Subordinance and dominance                                                  Hamilton photo

Page from the Behaviour Notebook
by Geneviève Montcombroux

Food is put down in bowls, the dogs switch around. When they have finished, they lick each other's mouths, then the females lick the boss' penis. He stands still, a picture of contentment. Next they rub flanks and do another round of mouth licking. Often they take a slow run around the pen, flanks to flanks, finishing in the male rubbing his chin over the back - usually just behind the shoulders - of the nearest female.

Pups/young dogs rub their mouths against the boss's, and follow with the neck and their whole body against the boss's chest, who stands patiently. Then he rubs his mouth lightly against the young ones' mouths, down his neck and rubs his chin over the back - usually just behind the shoulders - of the young ones.

Boss (and any male below if he is alone, therefore the boss) lunges at a female so she rolls down squealing, he stands over her, growling with biting-like motions - but he doesn't actually  bite. All the while she squeals blue murder. Then he walks away and she yaps behind him in a very outraged tone. Oh yes, they do have different tones. If he walks away immediately after throwing her down and does not go through the ritual of growling and biting, she runs towards him, slithering on the ground right into his legs, and squealing appropriately. He usually ignores such a display.

Females who have an older pup with them, bond strongly with him/her and will defend him/her against the boss or another dog, by standing next to him/her and yapping with outrage when being submitted by the boss. Then she licks him/her, since he/she has urinated over him/herself.

And all the dogs scent themselves on the trail by rolling in some mysterious substances. Sometimes it's bear scats, or wolf droppings, most times there is nothing to see - or to smell for us humans.