[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

I'll admit I don't work with dog packs, and that may be more similar to what is commonly thought about wolf packs, since it is often a similar situation -- unrelated members forced to live together and compete for limited resources (kind of a grim description of a home, but you know what I mean). However, I generally believe that dogs do not think we are dogs, and I really do not think they compete with us for rank status.

I have also read (and believe) that rank is fluid in many situations, and a dog/wolf that is dominant in one situation will not be in another. I ALSO don't believe that dogs feel compelled to immediately establish rank with every other dog they meet. I've read that dogs don't care about THEIR OWN rank, they just want to know everyone's place. I don't believe that either, that makes no sense in terms of species. If the top dog gets the best food, of course you care.

Finally, I don't believe resource guarding is and of itself a dominant behavior. Otherwise very submissive dogs will engage in this behavior. (By the way, I also make Thor sit & stay before he eats, and really work on NILF).

See post #315 in the Wolfman, the wolves did compete with him for status, and he had to prove himself.