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Is Your Dogs Behavior Linked to His Ancestry?

The wolf is a direct ancestor of the domestic dog and they share many behavioral similarities. If a dog wants to bite someone or another animal he will behave in a similar manner to the wolf, focusing his attention on the prospective victim and bearing his teeth. If the dog is frightened his tail will go between his legs and his ears will go back, just like a wolf. Wolves roam in packs and naturally the stronger and more intelligent member of the pack has an advantage over the rest, being more alert to the behavior of a potential adversary and smart enough to recognize any threat of danger. By baring their fangs or staring fixedly, wolves have developed a system of communication over thousands of years that will either provoke a fight or avert one.

History has always mentioned wolves as hunters and the witty ones always had the advantage over the submissive or dull witted wolves even in the same pack. To keep away from the aggressive wolves which showed fangs or intense stares, the other pack members kept away from fights.

The same type of communication exists in domestic dogs and relates to the natural instinct wolves have for control, dominance or submission. Domination and threatening behavior signs are commonly baring the teeth and staring with upright ears. Conversely a wolf will project submissive behavior signs by avoiding eye contact, crouching down with his tail between is legs or rolling on his back, the latter being the ultimate signal of surrender to a stronger, more intelligent animal.

Nearly all animals, including humans, instinctively rely on visual communication. Large things appear more dangerous and threatening so when a wolf intends to dominate it will attempt to appear larger than it actually is. The wolf will try to stand over its victim and the fur will rise up on its back.

A dog that is frightened will try to diminish its size by crawling on its belly with its tail between its legs. Neither the dog nor the wolf is aware of how small or large he appears but these behavioral signals have been handed down through centuries and exist to the current day.

When a domestic bitch produces puppies, she behaves in much the same way as a mother wolf. She cleans her den including eating the afterbirth, and encourages the pups to defecate or urinate by licking their bellies and then cleans up the waste. As the pups mature she will implement her own system of discipline by growling, shaking or cuffing. During the fifth to eighth week puppies begin the instinctive practice of dominance and submission within the litter.

It is important for you to remember that you are the pack leader and your family is the pack, so make sure your dog knows who the most dominant member is from day one. There are many interesting articles and books available regarding wolf pack behavior so if you read up on the subject, you will be surprised how many similarities you will find between your dog and his wolf ancestors.

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Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.

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