In previous posts, I’ve discussed why the dominance model—the belief that dogs are pack animals in need of a “pack leader”—is not only flawed but also harmful to our canine companions. Today, I want to focus on an important aspect of dog behavior: the daily negotiations between them.
Firstly, let me clarify that social dominance does exist in animals with complex social structures, but even scientists can’t fully agree on what “dominance” looks like. For the purposes of this post, I’ll define social dominance as the competition for access to resources within a group. While this definition might not cover all its aspects, it’s a useful starting point.
Now, you may wonder what this looks like in practice. Let me share some everyday examples from my own dogs, Deuce and Rio, to illustrate how they negotiate access to resources.
Understanding Resources
A resource can be anything a dog finds valuable—like a bed, toy, or treat. These resources can remain valuable throughout the dog’s life or fluctuate in importance based on the situation. For example, if a dog has just enjoyed a resource, its immediate value might decrease.
Examples from Deuce and Rio’s Daily Lives
Let’s start with their beds, which are spread across different rooms in the house:
- The perch by the window: This is Rio’s spot. Deuce never uses it.
- Kitchen beds: First-come, first-serve, used before meals.
- Bedroom beds: Deuce prefers the larger bed but always lets Rio have it if she gets there first. What a gentleman!
Food Dispensing Toys
For Deuce, food-dispensing toys are highly valued. He even uses a high-pitched whine and his “Border Collie stare” to manage Rio’s access to these toys. As a result, we give them their toys in separate rooms to avoid conflict.
Balls
- Tennis balls: Deuce loves them but is happy to share. Rio, however, delights in stealing Deuce’s ball daily.
- Big Orange Ball: This is a cooperative game. They take turns based on their abilities—Deuce retrieves it when Rio can’t carry it.
- Big Red Ball: This one is exclusively Rio’s. She enjoys tugging games with it, and Deuce has never shown interest in this particular ball.
Edible Chews
Every night, both dogs get a high-value chew. Curiously, Rio won’t take hers until Deuce receives his first. There’s no conflict or competition; they enjoy their treats in peace in separate areas.
These interactions offer a glimpse into the intricate negotiations between dogs. Even as someone who closely observes dog behavior, I sometimes miss the subtle ways Deuce and Rio communicate and resolve their differences over resources.
While some dogs may resort to bullying to claim what they want, the norm is often peaceful negotiation rather than force. In these moments, we can learn a lot from our dogs—especially about compromise and communication.
And this is just the beginning of understanding the complex social structures and daily dynamics of dogs.