignore requests for affection, make her sit before food...you know the drill) I didn't really try any of that seriously as it didn't fit in with our lifestyle and I thought it would ruin, or at least change, the amazing bond Sally and I have. I have never had any issues with any of her other behaviour so to change the whole lifestyle seemed drastic. Anyway, long story short, I got so stressed about her 'problem' and the fact that I couldn't fix it I just decided to stop it and learn to live with her as she was (best decision ever!) and at some point along the line I thought what if it's just her protecting me against something she thinks is scary? Does it still relate to dominance? She is so obedient and I wouldn't call any of her behaviour 'dominant' (demanding, yes, but she's a terrier!) even when she has a go at other dogs her head is down and tail between her legs, not really a dominant pose! I'm not an expert, but I would have thought a pack animal would make some effort to protect it's leader? Why is it that for all my research into aggression I never found anything about dogs being protective unless it went along with dominance? Is it possible Sally is just trying to keep the scary dogs away from herself and her 'mum'? Or have I just completely missed the point of everything that has ever been said on the subject? What do you reckon? Sorry, it went on longer than I thought! but I am very curious to find out what you all think, thanks! Laura, Sally & Meg


Dominant or protective? · Training & Behaviour