Dogs are Pack Animals – What Does That Mean?

In your dog’s eyes, your household and the members who live together on a regular basis is their pack. New members may be carefully and respectfully introduced to an existing pack. Think of this like bringing home a new puppy or introducing your new baby, they will be permanent members of the pack.

Dogs do not normally seek out other packs or loners for the pure act of socializing. We have to understand this behavior when choosing the environments we allow our dogs to interact in. Are we introducing our dog to what we expect to be its new ‘pack’? Or are we expecting it to play with other dogs because we, as humans, are a social animal and expect our dog to be as well?

Dog parks and mixed ‘playtimes’ are an example of something called anthropomorphism. This is when we place human emotions, characteristics and expectations upon our animals. We expect them to think and behave as we do.

Through training and setting proper expectations, your dogs should find the greatest reward when they are with you, their human!

Tell us, what do you do with and for your dog to create a positive and rewarding ‘pack’ environment?