09/30/2025
This has been such an amazing week—I can’t tell you how exciting it is to watch the natural communication and learning that happens between dogs.
I had a young Doberman (about 14 months old, unneutered) come for boarding. At that age, Dobermans are still very much puppies, often lacking social skills and impulse control. To set him up for success, I introduced him to my pack one dog at a time, starting with the right personalities.
👉 Why this matters (based on dog behavior research):
• Reduce Stress: Slow, calm introductions prevent a dog from feeling overwhelmed.
• Build Confidence: Meeting a calm, stable dog first helps them learn appropriate social cues.
• Prevent Conflict: Dogs communicate primarily through body language—choosing the right role model makes all the difference.
For the first introduction, I chose Scout—my steady, playful, and reliable dog whom I have full control over. As expected, the Doberman (Benny) came rushing in with zero social etiquette and jumped on Scout. Scout gave him a quick, appropriate correction with a growl and snap. The best part? Benny accepted it immediately and adjusted his behavior. That was a huge learning moment.
Next, I introduced him to another dog in my pack—this one doesn’t enjoy play and prefers space. When Benny walked up casually to sniff his face, that dog simply showed teeth (no growl, no lunge). Benny got the message and backed off. Another important lesson learned: not every dog wants to interact.
Finally came the big challenge—meeting Duke, my 8 ½-year-old dog who absolutely demands respect. By this point, Benny had already experienced two valuable corrections from the other dogs. So when he approached Duke, he made the smartest choice possible—he laid down, tail tucked, avoiding eye contact. He instinctively showed respect, and Duke accepted it. Within minutes, Duke realized Benny meant no challenge, relaxed, and moved on.
I caught that last interaction on video. You can see Duke’s upright posture and steady stare while Benny stays in a calm down, not even glancing at him. The shift is beautiful—once respect was shown, Duke no longer cared.
This is exactly how dogs teach each other proper social behavior. With the right environment, safe supervision, and good role models, they learn respect, boundaries, and communication far better than we could ever explain to them.
