Re: Dobermans
Reply #28 –
Did you read the article I linked, DJC? You would have noted that social dominance was covered:
Yes, but it's popular internet literature rather than an empirical study.
Purcell's book deals with communal living wild canid social organisation from several viewpoints; biology, communication, learning, territory, territory inheritance, dispersal, social systems, inter and intra pack interactions, etc.
Laurie Corbett's 'The Dingo in Australia and Asia' is another work with a detailed analysis of wild canid behaviour and social organisation. While it dates back to 1995, the behavioural observations are still valid and agree with those of Purcell.
Social organisation, characterised by dominant and subordinate behaviour, is a key to minimising conflict, facilitating successful communal hunting and communal care of pups, as well as the formation and maintenance of territories. Failing to appreciate the importance of ensuring that your dog understands its place its social group is asking for trouble.
Even though it was published over 60 years ago, Konrad Lorenz's 'Man Meets Dog' provides a fascinating series of observations of domestic dog (and wolf) behaviour that can still help dog owners understand why their pets behave the way they do.