Читать книгу B.E.S. Dog Training Bible - Andrea Arden - Страница 20

Dominance and submission are two terms that are widely misunderstood, oversimplified, and overused. For example, a host of canine behavior problems are misdiagnosed as attempts to exert dominance. In fact, individual dogs often display both dominant and submissive behavior, shifting from one to the other according to their environment. A dog’s status is regularly influenced by the presence of other animals and people, as well as other environmental factors. For example, an adult dog in a room full of puppies would most likely be dominant over the younger and less experienced dogs and would thereby have greater access to resources. Surrounded by other adult dogs in a park, this dog may behave more submissively in order to get along with the others.

In all areas of life, dogs do what works for them. A dog who mounts his owner might be labeled as “dominant,” but what does that mean? It has become a catchphrase to pigeonhole behaviors rather than examining them. In truth, a dog that mounts his owner might be displaying aggression, playing, or simply seeking attention. Deciphering the motivation for a particular behavior is difficult. Labeling a dog as dominant eliminates the need to analyze the problem. Even worse, the “solution” for a dog labeled as dominant often involves punishment and force, which often intensifies the problem. Depending on your definition, a dominant or confident dog is not necessarily a problem dog. In fact, a less confident dog who is attempting to raise his status can be more troublesome because he will habitually test and challenge boundaries.

Indications of Dominant Behavior

A dog’s posture usually becomes more rigid if he intends to threaten. Typical signs of dominance displays include standing tall, with tail and ears at attention. A dominant dog might also mount another dog or place his head or paws over the other dog’s body. The combination of adrenaline and heightened arousal also causes hackles (hair on the back of neck and back) to be raised.

Raised hackles may be intended to signify a threat. But, physiologically this is an uncontrollable or unconscious reaction that must be interpreted in context. Both neutered and unneutered males and females engage in this behavior with both sexes. Likewise, mounting behavior is context specific. In some cases, it has a reproductive function. But, it also occurs during play and does not necessarily indicate that a dog is trying to reproduce or assert dominance.

Indications of Submissive Behavior

A submissive dog uses his body to express his desire to avoid aggression and intention to do no harm. His ears and tail are lowered, and his gaze is averted. He crouches, turns away, or rolls on his back.