Canine Myth: Dogs are Pack Animals

Watch any National Geographic video that shows human beings living in a stone-age or primitive setting and you will see dogs living among them. Take a very careful look at what you are seeing - dogs in the village do not mingle with one another, but stay segregated from their brethren. Why? The answer is simple: Dogs are scavengers and most of them are watching for a free-handout or unguarded morsel to come within their reach.

It would not be in their best interest or feasible for these village dogs to form packs because their food source is limited. Dogs are inept hunters; therefore they seek out rodents, insects, berries and grasses for sustenance and leave larger prey; such as deer, bison or caribou to their more skilled hunter cousins the wolf. Forming a pack would also present a potential danger to children, livestock and those humans within the village who might be unable to protect themselves if attacked by a groups of dogs, e.,g., elderly, physically or mentally challenged.

It was a terrible disservice to the domesticated dog, when in the early 1940's, behavioral scientists used captive wolves as a general model for dog behavior. It gave rise to terms we are all too familiar with: Alpha Dog, Pack Leader, Submission & Dominance. Imagine comparing a Neanderthal's social proclivities with those of a modern banker or politician? O.K. Bad example, but I hope you get the gist.


Dogs bonded with humans more than 800 centuries ago because they shared with us several survival/social commonalities: food source, techniques for hearing, teaching and protecting their young and forming relationships based on assimilation rather than an organized pack. Assimilation means that leadership roles fluctuate within the family unit. Even wolves technically do not form packs, because their organizational structure is typically a family unit. So called Alpha Dogs have been seen being physically challenged by their mates and pounced-on by infants and teenagers within the group.


Humans are primates. Dogs are canines.  The next statement puts things into a profound and unique perspective. Dogs are encouraged and then molded to follow primate patterns of socialization if they expect to remain in their adopted family home. Imagine if the tables were reversed? Could we be as savvy, intuitive and malleable as our dogs?


Next Blog: The Many Ways Puppy Classes, Dog Parks and Doggie Day Care Centers can compromise the Human-Canine Bond.

Child/Dog Safety Tip

Parents should periodically test their dog’s ability to withstand being inappropriately handled. Pull gently but firmly on the dog’s ears, check its mouth with probing fingers, take away a treat or toy and grab a lock of fur from the dog’s neck, back or hindquarters. Do not physically hurt the dog during the exercise but make each step moderately uncomfortable because a child might not be so judicious or gentle. The objective of the exercise is to ascertain whether or not the dog can tolerate being handled roughly. If the dog shows concern, growls or attempts to snap during such an encounter then consider this a warning. Contact a canine behaviorist or trainer immediately and then determine a course of action to get your dog acclimated to being handled, especially by children. 

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