Great Dane "Attack"

[Xia33]

Just for the record, I did not write:

Xia33 wrote:
Actually, that is no longer the accepted theory for dogs' social structures. Even with wolves (which aren't as pertinent to dogs as once thought) wildlife biologists no longer use the term "alpha". The term used is breeding pair. According to Dr. Mech who introduced the alpha theory way back when. With respect to dogs, dominance only means "priority access to resources", it is not a status within a group.

[Jo]

^^^^^^^^^ In future, just report the post if someone has misquoted you. I have removed the quote in question.

[Bunnyhop]

FSmith59, I would be interested in reading more of what you are presenting. Could you provide links to research papers, etc to support what you've written? I think animal behaviour in general is a very interesting topic and am always open to new ideas.

This is what Dr Mech has said about the term "alpha". He is indisputably THE expert on all things wolf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU


Also, some good reading here that is somewhat relevant to the original topic:

http://www.animalsandsociety.com/assets/library/205_s15327604jaws07047.pdf

And, an article written by Dr Mech for Paws4U: http://www.4pawsu.com/alphawolf.pdf

Patricia McConnell, PhD, has written a great article on dominance: http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/the-concept-formerly-described-as-dominance

[FSmith59]

^^^^^^^^^ In future, just report the post if someone has misquoted you. I have removed the quote in question.

Oh...sorry if I misquoted. Was not intentional. Must have screwed up the part I meant to quote.

[FSmith59]

FSmith59, I would be interested in reading more of what you are presenting. Could you provide links to research papers, etc to support what you've written? I think animal behaviour in general is a very interesting topic and am always open to new ideas.

This is what Dr Mech has said about the term "alpha". He is indisputably THE expert on all things wolf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU


Also, some good reading here that is somewhat relevant to the original topic:

http://www.animalsandsociety.com/assets/library/205_s15327604jaws07047.pdf

And, an article written by Dr Mech for Paws4U: http://www.4pawsu.com/alphawolf.pdf

Patricia McConnell, PhD, has written a great article on dominance: http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/the-concept-formerly-described-as-dominance

This is what Dr Mech has said about the term "alpha".

He is indisputably THE expert on all things wolf. uhh, no, he isn't.

Dr. Mech is a wolf expert, but not necessarily on all things "wolf". His research, while impressive, tends to lean to the human side and to the management of wolf populations. His years of study are mainly directed to the behaviour of wolves and their effects on their environment, not how they behave within their pack. He was, afterall, just a government lacky.

I suggest you look into other "experts" such as Shaun Ellis or Carter Niemeyer. These men have actually lived among wolf packs, and to me, their opinions are much more legitimate than an outside observer, such as Mech.

As for paws4u...i liken that site to TMZ or the Enquirer. They seem to be intent on putting out stories that are the complete opposite of how things are. They claim to be the new way of looking at animal behaviour. They try to support it with unsubstantiated claims by their so called experts.

Animal behaviour does not change overnight.

Yes, there may be new human behaviours that are trying to understand it, but those ideas have yet to be proven.

[western_star]

I think dogs are like humans... they want to know where they fit into the group. All dogs are different just like humans. Some humans get into fights, others are submissive, others are leaders, others are fearful, etc. Just like you don't always get along with a friend or family, a dog may get into a fight with a dog its played with before.

I also agree with the theory that RDCO may be the cause of this Great Dane owner to take off. Its not like RDCO's track record hasn't been in the lime light.

[kurtan]

Rdco hahahaha. My brothers minpin was attacked at the rutland dogpark by a boxer. The owner took off, rdco did nothing, not even an investigation into the matter, my brother was stuck with 1500$ vet bill and his minpin with a 4 inch gash on his back..10 stitches, and a ear infection.

[gman313]

Minpins are annoying yippers I bet the stupid thing was tweaking out around the boxer.

[ifwisheswerehorses]

Did your brother write up an official letter of complaint?
Or did he give up after one phone call?