Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny Olley
Nina, i was interested in your comments about not returning to the same breeder, is this because you believe that 2 dogs who have close genetic links are more likely to fight ? My advice is usually if you have had one good dog from a breeder, sound health, sound temperament, well socialised and habituated whilst with the litter, get another one from the same breeder.
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Jenny, I have worked with dogs and wolves for the past 30 years, and can only base my advice on experience, and case histories.
In my work as a pet sitter, and with trainers and behaviourists, it was found that two dogs from the same litter are very closely matched. For example one could be particularly dominant and endeavour to challenge the omega brother, who must constantly fight to defend himself.
There are other cases where fights will occur as a result of us treating our dogs the same and thus unwittingly raise the status of the underdog. This can make the dominant of the two see his brother as a constant threat and and continually feel the need to put him in his place! Castration of one of the pair can help, but you must remember that it does not always work.
I posted a thread a while back citing wolf behaviour and the way they establish hierarchy. This was disputed by another forum contributor, which was his right, but in my 30 year of studying the wolf I have read nothing to suggest this was not the case, so I stand by that statement.
I can quote from Jan Fennel and her experiences, since like me, Jan returned to the species from where each dog came in order to understand their language. We need however, to remember that nothing is set in concrete, and there will always be contridictions.