Canine Behavioral Patterns and Training

The behavioral patterns of dogs are often said to resemble those of wolves’ social structures.A wolf pack functions on the basis of a strict hierarchy, and as long as this order is maintained, the group remains stable.However, conflicts sometimes arise over changes in rank, and as a result, positions within the hierarchy may be reversed.

1. Hierarchical Behaviors Observed in Wolf Society

Wolves exhibit distinct behaviors that serve to reaffirm their social hierarchy.For example—

·       A dominant individual forces a subordinate onto its back and stands over it.

·       The dominant lightly grasps the subordinate’s muzzle.

·       The dominant mounts the subordinate from behind.

All of these are acts that confirm dominance or social rank.Likewise, a subordinate individual stares at the dominant one’s eyes, while the dominant avoids eye contact or ignores the gaze—another form of hierarchical acknowledgment.Thus, the maintenance of order within the pack is supported by a variety of ritualized behaviors.

2. “Rank Awareness” in Dogs Living with Humans

Next, let us consider the relationship between Japanese dogs living with humans and their sense of hierarchy.

A puppy separated from its mother and littermates at around 50–60 days of age forms a new “pack” within its relationship with humans.

In most cases, this human side consists of a family unit. What kind of relationship, then, should ideally be established between a human family and a single dog?

The process of building this ideal relationship is called training (discipline).

Like wolves, dogs operate according to the rules of a hierarchical society.

It is not a matter of good or bad, like or dislike; rather, dogs are instinctively animals that seek to establish rank within the group.

They tend to perceive a human family itself as a “pack” in which a hierarchy must be formed.

Once the hierarchy is defined and reaffirmed through regular social signals, the dog attains psychological stability.

In other words, training is the act of creating a sense of mental calm for the dog, and it is crucial that the owner take the lead in clarifying the order of ranks.

3. Fundamental Disciplinary Actions and Key Points

It is important for humans to understand and practice behaviors that align with the dog’s social rules.

Specifically, the following actions function as leadership displays that confirm the owner’s dominance:

1.     Gently hold the dog’s muzzle with your hand.

2.     Turn the dog onto its back and gently stroke its abdomen (inguinal area).

3.     Hold the dog from behind, lightly enclosing its body.

Each of these gestures conveys to the dog that the human occupies the higher position in the pack.

Additionally, when the dog looks into the owner’s eyes, and the human deliberately breaks eye contact or ignores the gaze, this too communicates the human’s superior rank.

These gestures must be consistent across all family members.

Not only the head of the household, but every family member, including children, should adopt the same attitude.

Through this consistency, the dog avoids confusion and comes to accept the household as a single, orderly pack.

4. Puppy Behavior and Human Response

At around 50 days of age, puppies are highly curious and show interest in everything.When allowed to roam the living room, they may begin to play by pulling at furniture, fabrics, or newspapers.

During this stage, the owner must act as a substitute for the mother, engaging in play while also providing restraint and teaching social boundaries.

For example, when a puppy places its front paws on the owner’s leg and humps—an act known as mounting—it is performing a dominance behavior for hierarchical confirmation.

A mother dog will tolerate such behavior for a time, but eventually retaliates:she flips the puppy onto its back, stands over it, growls softly, and gently holds its muzzle.

The puppy yelps submissively in response.

Through this instinctive act, the mother dog is teaching her pup the rules of canine society.

Humans, on the other hand, tend to treat puppies affectionately, as they would an infant.

However, such human expressions of affection can sometimes be interpreted as submissive gestures in canine social terms.

For instance, when a person sits on the floor at the dog’s eye level and speaks to a dog resting on the sofa, this appears to the dog as a posture of lower rank.From the standpoint of training, such behaviors should be avoided.

5. Conclusion

Dogs are instinctively animals that seek social order within the group.

Training is not about forcing obedience, but about establishing an order that allows the dog to follow peacefully and with confidence.

When humans understand the canine social structure and interact with consistent behavior, dogs can live calmly alongside them.

The true essence of good training lies in the balance between affection and order—these two elements together form the foundation of a harmonious human–dog relationship.