Avoiding Fights In the Multi Dog Household
By Michael Russell

Dogs are basically pack oriented animals. They need a pack leader and a place within the social hierarchy of the pack in order to live together peaceably. When an owner unwittingly disturbs the natural order of the hierarchy, fighting can occur.

Firstly it is important that the owner thoroughly acquaint himself with the body language of dogs and this will help him to understand the signals which denote dominance on the part of an animal. He must first recognize the signals that a dominant dog will give. A dominant dog will select the most favored spot to sleep. A dominant dog will push his way out of the door first. A dominant dog will urinate on the spots where other dogs have eliminated and will "mark" his territory often. A dominant dog (male or female, neutered or un-neutered) will often also "hump" other dogs.

Secondly the owner also needs to understand the body language of submissiveness. A submissive dog will roll belly up in front of the more dominant dog. He will lick the chin of the dominant dog. He submits to being pushed out of the way. In the case of group feeding (which should never be the norm in the average household) he will not be allowed to feed till the more dominant dog has fed.