Honoring pack order

Pack order, we are learning, is an interesting concept in how it plays out in canine – as well as – human relationships. Guest blogger, Bing, tugs at my toes as I write because she wants to weigh in on the issue.

By Bing Fender

A new person with a pouch of treats arrived on our porch last Friday and things have not been the same around here since her arrival. Mom introduced this new person with the nice-smelling pouch as the person who would help Clover learn to serve as a therapy dog. She seemed nice enough, and gave treats freely, so I will say she was OK, but she surely stirred the pot for Clover and me.

Early on in our visit, the treat lady noticed that Clover acts as pack leader in our duo society. Geez, how long does it take a human to figure out that little fact? Clover walks through doorways ahead of me, I base my behavior solely on cues from Clover, how much brains does it take to figure out who calls the shots in our pack of two? When Clover first came to live in our family, we had to figure out order quickly. We were both older puppies, and I was a very timid dog. Fortunately, Clover taught me that I do not need to be so shy and she gives me courage like a lamp lights a room. When Clover jumped on strangers, I used to shy away and cower. My sister dog taught me that it is great fun to jump all over guests and causes quite the stir among folks.

Now, however, with the introduction of the treat lady, Clover is learning that jumping on anyone is a very bad idea. She has learned a stern command for jumping and gets a forward lunge rather than hands pushing her down. Well, I take my cues from Clover, so now that she can’t jump on people, I don’t jump either. It’s just not as much fun without Clover leading the way.

Pack order is very important in dog world, the treat lady explained to Mom. Thank you, we dogs know it, and it is about time for the family to figure it out. She told Mom that for her to honor the pack order helps the dogs in their relationships with one another. So, where she took turns in whose food bowl she laid down first, she now gives Clover food first, then me. When she gets home, she greets Clover, then me, and hands out treats in the same manner.

Mom and Dad talked about how this just goes against their nature. When Elise and Nick were growing up, there was no pack order. They tried to keep everything even and fair. When one got to sit shotgun, the other sat in the front on the return trip. (Kids could do that in those days – Mom does not even allow us to sit shotgun now for fear of airbag deployment). Mom and Dad tried to keep things “fair and equal” with their kids. Now that they are parents to canine kids, they need to readjust and figure out the pack order system.

I know I am a Schnoodle and not a people, but from what I see, there are pack orders in people. Not that one person is better than others – Clover and I are both just about as special as special gets, but each of us has certain strengths that emerge and we respect those strengths. For instance, I am the playful one of our duo pack. I lead the charge in games and seem to have a better understanding of the rules. I am the hunter, and alert Clover when a chipmunk or deer phases into our radar. Clover really is the natural leader. She helps me figure out the people in our family, and dutifully reminds me of the house rules when I am about to get into trouble.

People have natural talents, I am sure, that emerge in certain situations. Some people handle money matters better, while others hold skills in organization and planning. Some people handle relationships and social situations well, which allows comfort for those who feel insecure in a crowd.

So, as I see it, when people respect our pack order and the need for roles within the dog pack, maybe they can recognize and respect characteristics and traits in their own kind and honor what is special among the individuals in the people breeds.

I would love to write more, but Clover is barking at the window, and I need to join in the ruckus. Gotta go!